Walker Little to start at left tackle for Jaguars in London after Harrison placed on IR
WATFORD, U.K. Walker Little will start at left tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at Wembley Stadium after the team placed Anton Harrison on injured reserve, head coach Liam Coen announced Wednesday. Harrison sustained a knee injury in the Jaguars’ 19-17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday. Coen said Harrison will undergo a procedure when the team returns to Jacksonville and that the club will evaluate his recovery day by day.
Coen said Little, a sixth-year veteran, will move into the starting left tackle role while Cole Van Lanen remains the starter at right tackle. Little, a second-round pick in the 2021 draft, has logged 31 career starts at left tackle and has experience at both tackle spots and at guard. Van Lanen has started at both tackle positions and at guard; he began the season at right tackle after finishing last season as the team’s starting left tackle. Coen cited Little’s versatility and the Jaguars’ next-man-up mentality as reasons he felt comfortable with the change.
Coen praised Little’s performance in place of Harrison against the Eagles, saying, “He did a nice job.” He added that Little’s length helped in the run game and stressed that protection requires all 11 players, including proper chips, decision-making, timing and accuracy. Little called his performance “good” and said the matchup this week will be particularly difficult against Houston’s edge rushers, including Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter. He said he will draw on his experience and the extra reps he has taken with the interior line to be more comfortable.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence said Wednesday that Little had a great practice and that he trusts Little in the position, noting he has played a lot with him. Sunday will be Little’s first start next to rookie left guard Emmanuel Pregnon. Pregnon is a third-round selection who has started the first five games this season. The Jaguars are working during their two-game stint in the United Kingdom as they prepare for the matchup at Wembley Stadium.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Little’s move to the left side preserves continuity for an offensive line that must contend with a demanding Houston front. His 31 career starts at left tackle and his recent work with the guards should help mitigate the loss of Harrison, but the Jaguars will need coordinated protection schemes and timely chips to limit pressure from Anderson and Hunter. Maintaining Cole Van Lanen at right tackle and emphasizing quick decision-making from the quarterback will be critical if Jacksonville hopes to protect Trevor Lawrence and sustain its offensive rhythm in London.