JACKSONVILLE – The major Jaguars news was as expected Friday.
Leonard Fournette won't play Sunday, news Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone acknowledged but didn't much discuss during his Friday post-practice media availability.
"I don't know when he'll be ready; I really don't," Marrone said as the Jaguars (3-3) prepared to play the Houston Texans (3-3) in an AFC South game at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville Sunday at 1 p.m.
"I'm not focused on the players who are unavailable. I'm more focused on the players who are available and who we have to play."
Fournette, a second-year running back who rushed for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie, has missed four of the last five games since sustaining a hamstring injury in Week 1. Marrone had said last week he believed there was a chance Fournette could play against the Texans.
Marrone had discussed cornerback D.J. Hayden (toe) and cornerback Tre Herndon (hamstring) in the same vein, saying Monday and Wednesday the trio hadn't been ruled out for Sunday. Much depended on their status for Thursday's practice, and all three missed practice that day.
Hayden, like Fournette, was among three players ruled out by the Jaguars Friday; Hayden will miss a fifth consecutive game. Herndon was listed as questionable Friday along with defensive end Calais Campbell (ankle/hip) and rookie tackle Will Richardson Jr. (knee).
The other player ruled out, James O'Shaughnessy, meant the Jaguars' season-long injury issues at tight end will continue Sunday.
O'Shaughnessy, who began the season as a reserve tight end, will miss Sunday with a hip injury sustained in practice Wednesday. His absence will mean all three of the players with whom the Jaguars opened the season at the position will be unavailable Sunday. Starter Austin Seferian-Jenkins (core) and reserve tight end/special-teams ace Niles Paul (knee) are on injured reserve.
"It's a tough deal," Marrone said.
The Jaguars will enter Sunday with two available tight ends: David Grinnage and Blake Bell. Grinnage signed with the Jaguars off their practice squad last week and the Jaguars signed Bell as a free agent on Tuesday.
Marrone on Friday said fullback Tommy Bohanon also is an option at the position Sunday.
"He'll be able to get us some snaps there," Marrone said. "He knows the position because of the way it's labeled in our offense. We'll go out and give him some work."
The following players were removed from the game status report Friday after practicing with injuries this week, meaning they are expected to play Sunday: Running back T.J. Yeldon (foot/ankle), center Brandon Linder (knee), left guard Andrew Norwell (foot) and right tackle Jermey Parnell (knee).
