The Jacksonville Jaguars are hoping that 39 plus 61 equals five.
The Florida Times-Union reported Friday night that the Jaguars selection of USC wide receiver Marqise Lee in the second round with the 39th overall selection and Penn State wide receiver Allen Robinson in the second round with the 61st selection sent out a signal of the future of suspended wideout Justin Blackmon.
Jacksonville selected Blackmon with the fifth pick in the 2012 NFL draft.
According to the Times-Union, Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell and coach Gus Bradley hinted that Blackmon may never rejoin the team after violating the league's substance abuse policy in April and again at the end of October.
The first violation earned him a four-game suspension to start the 2013 season. He played in four games before the second violation cost him the final eight games of the season.
The Jaguars are not allowed to cut a suspended player, as per league rules, until that player is reinstated, the Times-Union posted. Caldwell is unsure of Blackmon's reinstatement
Blackmon had 64 receptions for 865 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie. Last season, Blackmon had 29 receptions for 415 yards in just four games in a 2013 season cut short by suspensions.
The Jaguars offered support after Blackmon's first suspension, according to CBSSports.com:
"All of us who are a part of the Jaguars family care very deeply about Justin and his well-being. That said, he must be held accountable and accept the consequences announced today by the NFL," Jaguars general manager David Caldwell said in a statement. "His suspension will provide him the opportunity to receive the attention and professional treatment necessary to overcome his challenges, and we will support him during this time. The Jacksonville Jaguars will evaluate Justin's status once he has successfully met the criteria to be considered for reinstatement to the league."
When asked Friday about Blackmon's status for 2014 and beyond, Caldwell tiptoed around the question.
"I think we've covered that," Caldwell said. "We've moved on for this year."
When asked whether he would cut Blackmon, Caldwell said:
"We can't [cut him]. If that even happens."
Bradley told the Florida Times-Union that he was melancholy about the situation.
"I feel at times there's probably a little emptiness," Bradley said. "There are some unknowns there and you don't know how it's working. You don't want to shut it off. I was hoping it would be better than where it is going. We haven't heard much and it doesn't sound like it's going in the right direction. Like Dave said, we can't count on him."
After selecting Lee and Robinson, the Jaguars are hoping they won't have to.
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