The poor got poorer this week, as the 2-13 Jacksonville Jaguars placed one of their brightest stars on injured reserve.
Wide receiver Cecil Shorts III was placed on IR after suffering his second concussion of the month during Sunday's 23-16 loss to the New England Patriots.
Shorts burst onto the scene in his second season out of Division III Mount Union, falling just short of the 1,000-yard plateau, leading the Jaguars with 979 receiving yards on 55 receptions. He started nine games this season, scored seven touchdowns and averaged 17.8 yards per reception.
The former Purple Raider brought dynamic big-play ability to Jacksonville, along with a penchant for taking the top off defenses. He had become the perfect complement to rookie Justin Blackmon's size.
With Shorts out for Sunday's finale against the Tennessee Titans, Blackmon will end the season as the Jaguars' sole wide receiver left active from opening week. Free-agent acquisition Laurent Robinson already is on IR, Mike Thomas was traded to the Detroit Lions, and Kevin Elliott was waived.
And the Jaguars' misfortune isn't reserved for wide receivers: They also placed running back Rashad Jennings (shoulder) and linebacker Greg Jones (leg) on IR on Monday.
Follow Kevin Patra on Twitter @kpatra.
