Jaguars TE Marcedes Lewis misses practice; could miss week 1
By Brad Rowland
On a team that is offensively challenged (to say the least), a high-impact tight end can be extremely valuable. However, the Jacksonville Jaguars could be without their starting tight end when it is time to kick off in week one.
Marcedes Lewis missed his second consecutive day of practice for the Jaguars on Thursday, and those practices compounded an already-existing issue that saw him miss the team’s final three preseason games. The 29-year-old Lewis is suffering from a strained left calf, and according to various reports, a re-aggrevation of that injury is the cause for the newest setback.
It is far from determined that Lewis will miss the team’s Sunday game against Kansas City, but new head coach Gus Bradley was vocal to the media on Thursday that the future will be taken in high consideration. Lewis put up a nice season in 2012 with 52 catches, 540 yards, and 4 touchdowns, but he flashed higher upside in 2010 with 700 yards and 10 touchdowns.
There are loud whispers that Jacksonville plans to feature Lewis this season in attempt to help young quarterback Blaine Gabbert, but it will be difficult to do so if Lewis lacks explosiveness. It is clear at this stage that he’ll be limited in week one if and when he takes the field, but it is critical for Jacksonville to get off to a strong start for 2013, and they’ll need him for the long haul.