Jacksonville Jaguars Wide Receiver Justin Blackmon Suspended Indefinitely – What Now?

Oct 13, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon (14) on the sidelines in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Jaguars 35-19. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Jacksonville Jaguars yesterday announced Justin Blackmon’s indefinite suspension due to another violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy. This marks the second time this season Blackmon has violated the program and warranted a suspension.

Despite some promising play after returning from his four game suspension earlier in the season, David Caldwell and the front office must now decide whether or not Justin Blackmon is a part of this franchise’s future. Despite being a carryover from the previous regime, Blackmon was thought to be a building block of a potentially potent offense in the future.

Several variables need to go into Blackmon’s evaluation – contract, locker room reception, value on the field, and, most importantly, ability to stay on the field. While the defensible but knee-jerk reaction is to release him now, the Jaguars should take a more laborious approach. It might be easier for now to cut ties and move on immediately, but Caldwell should wait until the offseason and see how Blackmon is progressing. At this point it’s clear that Blackmon isn’t just a bad decision maker – he has a legitimate problem which needs treatment right now.

Blackmon’s suspension only piles on to the worst season in franchise history and arguably one of the most dismal seasons for a team in the history of the NFL. Blackmon was a rare bright spot in a lost season and now he might be done as a Jaguar. We thought it couldn’t get worse before, but now it really can’t, can it?

– Daniel Lago

Yell at me on Twitter @dlago89