Cecil Shorts will not play, Maurice Jones-Drew a game-time decision
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew (32) runs up the middle to set up a field goal at the end of in the second quarter against the Houston Texans at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
The Jacksonville Jaguars listed Maurice Jones-Drew as doubtful and Cecil Shorts as questionable for today’s game against the Buffalo Bills, but it actually sounds like MJD has a better chance at playing than Shorts. That goes against both the Jaguars injury report and most people’s expectations coming into today’s game. Both players were always expected to be a game-time decisions, but it looks like only Jones-Drew’s status will be decided in pre-game warm-ups.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Cecil Shorts will not play today, and it will be his first missed game of the 2013 season. Shorts is one of the toughest receivers in the game, and he actually played through (and played well, too) an SC sprain earlier this year. This groin injury, however, will keep him out of today’s game, and Shorts stated earlier this week that he will need surgery on it upon the completion of the season. Losing Shorts for today’s game hurts, and it would be difficult to envision the Jaguars winning without both Shorts and Jones-Drew.
Schefter reports that Jones-Drew will be a game-time decision due to the hamstring injury, and I honestly don’t expect him to play. He’s listed doubtful, and just about the only thing supporting Jones-Drew’s chances of playing is his own determination to play during the end of the season in a contract year. I expect the Jaguars to hold him out of today’s game, since hamstring issues are tricky and significant for older backs like MJD. He could play and will be given a fair chance, but I wouldn’t start him in fantasy.