Jaguars planning on going without Justin Blackmon … again – ESPN (blog)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — When it comes to receiver Justin Blackmon, the Jacksonville Jaguars are using the same approach they used in 2014: They’re planning on not having the former first round pick on the field.
General manager David Caldwell said Friday at the team’s annual pre-draft luncheon that he hasn’t heard anything from the NFL or Blackmon’s representatives about Blackmon’s plans regarding when — or if — he plans on filing for reinstatement. He has been suspended indefinitely since Nov. 1, 2013.
“Our process hasn’t changed,” Caldwell said. “[We] plan to go without him, but if he emerges, he emerges, and he’s going to go in with those top guys and compete with those other guys.
“Hopefully we’re able to get some news, but if not we weren’t planning on [having Blackmon]. We’re just going to go [without him].”
During the Jaguars’ end-of-season news conference, Caldwell said the team hoped to hear something regarding Blackmon’s status before the draft, which begins on Thursday. Obviously, there hasn’t been any news so the Jaguars are taking the status quo approach.
“I’m not disappointed [at not hearing any news],” Caldwell said. “I think you guys are probably more disappointed than I am.”
Blackmon has played in just 20 of a possible 48 games since the Jaguars selected him with the fifth pick of the 2012 draft. He caught 64 passes for 865 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie and was suspended for the first four games of the 2013 season after his second violation of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. Blackmon returned for Weeks 5-8 and caught 29 passes for 415 yards and one touchdown before the NFL suspended him indefinitely following his third violation.
The Jaguars have not cut the former Oklahoma State standout because his spot on the reserve/suspended list means he doesn’t count against the roster limit or salary cap and the Jaguars do not have to pay his salary. His contract paused upon his suspension so he will owe the Jaguars 2 1/2 years when and if he returns to the NFL.
There is a process that he’ll have to complete before that can happen, and it begins with his application for reinstatement. According to the NFL’s substance abuse policy, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has to make a decision within 60 days of a completed application for reinstatement. Goodell also has the sole discretion to determine if and when a player will be allowed to return. Whether a player adheres to his treatment plan during his suspension is a significant consideration, and a player must meet certain requirements determined by the substance-abuse policy’s medical director as well as other requirements.
Among the requirements:
Blackmon’s application must include information about his treatment, abstinence from substance abuse throughout the entire suspension, involvement in any substance-abuse related incidences, and arrest and/or convictions for any criminal activity (including substance-abuse related offenses). Blackmon had checked himself into a treatment facility in September in an effort to deal with substance-abuse issues.
Within 45 days of Blackmon’s application, he will be interviewed by the program’s medical director and medical advisor. They will then make a recommendation to Goodell.
Blackmon has to submit medical release forms to allow Goodell’s staff and the NFLPA executive director’s staff to review the player’s substance abuse history. That includes attendance at any counseling, 12-step programs, or other programs plus medical findings and treatment recommendations.
He also has to submit to urine testing by an NFL representative at a frequency determined by the program’s medical adviser and then has to meet with Goodell or his representatives and agree to comply with any conditions imposed by Goodell for reinstatement.
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