JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A.J. Cann has been the Jaguars' starter at right guard for three seasons. Despite some speculation pointed in the opposite direction, the former third-round pick believes his spot within the Jaguars' offensive line will stay intact for a fourth-straight year.
Cann was sidelined throughout the entirety of organized team activities with an undisclosed injury over the last three weeks. He spent workouts in the trainer's room or working on a separate field from his teammates. His absence from drills led to an opportunity for fellow veteran lineman Josh Walker.
Jaguars offensive line coach Pat Flaherty then triggered speculation regarding movement at the position when he said the right guard spot would "work itself out" during the second week of OTAs. Walker was on the team last year and the coaching staff has been impressed by his contributions during his first offseason in Jacksonville.
With no choice but to watch from the sidelines, Cann hasn't been able to temper the external gossip. He has seen the headlines and social media speculation but the chatter hasn't impacted his morale.
"You really don't pay attention to the stuff that's going on but when you see something like that, it makes you want to work hard and get out there as quick as you can," Cann said Thursday. "But this offensive line, it's a unit and whoever is up there, they are going to play their best for the team."
Cann has been working to get back on the field. While he wants to be participating in workouts, he is relying on the Jaguars' coaching and training staffs to determine his return to the lineup.
"I'm taking care of [the injury] in the training room, doing individual drills, making sure I can still do what I can do but anything else as far as playing time and when I'll be back, you've got to talk to the training staff and the coaches," Cann said.
Entering a contract year, Cann has started 44 games at right guard during his NFL career. If the 26-year-old lineman hopes to cash in next offseason, he will need to retain his place in the Jaguars' starting lineup.
Flaherty has asked Cann to improve in certain areas of his game heading into their second season together. Cann has taken those suggestions to heart and wants to follow through on the advice when he returns to the field.
"Just staying square and making sure my footwork is where it needs to be," Cann said. "And I think once I capitalize on my footwork, the physical talent is there and everything is there, I've just got to mentally put my mind where it is and anything is possible."
As of right now, Cann can only focus on the mental side of his game. The physical aspect of his preparation will only come when Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone clears him to participate.
Though Cann was able to rest throughout OTAs, Marrone still isn't sure if the offensive lineman will return before the month-long break between mandatory minicamp and training camp.
"He’s out there now in a limited role," Marrone said Friday.
"I think we’re just trying to be cautious and see what happens when the mandatory minicamp comes. I wouldn’t be surprised if he takes a couple of reps, but I think he will go in that same category of risk [versus] reward. Get him in there and if there is a little bit high level of risk, it’s probably not worth it for the three days and he can just continue the way he has. Or [the trainers say], ‘Hey listen, we really don’t see a lot of risk and he can go out there and take a couple of plays.’ I would let him go out there.”
Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter at @Mike_E_Kaye.