JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Mark Brunell had a headache Wednesday -- and that was before he saw what his starting offensive line would look like this weekend.

	Brunell

Still a little woozy from a concussion last week, Brunell was listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens. If he does return, he'll do it behind a juggled line.

Coach Tom Coughlin said rookie Mike Pearson will get his first start at left tackle Sunday, and Zach Wiegert will move from left to right tackle to replace Maurice Williams, who went on injured reserve with a broken leg.

The Jaguars (3-2) also lost Tony Brackens (knee) for the season, and suddenly, a team that had been free of injuries through four games is finding itself in a spot that has become familiar over the past few seasons.

"It's unfortunate, but it's part of the game,'' Brunell said. "It's been too much a part of our game around here, but hopefully, this is the end of it.''

Of course, nobody has more to lose than Brunell, who suffered his second career concussion last week on a helmet-to-helmet hit delivered by Samari Rolle of the Titans.

Those hits are illegal in the NFL, although no news on a fine for Rolle had yet come down as of Wednesday afternoon.

Brunell called the hit "borderline,'' and said he didn't really care whether Rolle was fined or not.

What he's more concerned about is the status of his offensive line. Pearson, a promising second-round draft pick out of Florida, will get his first start, and could have to go against two of the most-feared pass rushers in the league -- Michael McCrary, who is questionable with a knee injury, and Peter Boulware.

"You always say you don't fear your opponent, but you respect him,'' Pearson said. "I'm looking forward to it. I'm ready to get out there and start earning my paycheck.''

On defense, Paul Spicer appears to be the replacement for Tony Brackens at right end. Coughlin said a number of players -- including Rob Meier and Akin Ayodele -- would also get looks at that spot.

The debate over Brackens' injury continued Wednesday, with Coughlin fielding questions about whether he forced the hurting veteran to gut it out this year with a knee injury.

Brackens had surgery over the winter to clean up scar tissue from previous injuries, but he left some further damage untouched in the hope he could play this year and deal with it later. In training camp, Brackens realized the severity of the pain, but kept playing anyway.

"That's a doctor-patient kind of thing,'' Coughlin said. "My advice could be asked, and without a doubt, I would give it.''

Practicing only once a week, and playing at far below the level he's used to, Brackens finally gave in to the pain and opted for season-ending surgery.

Now, the question is whether he will return to the Jaguars next year. His base salary for 2003 is $5.5 million, a figure that would almost certainly have to be reduced by renegotiating his deal if he returns.

Asked whether Brackens would be back next season, Coughlin responded, "I'm just worried about today.''