Montell

Owens

Curious owners should know that nobody stepped up for Karim on Monday. Owens is a fullback and special teams ace, and Maurice Jones-Drew will likely take 95 percent of the carries if Karim continues to be held out.

Mularkey’s depth chart doesn’t include holdout Maurice Jones-Drew. Owens, mainly a fullback during his four-year career, has just 14 career carries. The Jags will be in big trouble if he totes the rock during regular season games.

It’s unclear if Owens will be able to serve as Rashad Jennings’ backup in Week 8. Look for the Jaguars to add a running back off the street this week. Regardless, Jennings projects to see a very heavy workload.

Richard Murphy, promoted from the practice squad Saturday, didn’t see a single carry while Jordan Todman was inactive. Should Jennings and Maurice Jones-Drew both miss next week’s game versus the Jets, Owens would likely lead a committee attack with Murphy and Todman. Keep expectations low for the special teamer.

Owens was serving as Maurice Jones-Drew’s backup thanks to Rashad Jennings’ knee injury.

Jennings hasn’t been ruled out for Week 2 yet, but it would be a surprise if he suited up. Look for Montell Owens to back up Maurice Jones-Drew during Sunday’s game against the Texans.

Rashad Jennings is nursing a concussion, Jalen Parmele (groin) is on injured reserve and Maurice Jones-Drew (foot) remains on the shelf. That leaves Owens, a 5'10/225 plodding special teams ace that is more of a natural fullback. In 71 career games, he’s rushed just 21 times for 112 yards with two touchdowns. Seven of those carries came in a relief role last week after Jennings went down. Look for a pass-heavy gameplan out of the Jags with Owens leading a committee that will also involve Richard Murphy and possibly Jordan Todman. Owens is a risky RB3 type in fantasy circles despite coach Mike Mularkey’s optimism. “I think when he has had his opportunities, which have been very few, I’ve been pretty pleased with the way he has run the ball. He’s just a really good football player,” Mularkey said.

A two-time Pro Bowl special teamer, Owens can also do some lead-blocking and carry the ball in a pinch. Last season, he rushed 42 times for 209 yards with one touchdown after the Jags’ running back corps was decimated by injury. The 29-year-old will play a similar insurance/special teams role if he sticks on the Lions’ roster. Reggie Bush, Mikel Leshoure and Joique Bell are all more talented runners.

The special teams ace is coming off his first Pro Bowl selection in 2010. His deal is believed to be similar to the three-year, $6.675 million deal signed by Kassim Osgood before last season. Owens holds Jacksonville’s franchise record with 95 special teams tackles.

Owens went down on a kickoff return during the third quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Panthers. He was a Pro Bowl special teamer last season.