Jacksonville Jaguars

Jaguars remain high on LT Joeckel despite Week 17 struggles

Published Jan. 7, 2016 1:25 a.m. ET

foxsports

Jacksonville Jaguars left tackle Luke Joeckel struggled mightily in the team's season-ending loss to the Houston Texans, but general manager David Caldwell said Tuesday the Jaguars remain pleased with the three-year veteran.

Joeckel gave up five sacks in the 30-6 defeat, but Caldwell said the former No. 2 overall draft pick had shown signs of progress outside of his Week 17 performance. In particular, the general manager said he was pleased with the attitude Joeckel displayed throughout the season.

Via Jacksonville's official website :

“I think he’s been pretty resilient especially after what he’s gone through the first two years,” Caldwell said. “I know there have been a lot of people critical of his play the first two years, and to come back and have the season that he had up until that last game was pretty good. I would say his mental toughness, I don’t have any questions with that.”

Joeckel started 14 games at left tackle and was part of line that gave up 51 sacks, fourth-most in the NFL. While the number of sacks allowed remained high, the 51 sacks marked a steep drop for a season earlier when the Jaguars allowed a league-high 71 sacks.