The Jacksonville Jaguars have had a busy week on the defensive line and that continued on Friday. According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, defensive end Josh Mauro has been suspended for five games by the NFL due to violating the league’s performance-enhancing substance policy.
Earlier this week, both Rodney Gunter and Aaron Lynch, who both signed with Jacksonville this offseason, retired from the league. Now, Mauro, who also signed with the Jaguars in free agency, is going to miss the beginning of the 2020 season. This is the second time he’s been suspended for PEDs in his career.
Before signing with Jacksonville this offseason, Mauro spent last season with the then-Oakland Raiders. In his lone season with the Raiders, Mauro struggled to produce stats in the box score, tallying just 19 tackles and zero sacks.
Given his lack of production so far in his career, he was likely going to compete for playing time this season. However, seeing that he’s suspended for the first five games, his fate with the team could be made already.
Entering the 2020 season, the Jaguars are ecstatic to see the potential duo of Josh Allen and K’Lavon Chaisson. Allen showed plenty of promise as a rookie last season, notching 10.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
In the grand scheme of things, losing Mauro isn’t a colossal loss for the Jaguars given the uncertainty of him making the roster. Nevertheless, Jacksonville could be in the market for a defensive end after losing two to retirement and one to suspension in the first five games.