JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars will be without their starting center again Sunday.
As far as the status of their starting left guard, that will be decided on Sunday along with that of one of their top special teams players.
Brandon Linder, the Jaguars' starting center in the first four games of the season, on Friday was ruled out of the team's game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday. Linder missed the team's victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday and missed all practices this week with an illness.
Third-year veteran Tyler Shatley will start at center for a second consecutive game.
"Shat's played before, and he has played well at times," Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone said Friday as the AFC South-leading Jaguars (3-2) prepared to play the Rams (3-2) at EverBank Field Sunday at 4:05 p.m. "He works extremely hard; he works just as hard as Brandon. It's a credit to him.
"You have to prepare yourself during the week as if you're the guy who's starting. If something happens, you're really an ankle or finger away from getting into the game. Shat always has done a good job of that."
Also Friday, starting left guard Patrick Omameh (hip) and wide receiver/special teams ace Arrelious Benn were listed on the Jaguars' final injury report of the week as questionable for Sunday. Both practiced on a limited basis Friday.
The Jaguars rushed for a season-high 231 yards as a team in a 30-9 victory over Pittsburgh Sunday, with rookie running back Leonard Fournette rushing for 181 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries.
Also listed on the injury report Friday and expected to be available Sunday were quarterback Blake Bortles (right wrist), wide receiver Jaelen Strong (hamstring), safety Jarrod Wilson (shoulder), linebacker Lerentee McCray (knee), defensive tackle Malik Jackson (groin), wide receiver Marqise Lee (ribs), cornerback Jalen Ramsey (ankle/calf), Fournette (ankle/shoulder) and running back Chris Ivory (hip).
McCray – like Benn a key special-teams player – missed the last three games. Strong, acquired by the Jaguars off waivers from Houston on September 19, has yet to play for the Jaguars.
"He's done a nice job of picking up the offense," Marrone said of Strong. "He's really working his way back in. It's the first time he has [been] cleared. Even once you're cleared you have to turn it loose. That's what we're looking forward to."
Lee, who served as the team's punt returner in the first four games, did not play the role against Pittsburgh last Sunday. Lee played through his ribs injury last week despite missing two days of practice.
"We've worked him back there [on returns in practice this week]; we'll see how it goes," Marrone said.
