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Jaguars LB Paul Posluszny may still be able to play with fractured hand

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Paul Posluszny has a fractured right hand, but there is a possibility he can still play in the team's final four games.

Posluszny was meeting with the team's medical staff Monday to discuss treatment and options that would allow Posluszny to still play. That could involve wearing a hard or soft cast, but tackling would certainly be an issue.

If Posluzny were unable to play, that would be a huge loss for the defense. He missed the Tampa Bay game earlier this season with a high-ankle sprain, and the Buccaneers ran for 183 yards with undrafted rookie Thurston Armbrister starting in Posluzny's spot. That was the most rushing yards the Jaguars had allowed in a game this season until they gave up 210 yards to Tennessee on Sunday, though 87 of those yards came on Marcus Mariota's touchdown run on a seven-man blitz.

The Jaguars could be down two linebackers if Dan Skuta's groin has not healed enough to allow him to return to the field. He's missed three of the last four games because of the injury. Armbrister started in his place against the Titans and got benched for Jordan Tripp, a second-year player from Montana.

Jaguars coach Gus Bradley said Tripp would start in Posluszny's place next Sunday against Indianapolis if Posluszny is not able to play.

The other option the Jaguars have at linebacker is Hayes Pullard III, the Cleveland Browns' seventh-round draft pick this year who signed with Jacksonville as a free agent.