Time to start Justin Blackmon on the fantasy team. The Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver is finally returning from a four-game suspension after violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy in the offseason. Now, the team's No. 1 wide receiver is back at practice and will return as the No. 1 target in the team's game against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.
It is hard to get excited over Blackmon considering Blaine Gabbert is the one throwing him the ball. However, he was able to put up decent numbers in his rookie season, displaying some hope that he might be able to repeat the success. Last season, Blackmon recorded 865 yards and five touchdowns. He had at least 11 targets in each of his last four games of the season. Pick him up and stash him.
What makes Blackmon a good sleeper pick is the fact that he will be Gabbert's favorite target. On the passes Gabbert actually throws on target to the wide receiver, Blackmon will likely put up yards after the catch. This should make him relevant enough for a few points on the fantasy team.
Wednesday will be Blackmon's first time back at practice and head coach Gus Bradley says his attitude is great. He is very confident that Blackmon will return to right where he left off and will have no problem inserting back into the starting lineup.
"He's done tremendous these last four weeks," Bradley said, via the Florida Times Union. "His body fat has dropped and his weight has gained. He's in really, really good shape right now. He's done everything that we've asked of him, he went on the trips with us. I could go with a list on some of the things we asked him to do that he's done, so he's a in a great frame of mind right now."
Cecil Shorts was the leading receiver without Blackmon. He has put up 337 yards on 26 catches. That is at least a good sign that Blackmon should be able to put up decent numbers as well and he will get more targets than Shorts does.
According to Bradley, Blackmon is in great shape. He has retained his fitness throughout the suspension and should look strong on the field come Sunday.