{
  "id": 1643433,
  "title": "Patrick Mekari Reportedly Undergoes Back Surgery",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/patrick-mekari-reportedly-undergoes-back-surgery",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-18T05:25:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/patrick-mekari-reportedly-undergoes-back-052533084.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Denver, Colorado - December 21, 2025 - Jacksonville Jaguars right guard Patrick Mekari has recently undergone back surgery, as confirmed by multiple reports. This development raises concerns about his availability for the upcoming NFL season. Mekari, who entered the season as the projected starter at right guard, has faced back issues in the past, creating uncertainty around his recovery timeline. The Jaguars, already dealing with injuries and depth concerns along the offensive line, now face the challenge of finding a suitable replacement for Mekari. Rookie Wyatt Milum has shown promise but could see an increased opportunity to prove himself if Mekari's injury sidelines him for a significant amount of time. The Jaguars have other options, such as veteran Walker Little or rookie Emmanuel Pregnon, but their effectiveness will depend on the team's decision to restructure the offensive line. As Mekari's injury recovery progresses, the Jaguars will need to determine a starting arrangement for the right side of the offensive line, which could impact the team's performance in the preseason and beyond.",
  "summary": "Patrick Mekari’s back surgery adds another layer of uncertainty to the Jaguars’ already hobbled offensive line, raising questions about his future, and Jacksonville’s early options.",
  "key_points": [
    "Patrick Mekari underwent back surgery.",
    "Concerns about his NFL season availability.",
    "Jaguars face offensive line challenges."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Mekari's back surgery puts the Jacksonville Jaguars in a bind to find a suitable replacement, potentially elevating rookie Wyatt Milum or others like Walker Little or Emmanuel Pregnon to a starting role.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}