Dawuane Smoot headed to Reserve/COVID-19 list, while 5 return from it

The Jacksonville Jaguar gained five players back from the Reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday after several had to be placed on it over the last few weeks. Those players were defensive lineman Malcom Brown, Jihad Ward, and DaVon Hamilton, as well as tight end Chris Manhertz and Andrew Norwell.

All of the aforementioned players went on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Monday and will be a huge help for a team that really couldn’t afford to lose any starters these last two weeks. Their returns come after the Jags also were able to gain seven players back from the list on Friday. The notables among that group included linebackers Myles Jack and Damien Wilson, as well as pass-rusher Josh Allen, and receiver Laviska Shenault Jr.

Unfortunately, Saturday’s return didn’t come without a subtraction as defensive lineman and linebacker Dawuane Smoot was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. That will put the team in a situation where they will be without the player who is second on the team in sacks (five).

Smoot’s absence could lead to more playtime for Ward, who has been a big part of the Jags’ rotation up front with 377 total defensive snaps on the season. However, if he started, it would mark his first one of the season for the veteran who was picked up in free agency this spring.