Jaguars get DJ Chark back in the lineup for the game on Sunday

Wide receiver DJ Chark is expected to be in the lineup on Sunday when the Jacksonville Jaguars face the Atlanta Falcons on the road.

The news was what the Jacksonville Jaguars coaching staff was hoping for. Unless there is a major setback, the team expects wide receiver DJ Chark to play in Atlanta.

The announcement, that came from team head coach Doug Marrone confirmed what he said on Monday in his teleconference on Monday afternoon – that he expected the second-year wide receiver to continue to progress from an ankle injury he suffered two weeks ago against Tampa Bay.

"“I’m expecting him to play unless there’s some type of setback or tomorrow he comes in and it’s sore from today’s practice,” Marrone told the media following the completion of practice this afternoon.“He was limited today, but he didn’t miss that much. So he’s done a great job. When you’re having a type of season like this, he’s a guy that as soon as he was injured was like, ‘I’m going to play. I’m going to be back next week,’ which he wasn’t. But, the attitude, that’s what you want to see. And I think it’s that attitude that has put him in position that he should be able to play this week. So that helps us.”"

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When asked about the possibility of Chark reaching the lofty goal in only his second season, he said it was not something he was aware of until he was just told of the news.

"“But I think for everyone, especially when the overall of the season has been obviously a disappointment that you do like to see those individuals that have worked extremely hard get to a goal or what they want to do,” Marrone said.“So he’s worked extremely hard to be in the position he’s in. We obviously know he’s talented, and he’s a player that I believe is just going to continue to get better, so if that was one of goals, and probably it is, then hey listen, that would be great.”"

Chark’s improvement from his rookie season has taken the Jaguars by surprise this season as he has quickly become the team’s top target in the passing game. He leads the team with 956 receiving yards but is second on the team in pass receptions with 67. Running back Leonard Fournette leads the team with 73 catches this year.

Chark was the Jaguars second-round pick out of LSU last season. He dealt with injuries last season that forced him to miss five games in the second half of his rookie year. He spent most of his rookie season playing on special teams where he exceled in coverage.