JACKSONVILLE – Getting here wasn't easy for the offensive line.

The Jaguars are now 3-1 through four games of the 2025 regular season – and a big reason is an offensive line that perhaps faced its toughest adversity of the season in the biggest victory to date.

The unit played gutty this past Sunday in a victory that was as important as it was difficult.

"I think it goes to how those guys prepare," Robert Hainsey said,

Hainsey, the Jaguars' veteran center, spoke to the media Monday – a day after the Jaguars’ 26-21 victory over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. The entire Jaguars team responded to adversity and change in the game, perhaps most notably an offensive line that continued to play at a high level.

"Those guys did a great job, the whole unit," Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said following the game.

The Jaguars on Sunday did not allow Lawrence to be sacked, the second time in four games this season that has been the case. They also did not allow a hit on Lawrence, with the Jaguars also rushing for 151 yards – the third time in four games they have rushed for at least 139 yards.

"Another game with no sacks is always going to be a positive," Hainsey said. "The protection felt really good. I think you can feel the line, as a group, trying to continuously improve on things."

The offensive line on Sunday played through injuries, with right guard Patrick Mekari missing 18 snaps with a knee issue and right tackle Anton Harrison missing 22 snaps with an elbow issue.

Guard Ezra Cleveland continued to play through an ankle issue, with veteran reserves Chuma Edoga and Cole Van Lanen on Sunday playing 22 and 19 snaps, respectively.

"It's hard to just come in when you haven't had a lot of reps with that starting unit and guys filling in and playing well," Lawrence said. "Hats off to them. They protected well, we ran the ball great and did what we needed to do.

"They gave me plenty of time back there. Those guys did an awesome job and that's a hard job to come in as an offensive lineman and at the drop of a pin have to go in and protect, especially on a third-down, and those guys stepped up. So they did a great job."

Added Head Coach Liam Coen, "To have seven guys be a part of that up front, and be able to go in and not miss a beat – and to play physically and violently – right now when we play well up front good things happen for us."

"It's definitely a testament to the way that they're preparing, the way that they're coaching it, the way those guys are learning it. And studying to make sure that when they go in, we're not having this huge drop off. That was big time."

Hainsey – who spent much of last season as a reserve with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – said in addition to weekly preparation, a key is being mentally ready throughout the game.

"Across the board in that room, we all take everything very seriously," Hainsey said. "You're kind of watching the whole game and every player is kind of checking to see if everyone gets up or not. When someone doesn't, you just have to be ready to rock and trust your preparation, trust your technique and fundamentals.

"Those guys came in and did a great job."

Hainsey, a Jaguars captain, particularly noted Harrison finishing Sunday's game after leaving in the second quarter. Hainsey called Harrison "tough as nails" and added the performance "was really cool to see."

"He is a staple in our room and he's going to continue to play like that and continue to elevate himself," Hainsey said.

The Jaguars throughout the offseason emphasized not only a strong offensive line, but a deep one – signing Edoga, Mekari and Hainsey as unrestricted free agents and selecting guard Wyatt Milum and center Jonah Monheim in the 2025 NFL Draft.

"It's rare you get through any season in any position group with no injuries," Hainsey said. "It was great to see those guys get an opportunity and take advantage and continue to just continue to elevate the entire room. Those are things you need to have success in this league.

"You have to have depth. You have to have guys who are ready to come in whenever. It's not an easy spot to be in. A ton of credit to them."

NOTABLE

• The Jaguars through four games rank fourth in the NFL in rushing, with running back Travis Etienne Jr. this past Sunday registering his second 100-yard game of the season: 124 yards and a 48-yard touchdown on 19 carries. The Jaguars have rushed for 139 yards or more in three of four games this season after reaching that mark twice in 2024. "There's a lot to come out of that game that we can get better at," Hainsey said. "I think we left a lot out there. It's about continuing to find those things that we can improve on and raise our technique and fundamentals just to keep opening holes for our backs. They're just doing a great job reading it, hitting it, and getting downhill." Added Hainsey, "We haven't reached the level we're capable of yet, which is exciting."