Jaguars not counting on Justin Blackmon to return in 2014

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon was suspended indefinitely for violating the NFL's substance abuse program during the 2013 NFL season. Blackmon played just four games last season, missing the first four weeks of the year due to a suspension, then missed the team's final eight games with the current suspension he is serving.

No one knows for sure when Blackmon can return to the team, if he can at all, and it appears the Jaguars aren't expecting him back for the 2014 season and are planning accordingly.

Caldwell -- "It's not something we're counting on. ... relatively surprised" -- re Blackmon playing in 2014.

— Ryan O'Halloran (@ryanohalloran) May 2, 2014

I've written in the past that both the Jaguars staff and fans should just pretend like Blackmon does not exist and isn't an option going forward, because there's so much uncertainty surrounding his suspension and how long "indefinite" means.

Earlier in the week I speculated that if Blackmon was able to return for the 2014 season he'd likely serve at least an eight game suspension, to make it a full sixteen games for his third offense, but it appears the team is expecting it to be more than that.

Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell appeared on Jaguars Today on 1010XL with Mike Dempsey and sounded unsure of what Blackmon's future was for the team both in the immediate season and long term. He made mention that they're not even privy to the details of when Blackmon can apply for reinstatement or when he can actually play again.