While the Jacksonville Jaguars weren’t really relying on former top-five pick Justin Blackmon to return to the team, this has to be seen as another bit of bad news for the downtrodden organization.
According to Mark Long of the Associated Press, the National Football League has denied Blackmon’s request for reinstatement from an indefinite suspension he received back in November of 2013 relating to multiple failed drug tests.
Confirmed via @APMarkLong that Justin Blackmon DID apply for reinstatement and was denied.
— Mike Dempsey (@md_1010xl) May 9, 2015
While it’s not fully known why Blackmon was denied reinstatement, Long (via Mike Dempsey of 92.5 FM in Jacksonville) indicates that it’s either due to another failed test or missed drug test.
As @APMarkLongput it, "the feeling in the building is that JB failed another test" but could be a missed test that counts as a failed test
— Mike Dempsey (@md_1010xl) May 9, 2015
Remember, Blackmon had apparently entered treatment facility for substance abuse. Back in October of 2014, Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley gave us an update regarding the talented but troubled receiver.
He’s healing and taking time for himself,” Bradley said. “The great thing is he has chosen this for himself. It’s awesome to hear about. It’s a voluntary program he has chosen to do.
Unfortunately, it appears that Blackmon will not be returning to the Jaguars for the 2015 season.
After being selected fifth overall back in 2012, Blackmon put up a solid rookie campaign. He netted 64 receptions for 865 yards and five scores in 16 games.
However, he was suspended the first four games of the following season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. And after playing in just four games (415 yards and a touchdown), the former top prospect was then suspended indefinitely. While under suspension, Blackmon was arrested for possession of marijuana in Oklahoma on July 23rd of last year.
Needless to say, this is a major blow for the Jaguars. But the reality of the situation is that Blackmon wasn’t being relied on. The team selected Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee early in the 2014 NFL draft, indicating that it had moved on from the former top-five pick.
Photo: USA Today Sports