Jacksonville Jaguars face the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, hoping for another win and clinching the division title, but that might be more difficult without Marqise Lee. The team’s leading receiver was ruled out due to an ankle injury, the team announced on Friday. Lee suffered an injury in the Jaguars 45-7 victory over Houston Texans and didn’t participate in practices.
Drafted by the Jaguars as the 39th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Lee struggled in his first two seasons with the team. In 2016, however, he had 851 yards and 3 touchdowns, showing signs of promise. This season, he leads the Jaguars with 56 receptions and 702 receiving yards. The game against the 49ers will be the first he will miss since Week 9 of 2015 season.
Another receiver, Allen Hurns, might not play for the Jags on Sunday. He suffered a sprained ankle in Week 10’s 20-17 win against the Los Angeles Chargers. Hurns made a return to practice on Wednesday, but on a limited basis. Before his injury, he had 36 catches for 446 yards alongside two touchdowns.
“He’s working hard to get back,” – said Jaguars’ head coach Doug Marrone for the team’s official website. “We’ve got to look at today, see where we are, then we have tomorrow (Saturday) and the flight, then obviously we’ll make a decision.“
If both Hurns also remains out with Lee, the duo will be replaced by Jaguars’ young receivers Keelan Cole, Dede Westbrook and Jaydon Mickens. Cole and Mickens already showed that they can be difference makers in the game against the Texans. Cole had seven receptions for 186 yards and a touchdown, while Mickens got two touchdowns which were also the first ones in his career.
