After an early season riddled with injuries, the Jaguars are getting healthier in some areas, but some new health concerns have surfaced.
Head injuries are the top concern after the Jaguars' 22-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. WR Laurent Robinson, CB Kevin Rutland and RB Montell Owens all were concussed in the game, and the amount of time each will miss is unknown. FBGreg Jones also took a blow to the head and missed some of the game, but was able to return.
On the positive side, RB Rashad Jennings (knee), T Cameron Bradfield (ankle) and G Eben Britton (ankle) are expected to see more extensive work in practice this week, and all could play in Week 4 against Cincinnati.
“We ran them pretty hard (Monday),” coach Mike Mularkey told the Florida Times-Union. “I’m anxious to see how they feel (Tuesday). Wednesday, we’ll start with individual drills and go from there.”
Mularkey was also pleased with how much production the Jaguars got out of CB Derek Cox in his first game of the season on Sunday. Cox got the start against the Colts after sitting out the first two weeks with a hamstring injury.
“We threw him right in there to be the starter, and he played 40 snaps," Mularkey told the Florida Times-Union."We were going to use him in a limited basis, but we felt like that was a good start for his first time back.”
"C" for Clutch for Cecil Shorts: After a disappointing 2011, WR Cecil Shorts is making up for lost time in 2012. He was a fourth-round pick in 2011, but only had two receptions during an injury plagued rookie campaign.
“Last year was rough,” Shorts told the AP. “It would have been rough for anybody. I tried my best to keep my head up, but it was tough. I’m not really even worried about that no more. I’m past that. I’m over that."
He's over that because of the big impact he's had in 2012. He has five receptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns, but it's been his clutch play that is getting him the most attention.
He had a 39-yard touchdown reception that gave the Jaguars the lead in the final moments of what turned out to be a 26-23 overtime loss to the Vikings in Week 1. He also had a game-winning 80-yard touchdown reception on Sunday. Those two plays even caught the attention of his own mom.
“My mother’s text said, ‘C Shorts and the C stands for clutch,’" Shorts told the Florida Times-Union. “My mom is pretty quiet. I was surprised to see that text from her."
Other notes:
- The Jaguars opened as a one-point underdog for Sunday's game against the Bengals, but the line, as of Wednesday morning, had already moved to 2.5 points in favor of Cincinnati.
- LB Daryl Smith (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday. He has yet to play in 2012.
For more Jaguars news and analysis, follow Daniel Lewis @CBSJags