Jaguars put $51 Million lineman Cole Van Lanen on PUP list as camp opens

Jacksonville placed 2022 draft pick and recently re‑signed offensive tackle Cole Van Lanen on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list just before the start of training camp, meaning the $51 million contract player will miss the opening weeks of practice. The move, announced alongside fellow lineman Garrett DiGiorgio, reshapes the Jaguars’ offensive‑line depth chart heading into the 2026 season.

Core developments

The Jaguars confirmed that both Van Lanen and DiGiorgio are on the PUP list as of the first day of camp. The club’s official roster‑move bulletin listed the two offensive linemen together, noting the designation before training camp and emphasizing that the status applies to the start of the preseason schedule Jacksonville Jaguars. Van Lanen’s placement was highlighted in multiple outlets, with Yahoo Sports reporting that the team’s decision makes him unavailable for the first practices of camp Yahoo Sports. Big Cat Country echoed the news, stressing that the veteran tackle will open camp on the list Big Cat Country. The FL Times‑Union also covered the move, noting the timing as “before camp” and confirming the PUP status FL Times‑Union.

Van Lanen, who signed a five‑year extension worth $51 million, is the highest‑paid lineman on the roster. His contract figure was highlighted by Yahoo Sports in a separate story that called him a “$51 Million lineman” placed on PUP Yahoo Sports. The designation does not affect his salary; the contract remains fully guaranteed, but the player cannot practice or play until he is activated.

Sports Illustrated offered a deeper look at what the PUP label means for a player in Van Lanen’s situation. The outlet explained that a player on the active/PUP list must sit out at least the first six regular‑season games, after which the team has a window to either activate him, move him to injured reserve, or release him Sports Illustrated. The article also clarified that the PUP designation is distinct from injured reserve because it applies before a player participates in any practice or game during the season.

Why it matters

The Jaguars entered the offseason with a clear intention to solidify their offensive line, a unit that struggled with consistency in the 2025 campaign. Van Lanen’s contract signaled the front office’s belief that he would be a cornerstone at left tackle, protecting quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s blind side. Losing him for the early portion of camp forces the coaching staff to rely on younger players and backups, such as rookie right‑tackle Caleb Bennett and veteran swing‑tackle Garrett DiGiorgio, to fill the void.

From a roster‑management perspective, the PUP list allows Jacksonville to retain Van Lanen’s full salary cap hit while freeing a 53‑man roster spot for an additional player during preseason. This flexibility is crucial as the Jaguars continue to add depth through the draft and free agency. It also means the team can evaluate other linemen in live reps without the immediate pressure of replacing a $51 million starter.

Financially, the decision underscores the risk inherent in large contracts for interior linemen. While the PUP list does not reduce Van Lanen’s cap hit, it does prevent the team from having to make a difficult cut if his recovery were slower than expected. The move therefore protects both the player’s health and the organization’s financial flexibility.

Reactions

Team officials have been measured in their public comments. The Jaguars’ director of player personnel, in a brief statement to the press, said the organization is “optimistic about Cole’s recovery” and that the PUP designation “gives us the roster flexibility we need while we continue his rehab” Jacksonville Jaguars. No direct quotes were provided by coaches or teammates in the sources reviewed.

Local analysts expressed mixed feelings. Big Cat Country noted that while the loss of a starting tackle is a setback, the timing of the move “allows the Jaguars to keep a roster spot for a potential replacement” and that “the depth on the line has improved since last season” Big Cat Country. Sports Illustrated’s analysis was more technical, emphasizing that Van Lanen’s eventual activation will depend on meeting the league‑mandated six‑week window and that “the Jaguars will have to decide whether to keep him on the active roster or shift him to injured reserve if his health does not progress” Sports Illustrated.

What’s next

Van Lanen will remain on the active/PUP list throughout the first six weeks of the regular season. Jacksonville can activate him at any point after week six, provided he passes a physical and is cleared by team doctors. If the player is not ready by the end of the six‑week window, the team must either move him to injured reserve—ending his season—or keep him on the PUP list for the remainder of the year, a scenario that would force the Jaguars to rely on their backups for the bulk of the season.

In the meantime, the Jaguars are expected to give more reps to younger linemen during camp, with the possibility of additional free‑agent signings to bolster the line. The coaching staff, led by head coach Doug Pederson, will likely use the early weeks to experiment with line configurations, testing the versatility of swing players like DiGiorgio and evaluating the progress of recently drafted offensive tackles.

As the season approaches, the key question for Jacksonville fans will be when—if at all—Van Lanen returns to the field, and whether his absence will have a lasting impact on the team’s pass‑protection metrics. The Jaguars’ front office will need to balance the player’s health timeline with the performance of his replacements, a dynamic that could shape the offensive line’s effectiveness for the entire 2026 campaign.