Report: Jaguars' Anton Harrison Underwent Minor Shoulder Surgery Following Season
Anton Harrison had arguably the best season of any offensive tackle in 2023. That is a good thing for the Jacksonville Jaguars on several levels, the latest being the fact that Harrison did it while injured.
Harrison battled multiple minor injuries throughout the season, one of which included a shoulder injury that first popped up during training camp. And according to Demetrius Harvey of the Florida Times-Union, Harrison ultimately underwent minor shoulder surgery in the aftermath of the 2023 season.
“I go all the way back to training camp, really I think it was even in the offseason, I know in training camp he had the shoulder issue that was going on," Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said in late-December.
"Back then, you would’ve thought that this was going to bother him all year and things. But, he fought through that and he’s here at the end of the season. He’s battled through a few more injuries. I’ve been really impressed with him, how he has one handled it, he has not let it affect him. He’s working through it and he still practices every day. He practices through the injury. He’s been a pro about it. Rightfully so because he’s got some really good guys in the O-line room to coach him up and get him on the right track. I’ve been really impressed with him as a young player. He hasn’t played this much football in a long time, if ever. He still has a couple of games left this season. He’s done a nice job taking care of himself and being available for our team.”
Harrison finished the season with 17 starts under his belt, playing 96% of the Jaguars' offensive snaps and impressing the franchise weekly despite going against the likes of Chris Jones, T.J. Watt, Nick Bosa, Leonard Floyd, and other top pass-rushers throughout the season.
Harrison had the lowest pressure rate of any rookie offensive tackle in 2023 after playing the most pass-protection snaps of any rookie tackle in football in the last two seasons. Of all offensive tackles over the last two seasons with at least 700 pass-protection snaps, Harrison's 27 pressures are the second-fewest behind Brian O'Neil in 2022.
"Anton, heck of a season. He played hurt and banged up and we’ve talked about it in here, he had an edge rusher every week, just about," Pederson said at the end of the season.
"He held up really well. I know our guys talking about him know that he’s going to be a great player. That’s one we’re excited about."
