The Jacksonville Jaguars were already major long shots to beat the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Not having wide receiver Cecil Shorts for the contest might make that task near impossible.
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Shorts’ availability for Week 1 could possibly be determined on game day, coach Gus Bradley told Michael DiRocco of ESPN on Friday.
"The Jaguars listed Shorts as questionable on Friday’s injury report because of tightness in his left hamstring, and coach Gus Bradley said the team will evaluate Shorts on Saturday and Sunday before determining whether he can play or not.“I don’t want to jump too far ahead of ourselves and says it’s a strained hamstring or he’s out for two weeks,” Bradley said after Friday’s practice. “It was brought to my attention [on Thursday] he has some tightness so until we get all the faces we’ll [wait to] decide.”"
While things don’t appear to look very good for Shorts, the wideout said he’s still planning on being out there.
"“I’m preparing like I’m going to play so everything I normally do on a Friday I’ll continue to do that. Still the same process, the same routine I’m doing, and that’s what I’m going to do.”"
With the rest of the Jags receiving core being largely inexperienced, Jacksonville desperately needs Shorts. He caught 66 passes for 777 yards and three touchdowns this past season.
Shorts’ numbers probably would have looked even better had he not been catching balls from Blaine Gabbert, who has struggled mightily during his pro career.
Shorts is a real talent. With the Jags not possessing too many of those, they really can’t afford to lose him.