(Oct. 9)--The Jaguars have lost Pro-Bowl punter Chris Hanson for at least one game, following an accident this morning involving Hanson's right leg and the ax with which the Jaguars had been chopping wood.
Hanson will be replaced for this Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins by former Dolphins punter Mark Royals, who has been contacted and was en route to Jacksonville when coach Jack Del Rio made the announcement at this afternoon's press conference.
"There was one unfortunate accident that occurred this morning," Del Rio said as he concluded his daily injury report. "Chris Hanson is at the doctor's getting sewn up. He has a gash of some sort. He will be out."
Putting the pieces together became easy for reporters, who noticed that the team's symbolic locker room ax was missing from its traditional place in an oak tree stump at which players had been taking swings for the past two weeks. It was part of Del Rio's "keep choppin' wood" theme. Of course, all of that changed this morning. The ax is gone and the stump is soon to follow.
"I don't know any of the details. The rest of the team was at meetings. The specialists have a little more free time on their hands," Del Rio said.
"I'll find another slogan," he added. "The message was understood. The thing was on its way out soon, but not soon enough. It was symbolic more than anything else."
Hanson has also been kicker Seth Marler's holder, and Del Rio said Royals will replace Hanson in that capacity, too.
Meanwhile, starting cornerback Jason Craft participated in practice today, though he remains "questionable" on the Jaguars' injury report with a groin strain. If Craft is unable to play on Sunday, rookie free safety Rashean Mathis will replace Craft and either Anthony Mitchell or Deke Cooper will get the start at free safety.
Middle linebacker Mike Peterson is "questionable" with sore ribs, but he also practiced. Wide receiver Jimmy Redmond sustained a foot sprain in practice.
