Wide receiver Justin Blackmon was added to the Jacksonville Jaguars active roster on Saturday.
In order for the Jaguars to have room on the roster for Blackmon, they had to release guard Jacques McClendon. Blackmon, who was the fifth overall pick in last year’s draft, just returned after a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse rule, according to Pro Football Talk. The jaguars were using a roster exemption on Blackmon.
For the first four games of this season, Blackmon was suspended. Last year Blackmon set franchise records as a rookie. Those records were for receptions, 64, receiving yards, 865, and average per reception, 13.5, according to the Jaguars website. Blackmon also tied the Jaguar rookie record for receiving touchdowns with five, and was second among NFL rookies.
Blackmon is just one failed test away from be banished for one year. The Jaguar have to hope that Blackmon doesn’t fail a test again. If he were to fail another drug test, then the Jaguars would probably cut him and there could be teams that aren’t willing to give him a second chance.
The Jaguars play the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.