JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars' offensive line has a big-time challenge Sunday.
That would be true under any circumstance – and the line faced a somewhat tricky circumstance on the injury front Wednesday as it began preparing for that challenge.
Starting right guard A.J. Cann, who missed a victory over Cincinnati this past Sunday with a triceps issue, was expected to practice on a limited basis Wednesday as the Jaguars began preparing to play the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday.
Left guard Patrick Omameh (knee) and right tackle Jermey Parnell (knee) also were expected to practice limited Wednesday, Marrone said.
"We'll see how the week goes," Marrone said as the Jaguars (5-3) began preparing to play the Chargers (3-5) at EverBank Field Sunday at 1 p.m. "Three of them are limited. Hopefully, they'll all be back. We've got to get them back out there from a practice standpoint and see if they're ready to play."
With Cann out this past Sunday, the Jaguars moved starting center Brandon Linder to right guard and kept Tyler Shatley at center. Shatley had started the previous three games at center while Linder missed with an illness. Marrone on Monday said keeping Linder at guard and Shatley at center was a possibility if Cann remained out.
Linder, who played right guard in his first two seasons, practiced sparingly at right guard last week before faring well against perennial Pro Bowl tackle Geno Atkins.
"I think he's proven we can throw him out there at the last minute," Marrone said with a laugh. "I told him, 'Hey, just be ready. You can play any one of the five [offensive-line positions].' I told him that the other day when I saw him. He laughed. We took a couple sets at tackle in the hallway.
"Until we know for sure, then that is when we'll start making those moves. Otherwise, we just want to prepare him for his position. He's an outstanding football player and a bright player. We can get some extra work with him afterwards if we have to."
Left tackle Cam Robinson, who was listed as questionable throughout last week with an ankle issue and who left Sunday's game briefly, was not listed on the pre-practice injury report Wednesday. That means he is expected to practice full.
Marrone on Wednesday lauded Robinson's toughness, saying he joked with Robinson on the field Sunday when he reinjured his ankle.
"I said, 'How many plays are you going to miss because of your ankle?''' Marrone said. "He's like, 'I'm fine. I'm ready to go.' So he's a tough kid, he really is. He loves playing. During the week, [I asked him] 'Are you going to be able to play this week?' He's like, 'Don't, don't, don't ever ask me that. I'm playing. I'll tell you if I'm not playing.' Easy big guy, you don't need to tell us if you're not playing. The doctors will say if you're not playing.
"My point in that is that's his mentality, that's how he is. I know I appreciate that from a coaching standpoint. He's a tough kid."
Marrone called Chargers pass rushers Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram "probably the best tandem of defensive ends" in the NFL.
"It will be a big challenge, especially our tackles," Marrone said. "You're going to have your hands full all day with those two players."
Both Bosa and Ingram have 8.5 sacks this season. Marrone noted the motor of both players, and said Ingram's quickness stands out. Of Bosa – the No. 3 overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft, Marrone added: "He's outstanding. You can't look at him like a two-year player. Technically he's as good as anyone you would see."
Also on Wednesday:
*Wide receiver Marqise Lee and defensive tackle Marcell Dareus were the lone Jaguars players not expected to practice. Lee was listed as not likely to practice because of a knee issue while quarterback Blake Bortles (right wrist), wide receiver Arrelious Benn (groin), Cann (triceps), Omameh (knee) and Parnell (knee) were listed as likely to practice. Dareus was expected to miss because of an illness. Lee has missed practice Wednesday and Thursday before the Jaguars' last two games before practicing limited on Friday and starting on Sunday. …
*Marrone said he doubts former Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley now being the Chargers' defensive coordinator will have much effect on the Jaguars' game plan: "It's not the first time these things have happened. It happens quite a bit. I think you just concentrate on who you are and get yourself ready to go. … You still have to go out there and the players that are on the field have to perform." …
