When the Jaguars signed Oakland free agent Mychal Rivera on March 22, they envisioned him serving as the "move" tight end in offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett’s system, able to create mismatches throughout the field.

But might Rivera not get on the field this year?

Rivera’s spot may be debated when the Jaguars cut the roster from 90 players to 53 by Saturday.

Rivera has not practiced since Aug. 1 because of a hand injury. He has missed 18 straight practices and all three preseason games.

Last week, coach Doug Marrone hoped to have Rivera available for Thursday’s game at Atlanta, but Rivera did not practice this week.

The Jaguars have three options with Rivera: Keep him on the roster believing he is close to returning, place him on injured reserve (which would allow them to activate him later in the season) or cut him.

"It’s difficult when a player is not participating at all," Marrone said after practice Tuesday. "At the end of the day, that goes into the decision. … That’s a tough situation. Obviously, we wish he would have been able to come back. I have not spoken to him about where he is mentally with the injury."

Rivera posted seasons of 38, 59, 32 and 18 catches for the Raiders. Without him, the Jaguars have used Alex Ellis as the second tight end behind Marcedes Lewis.

Westbrook returns

Jaguars receiver Dede Westbrook (abdominal) returned from his second opinion in Philadelphia to practice Tuesday.

Asked how Westbrook looked moving around the field, Marrone said: "Not as well as I [would] like. I felt pretty confident the other day he was going to be able to play, Right now, I’m not sure. I’m probably more in a hoping mode that he plays. We’ll take that up all the way to game time to see if he can go."

Cornerback Jalen Ramsey (abdominal) isn’t expected to be available to play, but should be ready for Week 1.

"Just being smart," Marrone said.

Tailback T.J. Yeldon (hamstring), out since Aug. 17, has not returned to practice yet.

"He’s getting close," Marrone said.

Left guard still open

Even if the majority of the Jaguars’ starters don’t face Atlanta, Marrone may want to give the left guard spot a final look.

Patrick Omameh started the first two preseason games, but Luke Bowanko started against Carolina and split snaps with Omameh.

"People say it’s just a preseason game, but anytime you line up against an opponent, it’s an opportunity to test yourself and show yourself," Omameh said.

Omameh lost his grip on the starting spot with a sub-par Tampa Bay game. But he played better against Carolina.

"We wanted to show more execution last week," Omameh said. "And it’s important we continue on that train."

Is left guard the only spot undecided?

"We may have a couple more," Marrone said. "For me, I’m not as comfortable as I would like to be at this time with certain things and probably a little bit more from a role standpoint. [Left guard] one of the ones I’m not comfortable with."

By using the term, "role," Marrone could be referring to the entire roster and such spots as back-up cornerback, rotational defensive linemen and the back-up linebackers.

Etc.

Cornerback Aaron Colvin (knee) isn’t expected to play Thursday but he has not experienced any hiccups since being activated from the physically unable to perform list on Aug. 19. Colvin has been pleased with his practice work. "Just [working] on my technique and movement," he said. … It will be a busy weekend at Atlanta’s new football palace, Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Thursday – Jaguars-Falcons. Saturday – Alabama-Florida State. Monday – Tennessee-Georgia Tech.