Brett Davis-US PRESSWIRE
The Jacksonville Jaguars enter Sunday’s division match-up with the Houston Texans really banged up on both sides of the ball.
On Friday following the final practice before the game, the Jaguars have officially ruled out five of their players for Sunday.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Jaguars have already declared running back Rashad Jennings and right tackle Cameron Bradfield out on Sunday.
On the defensive side, the Jaguars declared linebacker Daryl Smith and defensive ends Austen Lane and George Selvie out.
The most troubling absences on the field on Sunday will likely be Bradfield and Smith.
Bradfield, who made the team as an undrafted rookie last season, won the starting right tackle job in training camp, but went down in the opener with an ankle injury. His replacement, last year’s starting right tackle Guy Whimper, is a complete liability in pass protection for the Jaguars and could spell doom for Blaine Gabbert’s chances to remain upright on Sunday against an excellent Texans pass rush.
Smith, who is still struggling with a groin injury he suffered early in training camp, will miss his second straight game to start the season. The Jaguars need a better performance from his replacement Kyle Bosworth if they are going to have any hope of slowing down Arian Foster and Texans rushing attack.
The Jaguars also listed two other starters as questionable for Sunday’s game.
Starting left guard Eben Britton (ankle) and cornerback Derek Cox (hamstring) both missed practice this week, but they have a chance to play on Sunday.
Having both on Sunday would be a big boost for the Jaguars, but if Britton cannot play he would be replaced by rookie Mike Brewster and if Cox cannot go he would be replaced by William Middleton.
