Jaguars HC Doug Marrone provides update on PUP players, COVID-19 list

As of yesterday, the Jaguars had eight players listed on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list, including starting quarterback Gardner Minshew II, safety Andrew Wingard, wide receiver Michael Walker, cornerback Parry Nickerson, tight end Charles Jones, offensive linemean Ryan Pope and Tre’Your Wallace-Simms and running back Ryquell Armstead.

The team also has two players, CB DJ Hayden (knee) and TE James O’Shaughnessy (knee) on the active/PUP list. Both players, according to Marrone, should be fine as we head into training camp.

Only safety Ronnie Harrison is currently absent from team activities after celebrating the birth of his son over the weekend.

Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone understands the caution and patience one must take this season amid the coronavirus pandemic. Yesterday, he provided an updated on multiple updates on players and the precautions the team is taking to avoid positive COVID-19 tests.

“I’m happy with where James is,” said Marrone, providing an update on O’Shaughnessy. “I would not be surprised … He has worked extremely hard. [I would not be surprised] if at some point during this period that we are in now [he comes off PUP]. When I say period we are in now, I’m saying from now until the start of the season, that he comes off of it, which is a good thing.”

O’Shaughnessy first injured his knee during a week five matchup against the Carolina Panthers, tearing his ACL and ending his season.

Hayden underwent a minor procedure during the offseason that the team was well aware of.

“If we would have been able to bring him in here [he could have rehabbed here] but because of the pandemic we were not able to do that. Obviously, we are just being cautious with that and making sure that he’s fine.”

Neither the Jaguars, nor Marrone are able to provide an update on a specific player listed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, however, he did mention Minshew should be available “soon.”

“I think they are [being careful]. Some of the things that occur can happen to any of us,” Marrone said when asked why the team has so many players on the reserve/COVID-19 list. “If [Director of Public Relations] Tad [Dickman] tests positive tomorrow, I’m out for the day tomorrow. I have been in contact with Tad. Those things occur.

Any Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 2M or Tier 3 individual who comes in “close contact”, defined as within six (6) feet of someone for at least fifteen (15) consecutive minutes, or being in direct contact with secretions from a sick person with COVID-19, must be quarantined.

These are the hurdles coaches and players around the league are dealing with today.

“I think these lessons that we are learning now is something that is going to be more beneficial for us when the season comes. I think that to go through it and experience it, I do not think anyone is being negligent. I really don’t believe that. Everyone understands what is at stake, a roster spot or what is going on or missing time.”

Marrone wouldn’t look too far into the future when asked if he’s optimistic that the season will be completed considering the current state of the NFL and the world as a whole through the pandemic, but he did say he feels plenty confident in the protocols set in place.

“I do not know what this virus can do or pick up or however it may go. What I look at is what we are doing right now safety-wise and again, there is constant communication with the league and the doctors,” Marrone explained. “We are constantly trying to create an environment where it is safer and safer. When I see that, obviously you feel pretty good. If I did not feel good, I would not be here if I thought it was a high risk. I think that is what a lot of us are going through. We’re looking at it.”