JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars' defensive leader should play Sunday.
Sen'Derrick Marks missed a second consecutive practice Friday with a toe injury, but he and Head Coach Gus Bradley both said they expect the veteran defensive tackle to play Sunday.
"I'm pretty sure I'll be ready," Marks said Friday as the Jaguars (2-10) prepared to play the Houston Texans (6-6) at EverBank Field Sunday at 1 p.m.
Bradley said he didn't believe the Jaguars would have to change Marks' role or repetitions Sunday. He has started all 12 games this season, playing extensively in base defenses and in pass-rushing situations. Marks has played 573 snaps this season, second among Jaguars defensive linemen to end Chris Clemons.
"I think he should be okay," Bradley said. "I think it was more us letting it rest a little bit. I think going into this game it will be the same with what we usually do with him."
Marks, a six-year veteran who is tied for the team lead with seven sacks, said he has dealt with the issue on some level since early in the season.
"It happened early in the year," Marks said. "I just thought my feet were hurting. I went out and bought a foot massage and I got treatment and stuff like that. I just thought my feet hurt, but it's not a big issue. It's not turf toe and nothing is broken. It's just sore and wear and tear."
Bradley also said rookie Jeremiah George has a good chance to be active Sunday for the first time since Week 9, but added that the Jaguars will continue to start Telvin Smith at weak-side linebacker, Geno Hayes at Otto linebacker and J.T. Thomas at middle linebacker.
George sustained a high-ankle sprain early against Cincinnati in Week 9 while making his first NFL start.
"He's good," Bradley said of George. "When I talked to him on Wednesday he felt good but he just had to knock the rust off. Every day thereafter he's been good and he was moving around good today."
Said George, "I'm excited for everything that has happened and I'm excited for everything that's going to happen. It has been a good and bad process, but I'm excited to move forward."
Also around the Jaguars Friday:
*The Jaguars practiced in front of hundreds of military personnel representing all five branches as part of their Salute to Service/Military Appreciation Game Sunday. Bradley called the Friday practice a "great day," adding, "I just felt like every day (this week) you felt more and more energy from our team. It's exactly where we want to be right now. Exactly where we want to be."
*Rookie wide receiver Allen Robinson said his recent surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot went well and that he expects to begin on-field work in late January or early February. "I'm just ready to get back," Robinson said, adding that he expects to begin rehabilitation "in a couple of weeks or so. … Once we start up (the team's offseason program) in the spring, I'll be able to do everything." …
*Defensive Andre Branch and linebacker Khairi Fortt were ruled out for Sunday's game after missing practice all week with groin and hamstring injuries, respectively. Branch missed four consecutive games with the issue, and then re-aggravated it last Sunday against the Giants in his first game back. Fortt also sustained his injury against the Giants. …
*Linebacker LaRoy Reynolds, who missed last week's game with a neck injury, was listed as questionable for the Texans game. He worked limited Friday after missing practice Wednesday and Thursday. …
*Wide receiver Tommy Streeter worked limited for a second consecutive day with an abdominal strain and was listed as questionable. The Jaguars activated Streeter from the practice squad last week. ...
*Safety Josh Evans worked full after being limited Wednesday and Thursday and was listed as probable.
*Quarterback Blake Bortles (right shoulder/left ankle) and running back Toby Gerhart (shoulder) worked full for a third consecutive day and were listed as probable.
*Clemons (knee) worked full after not practicing Friday and was listed as probable.
