Ernest Wilford will be in the starting lineup again this Sunday when the Jaguars host the Baltimore Ravens, and Reggie Williams' role as a backup wide receiver will be expanded to include multiple positions.
"It's not so much a pecking order as much as it's roles," coach Jack Del Rio said of the way he used Wilford, Williams and Matt Jones in Sunday's win over the Houston Texans. Jones, this year's first-round draft pick, was used in his number three wide receiver role, while Williams served exclusively as Wilford's backup. Williams played in only a few plays while Jones saw extensive action.
"By necessity, Ernest learned to do everything. We'll have to get Reggie up to speed to serve in multiple roles," Del Rio said. "We're going to continue to play (Wilford) more."
Wilford caught four passes for 89 yards and a touchdown against the Texans. Wilford is tied with Jimmy Smith for the team lead with four touchdown receptions and is second on the team in yards receiving with 351. Eighteen of Wilford's 19 receptions this season have produced first downs.
Williams had been in the starting lineup for 22 of the previous 23 games. The ninth pick of the 2004 draft, Williams would seem to now be faced with having to win his job back and that may be difficult to do after the positive effect Wilford had on the Jaguars' pass-offense Sunday.
"All players want to play. He has a lot of pride," Del Rio said of Williams. "We're going to find ways to get him on the field."
Wilford may have been the player the Jaguars' passing game lacked. The passing attack certainly came to life in the second half on Sunday.
"Not only did we not have any drops by wide receivers, we had excellent protection, we had good throws and good catches. There were some good plays in the passing game," Del Rio told reporters during Monday's press conference.
Wilford wasn't selected until the fourth round of the 2004 draft, primarily because he lacks speed. He obviously has enough other qualities to negate his lack of deep speed.
"He's got good body control. He's got explosiveness in and out of his cuts. The only thing he's lacking is top vertical speed, which can be overrated," Del Rio said.
In other news, Fred Taylor was wearing a boot on the ankle he re-injured on Sunday. Taylor underwent an MRI exam on Monday and his status for Sunday's game will be announced when the team issues its official injury report on Wednesday afternoon.
"I don't know how he's going to respond. There wasn't a lot of swelling," Del Rio said.