Jaguars GM Says 2014 Blackmon Return Unlikely

The football future appears even more bleak for embattled Jacksonville and former Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon.

Blackmon is currently serving an indefinite suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy for a third time but many presumed he would return to the Jag's lineup at some point in 2014. Apparently that isn't a guarantee.

In fact, Jacksonville general manager David Caldwell said it's unlikely.

"(Playing in 2014) would be something that would be relatively surprising," Caldwell said. "Haven't gotten a whole lot of updates from the league (with) where he's at or from Justin, to be honest with you."

Blackmon was a two-time Biletnikoff winner at OSU as the nation's top wide receiver and led the Cowboys to the 2011 Big 12 title and a Fiesta Bowl win.

After being selected with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2012 draft, he caught 64 passes for 865 yards and five TDs as a rookie and appeared to be entrenched as the team's No. 1 option. This past season he caught 29 passes for 415 yards with a score in four games.

Blackmon was suspended the first four games of the 2013 season and the final eight.

He was suspended indefinitely by the league on Nov. 1, 2013.

Despite his on-field ability, the organization has made plans to move on without the Plainview product, according to multiple league reports.

"Without having contact, we just have to protect the team now," Jags coach Gus Bradley said at the team's media luncheon. "We've got to do what's right for the organization, so we have to continue to move forward and project that. We've got to get some guys in here at that spot, and that's why you've heard Dave talk about wide receiver is a need (in the draft) because of that.

"Now, if everything works out to get him back, that's OK. We always will love to get very talented players in here. But it's hard. But we just have to keep going forward."