Key Jaguars face injury concerns heading into Week 17. Several starters were limited during the last practice before Christmas, impacting crucial playoff positioning.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have a fair number of players listed on their initial Week 17 injury report. Perhaps, what one would expect this late into the season, as they prepare for their trip to Indianapolis to take on the Colts and potentially clinch the AFC South. A Jaguars win, plus a loss by the Houston Texans, would secure the division crown.
The Jaguars had five players listed as non-participants during Wednesday's practice. That list included offensive linemen Robert Hainsey (groin) and Patrick Mekari (back), defensive lineman Danny Striggow (ankle) and cornerbacks Jourdan Lewis (foot) and Greg Newsome II (shoulder/personal).
Hainsey, Mekari and Lewis all were injured last week against the Denver Broncos.
A late update Thursday from Ian Rapoport reported that Lewis is undergoing surgery on his foot and will miss the rest of the season.
Running back Bhayshul Tuten was among those listed as a limited participant Wednesday. It was Tuten's first practice since injuring his finger in Week 15. He is expected back for the playoffs, if not sooner.
Also listed as limited on Wednesday: WR Tim Patrick (foot), OL Ezra Cleveland (shoulder), LB Jalen McLeod (ankle) and CB Montaric Brown (neck). McLeod is in the middle of his 21-day practice window to be activated from injured reserve. Cleveland played through the injured shoulder in last week's win over the Broncos.
DT Arik Armstead and DE Travon Walker (knee) were both full participants Wednesday.
For the Colts, they had a walkthrough on Wednesday, so their initial practice report is an estimation.
Players listed as non-participants included C Tanor Bortolini (concussion), DT DeForest Buckner (neck), CB Sauce Garnder (calf), RB Tyler Goodson (ankle), WR Anthony Gould (foot), TE Drew Ogletree (neck), OG Dalton Tucker (shoulder) and DE JT Tuimoloau (oblique).
Two additional players were listed as limited for the Colts: OT Bernhard Raimann (elbow) and QB Anthony Richardson (eye). Three were full participants, including WR Ashton Dulin (hamstring), CB Jaylon Jones (knee) and safety Daniel Scott (knee).
Friday will give us a better sense of who could play Sunday in Indianapolis, particularly for those that did not practice Wednesday and particularly for Tuten, who returned to practice after a week away.
With a playoff spot already secured, the Jaguars could choose to ease Tuten back into the lineup to ensure he is as healthy as possible heading into the playoffs, particularly with the Jaguars unlikely to get a first-round bye.