The Jaguars offense has struggled to move the ball all season while playing without running back Maurice Jones-Drew and with the ineffective Blaine Gabbert at quarterback.
Things have picked up a bit in the last two weeks, though, as Chad Henne has thrown for 615 yards and six touchdowns to lead the Jags to one win and one near upset of the Texans. There’s no way to save this season, but it was at least a reason to feel hopeful about better things to come for young receivers like Justin Blackmon and Cecil Shorts.
Hope remains, although their status for this week’s game is a bit less certain than it was on Wednesday. Blackmon and Shorts each missed practice on Thursday after practicing on Wednesday, which isn’t a particularly good sign since there’s not much reason for the Jags to rest two young players who haven’t been bothered by any injuries of late.
Blackmon’s listed with a groin injury while Shorts has a hamstring injury to blame for his absence on Thursday. This is obviously something to watch for when the Jaguars get together for practice on Friday. If neither player is able to work then, it won’t bode well for their chances of facing the Bills.