JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jaguars receiver Jerry Porter, who has missed all of training camp recovering from hamstring surgery, didn't return Monday and is close to being ruled out for the season opener.
Coach Jack Del Rio said Porter would need two weeks of practice, and Jacksonville is already less than two weeks away from their Sept. 7 opener against Tennessee.
"I would say if he doesn't practice by (Tuesday) there's a very slim chance he'll play in the opener," Del Rio said.
The Jaguars signed Porter as a free agent from Oakland with the idea of him becoming their top receiver. He injured his hamstring during team workouts in May and had surgery for a torn hamstring tendon in June.
Del Rio wouldn't say when he thought Porter would return.
"When he returns, we'll start the time," he said. "While he's mending we are going to carry on and look forward to getting him back. We'll play him when he's ready to play."
The team's wide receivers have been beset by injuries and other problems.
Reggie Williams hurt his knee and had missed the entire preseason before returning in Saturday's 23-17 win over Tampa Bay. Mike Walker has been limited by a knee problem, and Troy Williamson, acquired from Minnesota earlier this year, has battled groin and hip flexor problems.
Matt Jones was arrested in July on cocaine possession charges and is facing trial Oct. 10.
Nine-year veteran Dennis Northcutt has stayed healthy but didn't catch his first preseason pass until the third game against the Buccaneers. Ryan Hoag and John Broussard also are on the roster.
Del Rio said running back Maurice Jones-Drew mildly sprained an ankle against Tampa and will be held out of practice and probably won't play in Thursday night's preseason finale at Washington.
Porter and Jones-Drew didn't attend practice Monday.
The Jaguars juggled their roster heading into the first round of cuts by signing running back Ciatrick Fason and releasing guard Chris Liwienski. Fason, a Jacksonville native, spent two seasons with Minnesota. Liwienski was signed July 31.
The team must cut the roster from 81 to 75 players Tuesday.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
