Leonard Fournette and Marcus Mariota both likely out again for Week 3
In a Week 3 matchup between two of last season’s surprise playoff teams, both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans will likely be missing their most dynamic offensive weapons.
Jacksonville running back Leonard Fournette and Tennessee quarterback Marcus Mariota are both expected to sit out once again as they recover from their respective injuries.
T.J. Yeldon will start in the backfield for Fournette while Blaine Gabbert gets a second consecutive start for the Titans.
Jaguars remaining cautious with Fournette
Through two games this season, Jacksonville (2-0) hasn’t faced much trouble even with limited action from its top running back.
After dispatching the New York Giants and New England Patriots with relative ease, it’s clear the Jaguars feel more than comfortable waiting for Fournette’s hamstring to fully heal before putting him back in the lineup.
It seemed like the second-year tailback would be able to make his return this week, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday morning that Jacksonville will go with T.J. Yeldon as its top running back in Week 3.
Jaguars’ RB update:
TJ Yeldon expected to play today.
Leonard Fournette not expected to play today, per league sources.
Jaguars going to play it safe with Fournette.— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 23, 2018
Fournette has just nine carries on the year for 41 yards this year.
Gabbert gets a shot at redemption in Jacksonville
With the Titans’ franchise quarterback still dealing with the effects of a pinched nerve in his elbow, head coach Mike Vrabel will once again go to Gabbert over Mariota as the latter tries to regain feeling in his hand.
Titans planning to start QB Blaine Gabbert against his former team, the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, per sources. Tennessee still hoping Marcus Mariota can regain feel in his hand for grip of the football as soon as possible, but plan going into Sunday is to start Gabbert.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 23, 2018
Gabbert was serviceable in Week 2 win against the Texans (13 of 20 passing, 117 yards, one touchdown), but will need to give the Titans (1-1) a much more efficient outing against his former club.
When the Jaguars selected Gabbert with the 10th overall pick in the 2011 draft, it was supposed to be the start of a new era in Jacksonville. The former Missouri quarterback lasted 28 games over three years, instead, as Jacksonville went 11-37 with Gabbert on the roster.
Now the Jaguars boast arguably the best defense in the NFL as they look to start 3-0 against their former first-round pick. That should bode well for Jacksonville if Gabbert is still the same quarterback the Jaguars remember him as.
Gabbert tossed 24 interceptions on 22 touchdowns for the Jags. He’s now thrown 44 touchdowns on 44 interceptions for his career.
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Blake Schuster is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at blakeschuster@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Schustee
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