JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars got expected news Friday.
That means Allen Hurns will miss a game for the first time in his two-year NFL career, and it means the Jaguars will be without their starting Otto linebacker for a third time in four games.
Hurns, the team's second-leading receiver, officially was ruled out on Friday with the concussion that kept him out of practice all three days this week, with starting Otto linebacker Dan Skuta and reserve running back Toby Gerhart also ruled out.
Skuta and Gerhart were ruled out with groin injuries.
Hurns remains in the concussion protocol after sustaining the injury in the fourth quarter against San Diego this past Sunday.
"I know Hurns was making progress throughout the steps (of the protocol), so that's a good sign," Head Coach Gus Bradley said as the Jaguars (4-7) prepared to play the Tennessee Titans (2-9) at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday at 1 p.m.
Hurns has caught 48 passes for 758 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
Second-year wide receiver Marqise Lee, active the last three games after missing six of the first eight games with a hamstring injury, could start in place of Hurns.
Lee, a second-round selection in the 2014 NFL Draft and the earliest-drafted receiver on the Jaguars' roster, has five receptions for 51 yards this season. Bradley said Lee and quarterback Blake Bortles could benefit from added practice time this week.
"They've gotten more reps together," Bradley said. "I think for him the amount of reps he (Lee) has gotten is always good. You see guys like (tight end) Julius (Thomas) and Blake the last couple of weeks have gone off on their own and worked on some timing things. You're seeing the same things with Blake and Marqise.
"That's a work in progress, but continues to be improving."
Hurns isn't the Jaguars' only injury issue at receiver. Wide receiver Bryan Walters, a key contributor at third receiver this season, was listed as questionable on the final injury report of the week Friday with a back injury.
Bradley said Walters could be a game-time decision.
Rookie wide receiver Neal Sterling also was listed as questionable with an illness that caused him to miss the San Diego game and limited him in practice this past week.
"He's making good strides, so that's a benefit for us," Bradley said adding that the team could evaluate the receiver position Saturday. "We'll see. We have another segment of practice that's full speed, so I think that will be a big evaluation part of practice and where we're at with our receiving group."
Also on the Jaguars' injury report Friday, running back Bernard Pierce was listed as questionable with a calf injury that kept him out of the last two games.
Defensive end Chris Clemons, safety Johnathan Cyprien (abdomen), safety Josh Evans (concussion), tight end Marcedes Lewis (ankle), defensive tackle Roy Miller (knee) and kicker Jason Myers (back) were listed as probable. Clemons missed practice Wednesday with a veterans day off.
