Jaguars drop encouraging Bhayshul Tuten update (but Patrick Mekari is ruled out)

The Jacksonville Jaguars could get reinforcements just in time for the season finale against the Tennessee Titans. After missing a couple weeks with a finger injury, running back Bhayshul Tuten could suit up for the divisional bout.

Tuten suffered a finger injury in the win over the New York Jets in Week 15 and was expected to return for the playoffs. However, he's ahead of schedule and is poised to play against the dreaded rival Tennessee, based on the final injury report.

Bhayshul Tuten is good to go vs. the Titans, but the Jaguars rule out Patrick Mekari

Bhayshul Tuten has had no limitations in practice this week, so the news that he's a full go for the finale doesn't come as a surprise. That said, the Jaguars have already ruled out right guard Patrick Mekari (back). Similarly, rookie edge rusher Jalen McLeod won't be available.

The Jags had opened McLeod's 21-day window to return from Injured Reserve. However, he'll need to wait until next season to make his NFL debut since the team didn't activate him.

Aside from Mekari and McLeod, though, no other player had a status for the finale. Right tackle Anton Harrison dealt with an illness but is good to go. Ditto defensive end Danny Striggow, who sat out the Indianapolis Colts game in Week 17 but will be available in the finale.

With Mekari out of the picture, Walker Little is slated to make his second start at right guard. To make matters worse, center Robert Hainsey is listed as questionable with a groin injury and could sit out his second game in a row. If he's unavailable, rookie Jonah Monheim will get the nod again. Here's the full injury report.

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The Jaguars should be able to fend off the Titans without Patrick Mekari

The Jaguars already qualified for the postseason but will still need to beat the Titans if they want to clinch the AFC South and have a shot at seizing one of the top three seeds in the conference. For that reason, they won't take their foot off the gas pedal until the outcome of the game is defined.

Having Patrick Mekari around would most definitely help the Jags take care of business against their divisional rival, but they're better off holding him out to ensure he's at full strength (or as close as possible for the playoffs.

Granted, the Jacksonville offensive line will have to deal with the defensive tackle tandem of Jeffery Simmons and T'Vondre Sweat. Then again, the trio of Johan Monheim, Ezra Clevleand, and Walker Little should be able to hold their own. Couple that with the fact that edge rusher Arden Key won't be available after suffering a back injury in Week 17, and the Jaguars should have a favorable matchup.

The bottom line is that the Jaguars should be able to repel the Titans in the finale even though they won't be at full strength. The fact that players such as Bhayshul Tuten and Danny Striggow are back in the fold should most definitely help.