Andrew

Norwell

Norwell is battling an elbow injury and was placed on the PUP list on May 30th. The 31-year-old vet started 16 games for the Commanders last season, earning a PFF grade of 59.8. Once healthy, Norwell should be able to secure a spot as added depth on a roster if hopes to continue playing.

It removes him from the 90-man roster and will likely grease the wheels for a release later. Norwell started 16 games last year, but the team did not seem to have any interest in bringing him back. The injury, per John Keim of ESPN, is a right elbow issue. Norwell turns 32 in October and should be able to find a backup role elsewhere if he’s interested in it.

Ron Rivera neglected to mention the veteran in a rundown of candidates to start at left guard along with Chris Paul and Saahdiq Charles. A post-June 1 release of Norwell would save $4.38 million. The veteran could be a stopgap solution for some team if he hits the market.

Norwell, 30, played for coach Ron Rivera in Carolina, and he now fills a big need on Rivera’s Commanders squad after they released LG Ereck Flowers and saw RG Brandon Scherff walk in free agency to sign with Jacksonville. Norwell was once of the best guards in football when he left the Panthers. He was Pro Football Focus’ No. 55 guard last season, receiving solid marks in pass protection. It’s a solid short-term get for the Commanders.

It’s been an uneventful three years for Norwell since the Jags made him one of the league’s highest-paid guards. His play has slipped from its All-Pro level in Carolina as the Jags’ offense has gone nowhere. Headed into his age-30 campaign, Norwell has also missed time with injury two of the past three years. Due $12 million in 2021, it will probably be a tough trade market for the veteran interior lineman. Norwell’s release would free up $9 million in space for the Jags, a number that increases to $12 million if he is designated a post-June 1 cut.

Norwell is one of Jacksonville’s best players on offense. It’s very tough scenes for in-pocket skyscraper Mike Glennon, who will be without D.J. Chark and Chris Conley on Sunday. Luckily the Browns are just as beat up on defense this week with soft-tissue injuries and COVID-19 positives running through the facility.

Previously due $11.5 million non-guaranteed, the organization restructured Norwell’s contract as to gift him $9 million guaranteed with another $2.5 million available in incentives. Jacksonville was previously listening to offers to shed the remaining three years of his contract, but that was always a tough sell. Releasing him would create $5.5 million in cap space but leave behind $9 million in dead money.

However, La Canfora adds “return likely not great.” Norwell has been a bust relative to the massive free agent contract he signed in 2018. Releasing him would create $5.5 million in cap space but leave behind $9 million in dead money. Still only 28 years old, Linder is signed through 2022. He remained solid in 2019.

Coach Doug Marrone said it’s unclear if Norwell requires surgery. It’s an inglorious end to Norwell’s first highly-paid campaign in Jacksonville. Norwell did do his job when on the field, earning typically high marks from Pro Football Focus. It is worth noting they were down from his elite 2017, however. Now 27, Norwell will be missing his first games since 2015. He should be ready to rock for training camp next summer. Norwell is signed through 2022.

It is ultimately good news after Norwell had to be carted off the field on Sunday. Even so, the injury leaves the Jaguars even thinner along the offensive line. Considering Jacksonville’s almost non-existent playoff chances, it would not be surprising if Norwell is shut down.