Jaguars Friday injury report most inspiring of the season so far

There isn't a single team in the NFL that is immune to injuries. Injuries are a universally accepted component of football, allocated to the physical nature of the sport.

The Jaguars, like every other NFL team, find themselves plagued with untimely injuries each season. The difference between the Jags and the rest of the NFL, however, is that the Jaguars lack enough legitimate depth to overcome these injuries, much less turn them into a non-factor.

Simply, the Jaguars are still a young, inexperienced team and it is this reason (among others) that injuries seem to bite us in the ass year-in and year-out.

Of course, injuries are never an excuse. The Jaguars have struggled through the first five weeks of the season, accumulating 1 win and 4 different methods of losing. As the Jaguars return to Everbank on Sunday for the first time in close to a month, it's difficult to uncover any optimism, much less any hope for a home win.

Friday's injury report, however, should make fans feel a little better.

The only two players listed as "out" for Sunday's game are running back Bernard Pierce and wide receiver Marqise Lee. RB T.J. Yeldon and safety James Sample are both questionable for Sunday's match-up. I'm not really a betting man, but if I had to bet, I'd bet these two don't suit up this Sunday.

Meanwhile, Friday's injury report lists several key names under the "probable" column. MLB Paul Pozlusney is set to play this Sunday after missing last week's match-up with a high-ankle sprain -- a game that saw the Jaguars give up 123 rushing yards to Doug Martin.

Perhaps the most exciting news of the week is that defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks will make his season debut on Sunday. Marks is set to return to action for the first time since tearing his ACL nine long months ago. He will be a welcome presence to a struggling defensive line.

Tight end Julius Thomas and RB Denard Robinson are set to be re-implemented into the Jaguars offensive gameplan this weekend. Thomas made his season debut last week, but should receive more playing time this weekend. D-Rob is coming off of an MCL sprain that kept him sidelined for 3 weeks. Both Robinson and Thomas will add an additional dimension to the Jaguars offense.

Up to this point, this season has not been kind to the Jaguars. You'll find the Jags' best offensive lineman (Brandon Linder) on injured reserve, and one of their promising young wide receivers (Rashad Greene) sidelined until week 9.

You'll also find Marqise Lee glued to the sideline with his hamstring issues, and Bernard Pierce dealing with several different ailments -- the most notable being a concussion that may have led him to block for the opposing team.

If you dig past all of these findings, however, you'll find some cautious optimism as well. Friday's injury report presents the opportunity for the Jaguars to field a more complete team against a struggling Texans team on Sunday. The injury situation still isn't ideal, but it is getting better.

The roster might not be built, but it is getting healthier. Gradually.