Doug Pederson: Brandon Scherff absence would be ‘pretty substantial’
Jacksonville Jaguars guard Brandon Scherff avoided the worst case scenario Sunday when he suffered an ankle injury in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts.
According to Jaguars coach Doug Pederson, an MRI revealed that it’s a sprain for Scherff and he said the two-time team captain will be “day-to-day” as he recovers. If the guard can’t play in Week 2 and beyond, Pederson says it’ll present a real challenge for Jacksonville to overcome.
“It’s obviously a loss for the offensive line, it’s pretty substantial,” Pederson said Monday. “Yeah, his leadership with Anton [Harrison] there and the communication they’ve had and the rapport they’ve had since the offseason.
“If he can’t [play], we’re confident [Tyler] Shatley filled in well, veteran guy who knows the system will do the same thing as far as communication goes with Anton and himself. All the confidence in the world that we’ll have the answers there.”
After going down with the injury Sunday, Scherff was helped to the sideline and carted to the locker room. However, he later returned and played a few snaps before exiting the game for good.
Scherff, 31, joined the Jaguars on a three-year, $49.5 million contract in the 2022 offseason and instantly earned captainship in his first season with his new team. Prior to signing in Jacksonville, Scherff was a two-time team captain and five-time Pro Bowler with the Washington Commanders.
While Scherff hasn’t provided the same level of play that he had in Washington, his leadership and steadiness was a factor in Jawaan Taylor putting together a career-best season in 2022 and center Luke Fortner hitting the ground running as a rookie.
Earlier in the 2023 offseason, first-round rookie Anton Harrison credited Scherff with helping him get ready for his first NFL season.
“Playing beside him right now is great, just to lean on him, ask him any questions,” Harrison told the Jaguars.com podcast. “He always says ‘No question is a dumb question.’ So he’s always just helping me out with anything, trying to have me out there playing freely, playing my best.”
Shatley started 12 games at left guard during the 2022 season after Ben Bartch suffered a season-ending knee injury.
