Justin Blackmon's NFL Future Commented on by Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell

Though still technically a part of the franchise, Jacksonville Jaguars general manager David Caldwell had a clear message when asked Tuesday about suspended wide receiver Justin Blackmon: His NFL career is (probably) over.  

“Common sense would probably be, if you haven't played football in two-and-a-half-years, apparently that’s not a priority for you," Caldwell said, per Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union.

Blackmon, who went No. 5 overall in the 2012 NFL draft, has not appeared in an NFL game since Oct. 27, 2013, while serving an indefinite suspension. The former Oklahoma State star violated the league's substance abuse policy on multiple occasions, sitting out nearly the entire 2013 season and all of 2014 as a result. An appeal for reinstatement was reportedly denied in May because Blackmon failed or missed a mandated drug test.

Before his off-field trouble, Blackmon's NFL career was off to a rising start. He made 64 receptions for 865 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie despite Jacksonville's well-documented quarterback troubles and was averaging more than 100 yards and seven receptions per game in 2013.

Despite his prodigious talent, though, Caldwell doesn't believe Blackmon will return the same player—if he ever does make a comeback: "I guess I harbor hope, but realistically, when you're away from the game for two-and-a-half years, what you were once is not what you will probably be—your skills do erode, especially when you're not in shape and not in top football shape."

As it stands, Blackmon increasingly looks like a case of "what could have been" with each passing day. The Jaguars have already moved on by adding Marqise Lee, Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, a trio of young receivers who showed massive promise last season. Blackmon, meanwhile, has been cast almost entirely out of the public light during his suspension.

O'Halloran noted the only reason he remains on the roster is so that the Jaguars can attempt to recoup some of the $4 million signing bonus he was given in 2012.

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