Cecil Shorts, Justin Blackmon expected to play

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Cecil Shorts III (84) walks on to the field before the start of the second half of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Jacksonville Jaguars star WRs Cecil Shorts and Justin Blackmon were both listed questionable on the team’s injury report, and there are some pressing doubts as to whether or not Shorts will be able to play today against the San Diego Chargers. I fully expect Justin Blackmon to play today, because his hamstring injury doesn’t seem serious, whereas Shorts’s SC sprain has caused him a whole lot of pain this week. He stated that he has had difficulty sleeping and taking off his jersey because of the injury, but he has always been hopeful that he will be able to suit up this week.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that both Justin Blackmon and Cecil Shorts are expected to play today, and that’s fantastic news for the Jaguars. These players mean everything to the Jaguars offense, and Chad Henne does a significantly better job of getting them the ball than Chad Henne. Shorts has been good all year, and Blackmon has been a fantasy stud through his two games back from suspension. He put up 19 fantasy points in each contest and currently has a total of 326 receiving yards.

Shorts still isn’t in the clear, though, but hearing the NFL’s premier insider tweet that Shorts is expected to play is enough for some fantasy owners in deeper leagues to tentatively place Shorts in the starting lineup. Blackmon’s status was never truly in doubt, so it is Shorts who deserves some huge props for even putting himself in position to play in this game. Again, he’s in a huge amount of pain.

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