Last Friday, Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew said he would “definitely” play in Week 15 after injuring his hamstring in Thursday night’s victory over the Texans.
The weekend seems to have clouded the outlook up a little bit. Hays Carlyon of the Florida Times-Union reports that Jones-Drew said Monday that he hopes to return to practice on Friday, which is a schedule for the week that lends itself to a questionable designation more than a definite one.
Jones-Drew would surely like to close out the year healthy and on the field in order to make the strongest possible case for himself heading into free agency. Ending the year with injury limitations is the surest way to remind potential suitors that 30 is right around the corner and that’s not going to do much for contract offers.
Having a healthy Jones-Drew would also improve the Jaguars’ chances of finishing the year riding the same wave that has made them winners in four of their last five contests. That won’t erase the way things started, but it would be a hopeful ending note for Gus Bradley’s first year as the man in charge in Jacksonville.