JACKSONVILLE – Leonard Fournette is out.
That was the major news for the Jaguars an hour and a half before kickoff of their 2018 regular-season opener against the New England Patriots Sunday.
Fournette, the Jaguars' starting running back, was ruled out with a hamstring injury sustained in a Week 1 victory over the New York Giants last Sunday. Look for fourth-year veteran T.J. Yeldon to start in his place with Corey Grant and Brandon Wilds also active at running back.
The Jaguars signed Wilds from the practice squad Saturday. Fournette missed practice throughout the week, with Yeldon, Wilds and Grant all practicing in his place.
Also, defensive end Calais Campbell is expected to play against the Patriots. The Jaguars had announced him as questionable with a knee injury Sunday morning.
The Jaguars' other six game-day inactives, all of whom are "healthy scratches:"
Linebacker Leon Jacobs, nose tackle Eli Ankou, guard Chris Reed, defensive end Dawuane Smoot, offensive tackle Will Richardson Jr. and offensive lineman Josh Walker.
Jacobs is listed as the Jaguars' starting strong-side linebacker, but the strong-side backer typically plays only in "base" – or early-down – down situations with safety Ronnie Harrison or cornerback D.J. Hayden playing in big-nickel and obvious passing situations, respectively.
The Jaguars used Harrison on 17 plays against the Giants last week in the so-called "big-nickel" package with Hayden playing 43 plays in the regular nickel package. Jacobs played just 11 plays against the Giants.
