Justin Blackmon

It appears the NFL career of troubled Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon is over.

General manager David Caldwell said Tuesday the Jaguars have had no contact with Blackmon and believe his absence from the game for 21 months makes it unlikely the former first-round pick will ever play in the NFL again.

"I have not heard anything and I guess I harbor a little bit of hope but realistically I think when you're away from the game for two-and-a-half years what you were once is not what you probably will be," Caldwell said. "Your skills do erode and especially if you're not staying in tip-top shape and you're not in football shape.

"I don't know to expect but I would say 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."

Blackmon, whom the Jaguars took with the fifth overall pick in the 2012 draft, hasn't practiced or played since Week 8 of the 2013 season. That was when the NFL suspended him indefinitely for his third violation of the NFL's substance-abuse policy. He must apply for reinstatement and then go through a nearly two-month long vetting process before he can hope to get back on the field.