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Jaguars Strengthen OL Depth Through Mustipher Signing
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- Jaguars Strengthen OL Depth Through Mustipher Signing
Jaguars Strengthen OL Depth Through Mustipher Signing
(Jon Durr/USA TODAY Sports)
The Jacksonville Jaguars added much-needed depth at offensive lineman by signing Sam Mustipher on Wednesday afternoon.
Mustipher has been a journeyman throughout his career and arrives in Jacksonville during a pivotal time. Trystan Colon was placed on the reserve/retired list on Tuesday after participating in last Thursday's practice.
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Colon was an experienced dual-position lineman, playing center and guard. The 28-year-old appeared in 46 games for the Baltimore Ravens , Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions .
Losing a player of his background was a tough blow given the injuries the position is facing. Cole Van Lanen and Garrett DiGiorgio were placed on the PUP list heading into training camp. Van Lanen is recovering from a knee injury he sustained in Week 18 last season and is out indefinitely until he is medically cleared.
Mustipher offers relative experience to what Colon provided. He's appeared in 65 games over the last seven years for the Chicago Bears , Los Angeles Chargers , Denver Broncos and Ravens at center or guard.
Most of his starting experience occurred in Chicago. The 6-foot-7 lineman started 40 of 43 games and played a vital role in the Bears becoming the best rushing attack in 2022 (177.3 per game), with quarterback Justin Fields rushing for 1,143 yards.
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It wasn't his first time being a significant part of a team's offense. He did the same in college at Notre Dame.
The Fighting Irish rushed for a program record 3,503 yards in 2017. Their offensive line also won the Joe Moore Award for best college football offensive line unit.
With his fifth team and injuries plaguing the position, Mustipher could carve a spot on the Jaguars' depth chart. He is reuniting with former Notre Dame teammate Robert Hainsey, whom he spent two seasons alongside in 2017 and 2018.
Jacksonville has a dynamic running back duo in Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. Both are part of a " by-committee " approach to substitute for Travis Etienne Jr.'s production after leaving in free agency.
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The coaching staff is leaning more into Tuten's strengths in training camp. Rodriguez Jr. has been impressive despite missing out on all of summer OTAs and minicamp.
Mustipher is unlikely to earn a starting role in Jacksonville, but he can become a solid rotational depth piece in times of need. He recorded a 63.4 PFF grade in 2022 with Chicago and a 67 PFF grade in Baltimore, helping quarterback Lamar Jackson make highlight runs and throws.
