JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars could be without their two best offensive players Sunday.
They could be without their top rookie safety, too.
Running back Maurice Jones-Drew and rookie safety Johnathan Cyprien missed practice Friday and were listed as "doubtful" on the team's final injury report of the week, while wide receiver Cecil Shorts III practiced on a limited basis Friday and was listed as questionable.
"It doesn't look good for either of them right now," Head Coach Gus Bradley said of Cyprien and Jones-Drew Friday as the Jaguars (4-9) prepared to play the Buffalo Bills (4-9) at EverBank Field Sunday at 1 p.m.
"We still have some time so we're going to use that time in case on Sunday morning we can work them out. I just want them to keep competing to get better in the training room and we will see then, so they will continue to be aggressively rehab all the way through Sunday."
Jones-Drew and Shorts are the Jaguars' leading rusher and receiver this season, respectively, and each is very uncertain to play Sunday.
Shorts, who has spent much of the season dealing with a groin issue, tested the area Friday. He said he will try to play Sunday.
"It was like a trial day, so we'll see what happens," Shorts said, and Bradley added, "We will get a feel for him definitely on Sunday morning and see where he's at and make a decision."
Shorts, who has caught 66 passes for 777 yards and three touchdowns, said he had a gut feeling about whether he would play but preferred not to share it publicly.
"We'll see what happens," said Shorts, who said he likely will undergo surgery on the area after the season. "I'm going to try. If I can, I can. If I can't, I'll be upset."
Jones-Drew sustained a hamstring injury in the Jaguars' victory over Houston last Thursday. He did not practice Wednesday, Thursday or Friday and said Friday he felt there is about a 50-50 chance he will play.
"We'll see," Jones-Drew said. "You never know."
Jones-Drew said he likely will test the area Saturday and Sunday.
"I ran better today than I did yesterday," Jones-Drew said. "I'll run again tomorrow and see how that feels. We'd probably go early Sunday, just so we know and get it out of the way. Then, we'll see. If I can't (open up), l'll see."
He said he ran Friday but was unable to "open up."
"As long as I can run – if I can't do that, then I'm not going to go out there," he said. "I wouldn't be able to be myself. Hopefully, I'll be able to go out there Sunday. If not, then we're set up for next week."
If Jones-Drew can't play, Jordan Todman will make his first NFL start, with reserve Denard Robinson taking Todman's backup role. Jones-Drew and Todman have split carries about 65-35 in those roles in recent weeks.
Todman has rushed for 143 yards and two touchdowns on 43 carries this season.
"I'm prepared," Todman said. "You have to prepare yourself and if anything happens be able to do your job and carry the load."
Also around the Jaguars Friday:
*With the release of defensive end Jeremy Mincey Friday, the Jaguars now have two open roster spots. One likely will be used to activate rookie linebacker LaRoy Reynolds, who has been suspended the last four games. Bradley said the other could be used to activate tight end Allen Reisner from injured reserve….
*With Jones-Drew possibly out, Bradley said running back Delone Carter could be active. He was signed as a free agent Monday….
*While Cyprien is doubtful, Bradley said he expects rookie safety Josh Evans to return after missing the victory over Houston with a shoulder injury. Evans and second-year veteran Winston Guy would start at safety if Cyprien can't play, with Chris Prosinski the third safety….
*Evans worked limited Friday, as did linebacker Geno Hayes (knee), defensive tackle Roy Miller (shoulder), offensive tackle Austin Pasztor (shoulder), with guard Uche Nwaneri (shoulder), Prosinski (concussion), kicker Josh Scobee (hip) and Todman (shoulder) working full after being limited on Thursday….
