JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars' offensive-line health was a lingering concern most of the preseason.
It's a pressing one now.
Cam Robinson, the Jaguars' projected starting left tackle, was listed as "doubtful" with a knee injury Friday on the team's final Week 1 injury report – an indication he likely will not play against the Kansas City Chiefs in Sunday's 2019 regular-season opener at TIAA Bank Field.
Will Richardson Jr., a second-year veteran who never has played an NFL snap, will start at left tackle Sunday according to Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone.
"Let's go," Richardson said Friday when asked his reaction to the news.
Marrone, who called his comfort level with Richardson "very high," said Robinson's latest injury is to his right knee and not his surgically repaired left knee.
"It was the other knee," Marrone said. "He was set in pass protection and his right knee just gave out. That's it."
Robinson, who missed the last 14 games last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, played six preseason snaps as the team was cautious with his return. Marrone declined to speculate on when Robinson might return from his latest issue.
"I just take things day by day," Marrone said. "The guys who can play, play. The guys that can't, don't. What else am I going to do? I'm not a doctor. I can't predict anything. I have no clue whatsoever."
Richardson will start because in addition to Robinson being doubtful, swing tackle Cedric Ogbuehi – the backup at both right and left tackle – is out with a hamstring injury sustained in a Preseason Week 3 loss at Miami. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor and left guard Andrew Norwell also missed time in preseason with injuries, but both have been full go for multiple weeks and are expected to start Sunday.
The rest of the Jaguars' Friday injury report: defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (elbow, questionable) and tight end Josh Oliver (hamstring, out). Quarterback Nick Foles (oblique), wide receiver Marqise Lee (knee), linebacker Quincy Williams (knee), linebacker Lerentee McCray (ankle) and linebacker D.J. Alexander (hamstring) all were removed from the report and are expected to be full Sunday.
Richardson said he learned Friday he would start Sunday.
Marrone, who limited the Jaguars' starters to essentially one quarter of preseason playing time to reduce injuries, was asked if the Jaguars' left-tackle situation is reminiscent of last season when injuries wrecked the offensive line.
"I think we're in better shape, to be honest with you," Marrone said.
Richardson, a fourth-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft from North Carolina State, did not play as a rookie because of injuries. He worked at various line positions including left tackle at times in the offseason and early in training camp before focusing on right guard, where he has been pushing veteran A.J. Cann for the starting role.
"We were going to get him out there working at tackle, then he started really playing well and he was competing for the right guard spot," Marrone said. "We kind of nixed that, then we had him competing for right guard. Now, we've got him playing tackle."
While Richardson said Friday afternoon he has taken reps at both positions in the last week and a half, most of his college experience and NFL tackle experience has come on the right side.
"That's probably one of the biggest things – just getting used to the technique and getting used to the feeling of it," Richardson said. "As far as play, it's the same position and same plays. On the right side when I hear a play, on the left side it's now the opposite of what I normally do. Other than that, it's football.
"As far as the footwork, I feel like the biggest thing is knowing your technique at tackle. If you know your technique at right tackle, then it's just getting used to it at left."
