Marcedes Lewis, Stephen Burton, Dwight Lowery Injury Updates

Jacksonville Jaguars free safety Dwight Lowery (25) during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be missing a number of players for Sunday’s AFC South showdown against the Indianapolis Colts, but the bright side is that the Jaguars will be getting tight end Marcedes Lewis back for his 2013 season debut. Blaine Gabbert will be starting this week, and he absolutely loves throwing it to his tight end. Having Lewis back is a big key for Gabbert, who should be able to find him in the red zone on Sunday and will have a steady target to throw it to and move the chains. I’m sure Jaguars fans aren’t doing this, but don’t sleep on Lewis’s impact as a blocker, and I’m sure Maurice Jones-Drew will be happy with the positive effect that Marcedes Lewis bring sto the Jaguars running game.

Now to the down side. Justin Blackmon is still a week away from returning from his suspension, and ESPN NFL Nation’s Michael DiRocco writes that both Stephen Burton and Mike Brown will miss Sunday’s game against the Colts. Burton took over as the Jaguars No. 2 receiver last week, and South Carolina Gamecocks rookie Ace Sanders will resume his previous role as the No. 2 wideout with Burton out with a concussion.

The Jaguars are also going to miss their starting free safety, and the Jaguars decision to rule Dwight Lowery out for Sunday’s game definitely comes as no surprise. Lowery was never even cleared to practice after suffering a concussion, and he’s still a way’s off. Florida Gators rookie Josh Evans will start in his place, and the Jaguars are hobbled at both receiver and defensive back.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter for more NFL updates and analysis @SorianoJoe. Be sure to like us on Facebook here and follow our site on Twitter as well.