Jaguars running back Fred Taylor is expected to be lost to the team for at least the next two games, the team said in a release this afternoon.
Coach Tom Coughlin was unable to provide much in the way of information at today's noon press conference. Two hours later, the Jaguars supplied the results of an MRI examination of the groin injury Taylor suffered in the Jaguars' 13-6 win over the Tennessee Titans Sunday.
The MRI "revealed a partial detachment of the adductor tendon from the bone," the Jaguars release read. The release also said Taylor would miss this Sunday's game against visiting Cleveland and the following Sunday's game in Seattle, before having his condition re-evaluated during the bye week (Oct. 14).
"I'm hopeful that proper treatment and rehabilitation will get Fred back on the field soon. Until then, I'm confident that our offense can be productive, and I'm confident in the other running backs we have," Coughlin said in the team release.
Early in the second quarter of Sunday's game, Taylor broke through the line and appeared to be on his way to a long-gainer when, suddenly, he dropped the football and grabbed for his groin area. He had to be helped from the field and was unable to put weight on his left leg. Taylor was on crutches after the game and told of having experienced intense pain.
If Taylor is to miss more than a few games, the obvious question will be: Can the Jaguars remain a playoff contender without him?
"This team has always been able to fight through these things," offensive tackle Tony Boselli said.
Stacey Mack would be Taylor's main replacement. Sunday, Mack rushed for 80 yards in 18 carries and scored the game-winning touchdown on an impressive 22-yard run.
"He showed he can run. He showed what he can do. It's our job to make holes. We depend on one another," Boselli said.
What will Taylor's absence mean?
"You take a guy who can score from any place on the field off the field," Coughlin said.
The coach complimented his defense for having kept the Titans out of the end zone, especially in the fourth quarter when the Jaguars were backed up to their nine and 15-yard lines. On fourth-and-one at the nine, the Jaguars stopped Eddie George for no gain.
"We held Eddie George to three yards (rushing) in the second half. That's where the game was," Coughlin said.
When a reporter asked Coughlin if his team may have "dodged a bullet" in those two fourth-quarter stands, Coughlin shot back: "If we make the field goal and Damon Jones holds onto the ball, there's no dodging anything."
Mike Hollis missed a relatively short field goal attempt for the second time in two games, and Coughlin admitted, "I'm concerned."
Then, in the fourth quarter as the Jaguars attempted to put the game out of reach, Jones was stripped of the ball from behind as he was running downfield on a 40-yard catch-and-run play.
Two officials calls were also instrumental in keeping the game close. "Fumbles; it's our ball. Game's over. It's the NFL. It's embarrassing," Coughlin said.
He didn't appear to be in the best of moods. No doubt, he was reacting to news of the seriousness of Taylor's injury.
Vic Ketchman is the Senior Editor of Jaguars Inside Report, the official team newspaper of the Jacksonville Jaguars. One-year subscriptions may be purchased by calling 1-888-846-5247.
