Cecil

Shorts III

Shorts was overwhelmed as a rookie third receiver, and he’s now tumbling down the depth chart following the additions of Laurent Robinson, Justin Blackmon, and Lee Evans. Mike Thomas, Blackmon, and Robinson will be the Nos. 1-3 receivers. Beyond that, Evans, Shorts, and Jarret Dillard are competing for jobs.

For now, it looks like Dillard has been tabbed as the man to replace waived Jason Hill in the starting lineup. If that sticks, we’d expect Cecil Shorts to rotate in plenty. Still, this Jags’ passing game is one to avoid in fantasy. Blaine Gabbert is completing just 48.5 percent of his passes and has thrown six touchdowns all year.

He’s yet to go on injured reserve, so the Jags must be holding out hope that he will play in the season finale. Jarett Dillard and Chastin West will continue to pick up snaps, though Mike Thomas (concussion) is practicing in a limited fashion this week.

Shorts hasn’t been able to crack the starting lineup for the league’s worst receiving corps (by far), and he should remain firmly planted on the waiver wire.

With Mike Sims-Walker now back in the fold, Shorts’ potential role is meager anyway. The Jaguars will also be without LG Eben Britton (back). He’ll be replaced by Will Rackley. Other Jags’ inactives: FB Brock Bolen, WR Chastin West, C/G Jason Spitz, DE John Chick and S Courtney Greene.

Shorts, who came into the game nursing a tight hamstring, is headed for an MRI to determine the severity. The fourth-round rookie has two catches in the last four games.

Shorts doesn’t have a single reception through seven appearances after catching eight balls for 71 yards and a touchdown in the preseason. Shorts was inactive for the Jags’ Week 8 game against the Texans due to a hamstring injury. He’ll be no better than the team’s third receiver for the rest of the season.

Shorts is healthy, but he’s been passed on the depth chart by undrafted rookie Chastin West. Kampman and Knighton are both injured. Robiskie is a bust.

Shorts finally found the end zone in Monday’s loss to the Chargers, but still has only two catches on the season. His snaps have increased since Jason Hill was waived, but he remains off the fantasy radar as the third receiver in Jacksonville’s truly horrendous passing attack.

He’s on track to miss a third straight game. The disappointing fourth-rounder managed just two receptions for 30 yards in 10 games after a strong training camp. He’ll return as the third or fourth receiver in 2012.