JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars' wide-receiver situation remains uncertain entering the weekend.
That's true at the starting level – and it's true of the reserves as well.
Marqise Lee, a starting wide receiver in the first four games of the season, was listed as questionable Friday on the team's final injury report of the week. Lee sustained a rib injury in the team's loss to the Jets in East Rutherford, New Jersey, this past Sunday.
Jaelen Strong, a backup wide receiver who has yet to play after being acquired off waivers from Houston on September 19, also was listed as questionable with a hamstring injury Friday.
The status of Lee and Strong further thins a position already hurt by the season-ending anterior cruciate ligament sustained by Pro Bowl receiver Allen Robinson in Week 1.
"It's like anything else; we've talked about plans if that doesn't occur – if he [Lee] isn't ready to play," Head Coach Doug Marrone said as the Jaguars (2-2) prepared to play the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Sunday at 1 p.m.
"We'll make those decisions when we have a definite. We have plans in place like anything else if somebody can't go. You have to be ready for all of that stuff."
Lee, who has 13 receptions for 159 yards this season, missed practice Wednesday and Thursday before working limited Friday. Lee said Marrone's work Friday was encouraging.
"He's still questionable, but obviously we were able to work him out, get him out there and take some reps," Marrone said. "That's always encouraging. … You can't ever walk in someone else's shoes when it comes to pain tolerance, but it [a rib injury] is an injury that causes pain."
Strong worked limited all three days this week, and Marrone on Friday said Strong likely will be a game-time decision.
The Jaguars have four healthy active receivers: Allen Hurns, rookie Keelan Cole, Max McCaffrey and veteran special teams specialist Arrelious Benn. Hurns leads the Jaguars with 16 receptions for 186 yards and two touchdowns this season. Cole has four receptions for 36 yards, Benn has a reception for 12 yards and McCaffrey has not had a reception in three games on the active roster.
The Jaguars on Friday ruled linebacker Lerentee McCray (knee) out, and also listed center Brandon Linder (illness) and safety Jarrod Wilson (shoulder) as questionable.
The following players on the injury report worked full Friday and are expected to be able to play Sunday: quarterback Blake Bortles (right wrist), cornerback Jalen Ramsey (ankle), running back Leonard Fournette (ankle), fullback Tommy Bohanon (knee), linebacker Donald Payne (hamstring), right guard A.J. Cann (hand) and defensive tackle Malik Jackson (groin).
