As if the woeful record, double-digit point spreads, empty seats and Happy Hour ticket offers werent embarrassing enough, the Jacksonville Jaguars roster is so depleted that the team has been using ball boys and equipment managers as scout team wide receivers during practice.
The team is without usual receivers Justin Blackmon (suspension), Mike Brown (back) and Stephen Burton (concussion). For this weeks game against the Colts, the Jags will likely add two practice squad players to join Cecil Shorts and rookie Ace Sanders on the depth chart. Jacksonville is one of two NFL teams to not have a touchdown from a wide receiver this year. (Minnesota is the other.) Seeing as how Jacksonville only has three touchdowns on the season, thats not much of a surprise.
According to ESPNs Michael DiRocco, the dearth of receiving talent has led to the unusual step of having team employees mimic Colts receivers like Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton. Other scout team receivers have included practice squad quarterback Matt Scott.
Do you think it was awkward when the equipment managers were hauling in passes like Jerry Rice while lining up against the Jags starting secondary? Yeah, it was probably awkward.
Jacksonville is an eight-point home underdog to Indianapolis.
