JACKSONVILLE – Two Jaguars players likely won't practice Wednesday.
Because Jalen Ramsey is one of the players, and because of recent circumstances around him, that was a major topic when Head Coach Doug Marrone addressed the media Wednesday morning.
Ramsey, after requesting a trade last week and missing practice Monday because of an illness, appeared on the Jaguars' pre-practice Wednesday injury report with a back injury.
He is not expected to practice Wednesday.
"I'm not concerned about it; I'm really not," Marrone said as the Jaguars (1-2) prepared to play the Denver Broncos (0-3) at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver. Colorado, Sunday at 4:25 p.m.
Ramsey, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, originally requested a trade last week after having words with Marrone – and after a subsequent postgame meeting with team officials – in a loss to the Houston Texans. He started in a victory over Tennessee last Thursday.
After missing a walkthrough with Monday's illness, he was at the Jaguars' facility at TIAA Bank Field Wednesday. Marrone was asked when Ramsey's back injury occurred.
"I don't know," Marrone said. "I really don't know. It just gets tight. His back got tight. It's normal. His back has gotten tight before. My back's tight. A couple of guys' backs are tight. A couple of guys have hamstrings. Everyone gets the stuff. …
"He reported that his back was sore. I don't know. I really don't know. And in the past people who have had the same issues, I haven't known about that either. I think it just got sore."
Ramsey missed Monday's walkthrough after calling the team Sunday to reportedly inform team officials he believed he had the flu.
"He was sick," Marrone said, adding when asked if Ramsey was feeling better:
"From the sickness? Yeah."
Ramsey, the No. 5 overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft, never has missed a start in three-plus NFL seasons.
"I don't like to talk for players, but one thing I don't have a problem saying about Jalen is that he loves football – loves football," Marrone said. "If he has the ability to play, I'd be under the understanding that he will play. The guy loves football and he loves his teammates."
Linebacker D.J. Alexander also is expected to miss practice Wednesday, with the following players expected to practice: Wide receiver Chris Conley (knee), linebacker Myles Jack (concussion protocol), linebacker Quincy Williams (illness) and tight end Josh Oliver (hamstring).
Alexander missed a victory over the Tennessee Titans this past Thursday, and Oliver has missed the entire preseason and first three regular-season games. Conley and Jack were injured against Tennessee.
