JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Jaguars have taken another step toward parting ways with suspended receiver Justin Blackmon. The Jaguars removed Blackmons name plate from atop his locker, the latest indication that the former first-round draft pick has no future with the franchise. The team placed rookie quarterback Stephen Morris from Miami in the stall. Blackmon is suspended without pay indefinitely for repeated violations of the leagues substance-abuse policy, and general manager Dave Caldwell indicated last week that he would consider cutting Blackmon when and if he gets reinstated. Owner Shad Khan weighed in after the teams state-of-the-franchise presentation Tuesday. "I think its an absolute tragedy," he said. "I have a hard time expressing. Im a parent myself. I met with his parents. I think hes such a talented guy, the best years ahead of him. But after a while, its out of your control." The Jaguars have expressed disappointment with not being in contact with Blackmon, and NFL rules limit contact coaches and front-office personnel can have with suspended players. "The league has rules. We have to follow them. And its simple as that," Khan said. "The league, the players association, theres a huge amount of resources. The only thing I can (say) is please take advantage of it. If youre a player, its like all of this stuff is being offered to you. Take advantage of it. I think NFL players are so lucky from the viewpoint all these resources that are available to him." Blackmon was suspended the first four games of last year for violating the substance-abuse policy. He played four games before getting suspended again — at least for a year. The Jaguars had been hoping Blackmon would be eligible to return after eight games in 2014. But after losing contact with him, coach Gus Bradley said last week that "it doesnt sound like its going in the right direction. ... We cant count on him." Jacksonville drafted two receivers in the second round Friday to fill the void, selecting USCs Marqise Lee with the 39th overall pick and then adding Penn States Allen Robinson at No. 61. "Having those guys in that room will definitely help us get better on the field," fellow receiver Cecil Shorts III said. Blackmon has 93 catches for 1,280 yards and six scores in 20 games — all since Jacksonville traded up to select the former Oklahoma State star with the fifth overall pick in the 2012 draft. His problems have been off the field. Blackmon was involved in three substance-related incidents in three years. He was arrested on a misdemeanour DUI charge in Texas in 2010 after officers caught him speeding on a suburban Dallas highway. The charge was later reduced to an underage alcohol possession charge. A little more than a month after the Jaguars drafted him, he was arrested during a traffic stop in Stillwater, Oklahoma, after a breath test allegedly showed his blood alcohol content to be three times the legal limit. A subsequent violation landed him the four-game suspension. Another one got him the indefinite suspension. Khan said the tough part is that Blackmon doesnt seem to want help. "Its frankly hard to understand," Khan said. Lonnie Walker Jersey .J. -- John Elway says Peyton Manning cannot stamp himself as the greatest quarterback in NFL history even if he wins the Super Bowl on Sunday. Tim Duncan Jersey .Impact president Joey Saputo confirmed Thursday that he is part of a group of investors whose offer to buy the 105-year-old Italian club was accepted by the teams board of directors. https://www.spurslockerroom.com/Derrick-...ion-Jersey/.com) - Graeme McDowell opened up with a first- round, 5-under 67 on Thursday and he holds a 2-shot lead at the WGC - HSBC Champions. Sean Elliott Jersey . "Youre next." Hardly. Iguodala tormented his former team with a game better than any he ever played in eight seasons with the 76ers. Pau Gasol Jersey . "Yes, Id like to get them in," Detroits rookie manager said. "Mother Natures going to have a say in that." Sure enough, the Tigers had their game against the Kansas City Royals postponed because of rain on Thursday.NEW YORK -- Toby and Jodi Roark were in the midst of a 12-hour drive from Wilmington, Ill., to Washington, D.C., to watch their son Tanner pitch in the Nationals home opener. Then they got a call from their daughter-in-law, telling them he wouldnt be starting Friday. In the clubhouse at Citi Field, Tanners phone beeped. "My mom is texting me, Whats happening?" Tanner remembered. "They were bummed out." Jordan Zimmermann had a fever and was vomiting, so Roark started Thursdays series finale against the New York Mets on just three hours notice. After a shaky first inning, Roark recovered and the Nationals rallied for an 8-2 victory and an opening three-game sweep. "I just go with the flow," the 27-year-old right-hander said. "Whatever they tell me to do, its what Im here for." Ryan Zimmerman tied his career high with four hits, including three that led off innings. His second-inning home run off Zack Wheeler (0-1) started the Nationals comeback from a 2-0 deficit. Washingtons leadoff batter reached in the first seven innings, and the Nationals rallied to win for the third time in the series. While Washington opened 3-0 for the second straight season, the Mets fell to 0-3 for the first time since 2005. They had not lost their first three home games since 1997. "Theyre proud of the way theyve played so far and so am I," Nationals first-year manager Matt Williams said. "Just the way theyre grinding." Roark (1-0) made his major league debut on Aug. 7 last season and went 7-1 with a 1.51 ERA in five starts and nine relief appearances. He got just two swings and misses in the first four innings and fell behind 2-0 in a 30-pitch first but wound up allowing just the two runs and six hits in six innings with three walks and five strikeouts -- including his final four batters. "Thats what Tanners done since basically we called him up last year," Zimmerman said. "When its his turn to pitch, he goes out there and challenges the hitter.dddddddddddd. He throws a lot of strikes and works quick." Roark allowed an RBI double in the first to Curtis Granderson, who had been 0 for 9 with the Mets, and Juan Lagares sacrifice fly. Then he started making adjustments. "I was letting the ball go and not trying to pinpoint and try to nibble as much," he said. Wheeler gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings, trying to work out of trouble for much of the afternoon before a small crowd of 20,561, a couple hundred above Citi Fields record low. Washington went ahead 3-2 in the fifth when Denard Span hit an RBI single to right, advanced as Granderson heaved a two-hop throw home and scored on Jayson Werths two-out single. The Nationals broke open the game with a four-run seventh against relievers Scott Rice and Jeurys Familia that included a two-run single by Adam LaRoche off the glove of first baseman Lucas Duda. "I assure you, were better than what youve seen the last three days," Mets manager Terry Collins said. Soon after that, thoughts turned to the home opener against Atlanta. Roark said his parents and in-laws still plan to be in the stands at Nationals Park on Friday and Saturday. "Theyll still get there, spend time together, so thats good," he said. "First time in D.C., so that will be fun." NOTES: Washington pitchers struck out 39 in the series, third-most in any teams opening three games since 1914, according to STATS. The only teams with more were Texas last year (43) and Cleveland in 1966 (42). ... Mets 2B Daniel Murphy returned from paternity leave and had a throwing error and a fielding error in his season debut. ... Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson presented the Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience to the New York Mets, Walgreens and Monsignor John Brown, then bounced the ceremonial first pitch. ... Werth was 6 for 13 in the series and Zimmerman 6 for 14. ' ' '