Jaguars offensive line catches a break vs. Bills

The Buffalo Bills have been making the transition to a 3-4 defense, and they've been adding solid additions to their 3 man defensive line. In the 2011 NFL Draft, the Bills selected defensive lineman Marcell Dareus from Alabama. Dareus has been fantastic by all accounts thus far into the season, but suffered and ankle injury during practice this week that left him on crutches.

Murphy reports that Dareus was kicked in the calf during Wednesday's afternoon practice, which was closed to media. While Murphy's sources tell him that the injury is not too serious, they also caution that Dareus could miss a little time.

 I wouldn't expect Dareus to play on Saturday, so for a Jaguars offensive line that's struggling in pass protection with new bodies on the line, it will be a welcome "miss" for the team.

Without Dareus on the line, who's registered a sack in each preseason game so far, it will take some pressure off a Jaguars offensive line that's stuggled so far in pass protection. The Jaguars line has given up 6 total sacks while Jaguars quarterbacks David Garrard (1) and Blaine Gabbert (5) have been in the game. Both have played significant time with the first team offensive line, and both have been under heavy pressure on virtually every snap. In total, the Jaguars offensive line has given up 14 QB hits in the two games, but I'm not entirely sure how that breaks down QB to QB.

The point at hand is however, with Dareus out, the Jaguars offensive line should have a little bit of a break dealing with the pass rush. The Bills still have Shawne Merriman, who's seemed to have a resurgence, but outside of that they're still trying to find a pass rush. The Jaguars quarterbacks should have a much better go of it this week, rather than running for their lives on nearly every snap.