It doesn’t sound like things have softened between the Jaguars and Jalen Ramsey. On his latest podcast, Ramsey reiterated his demand for a trade. 

“I’m not sure if I’ve played my final game for the Jags yet or not but my trade request still stands,” Ramsey said on the “17 Weeks” podcast (audio link) “Once respect is lost for both parties I think it is time to part ways.”

From Ramsey’s perspective, the respect has been gone for a while. The Jaguars have been unwilling to engage in serious talks with the cornerback and owner Shad Khan‘s recent efforts to reignite discussions haven’t moved the needle. Ramsey, of course, reciprocated the perceived lack of respect when he got in a heated argument with head coach Doug Marrone.

Despite the noise, Ramsey suited up to face the Titans last Thursday, but he’s likely played his last down in Jacksonville. This week, Ramsey many called shenanigans on the young star when he called out sick from practice with a mix of maladies, including back soreness, hamstring issues, and the flu. However, his latest excuse from work is as legitimate as it gets – Ramsey flew home to welcome his daughter into the world.

The Jaguars, sans Ramsey, will challenge the Broncos in Denver this weekend.

There has been plenty of speculation that Jalen Ramsey‘s reported illness and injuries that have kept him away from the Jaguars are really just a ruse to bolster his trade demand, but it would be quite a feat if he could fake the reason for his upcoming absence. Per a statement from head coach Doug Marrone, Ramsey is flying to Nashville tonight to be present for the birth of his daughter.

The statement reads as follows:

“Months ago in the offseason, Jalen notified me that he was expecting the birth of his second child in late September. We spoke about his recently and again today after practice and decided that it was best for Jalen to fly to Nashville tonight after meetings to be with his family during the birth of their daughter. He will return to the team when he’s ready, and we will provide an update at that time.”

Ramsey and Marrone had a blowup last week that may have precipitated the former’s trade demand, which he has not rescinded. The vague timeline that Marrone provided in his statement suggests that Ramsey may miss more than one game, though it remains to be seen if he will continue playing for the Jags at all. Perhaps Jacksonville will swing a deal to send the star CB to another club in exchange for premium draft capital.

Indeed, the Jaguars reportedly have several offers on the table that include a first-round draft choice, but the club may elect to hold onto Ramsey in the hopes that it can smooth things over and keep him in the fold for the long haul.

Jalen Ramsey might be in the building today, but he won’t be on the field. The star cornerback will not be participating in practice, per the Jags’ daily practice rundown. 

[RELATED: Ramsey Unlikely To Play This Week]

Ramsey says he’s suffering from a number of ailments, including lower back pain, hamstring trouble, and a recent bout of the flu that has kept him from practicing this week. Ramsey did play on Thursday night against the Titans, but it’s looking more and more unlikely that he’ll join the Jaguars on Sunday for their game against the Broncos.

The backdrop to Ramsey’s availability for this week’s game against the Broncos is the trade request he made recently. The Jaguars have been resistant to dealing Ramsey and there were reports last weekend that the corner would find a way to sit out of practice this week in hopes of pushing the team to push him off the roster.

Given all of that, reports about Ramsey’s illness and injuries have been met with doubt by many around the football world. In an effort to silence the doubting Thomases, Ramsey’s agent, David Mulugheta, insists that Ramsey’s ailments are legitimate. Mulugheta says that Ramsey told the team in the fourth quarter of last week’s victory over Tennessee that his back and ankle were bothering him, and he met with the team doctor and trainer after the game. He met with them again the following day to discuss his back, ankle, and hamstring, and on Monday, he received more treatment on his back and hamstring (Twitter links via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com).

Whatever the case on those fronts, it seems Ramsey’s continued presence on the Jacksonville roster doesn’t mean he’ll be on the field for them this week.

The saga continues. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey is expected to report to the Jaguars’ facility on Wednesday, but he says he’s not quite at 100%, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. Ramsey has been receiving treatment for hamstring and lower back ailments and it doesn’t sound as though he’ll be suiting up to face the Broncos on Sunday afternoon. 

[RELATED: Cardinals’ GM: “We’re Not Trading Patrick Peterson”]

Earlier this week, Ramsey called in sick with the flu, just days after a reported blowup with coach Doug Marrone that might have soured their relationship for good. Jags owner Shad Khan reportedly is willing to make Ramsey the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, but that might not be enough to slow the trade discussions.

By the time Ramsey turns 25 on Oct. 24, it seems likely that he’ll be elsewhere. Nearly every team in the league has some level of interest in Ramsey, though the Jaguars’ asking price could be prohibitive for many. Reportedly, the Jaguars are seeking two first-round picks in exchange for the Pro Bowler. At least a couple of clubs have offered one first-round choice, but two is a big ask, particularly since Ramsey’s new club would have to give him a top-of-the-market extension.

Of course, deadlines – and desperation – tend to spur action in the NFL. Would be-contenders that are 1-2, or even 0-3, could be willing to break the bank and cough up serious draft capital to acquire one of the game’s best defensive talents between now and the late October trade deadline.

When it was announced that Jalen Ramsey would play Thursday’s game with the Jaguars, the initial word was that he’d likely be moved the following day on Friday. Obviously Friday came and went, and Ramsey is still with Jacksonville.

Don’t expect a deal to get done anytime soon either. There is “no deal in the works,” according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link). A source told Rapoport that “the longer this goes on, the more likely it is he stays,” although Rapsheet notes that Ramsey hasn’t changed his stance and his trade demand still stands.

In a follow-up tweet, Rapoport’s NFL Network colleague Mike Garafolo notes that the “asking price is too high” and that it “doesn’t look like anyone is going to match it right now.” He also reports that it doesn’t look like the Jags plan on lowering their asking price, and that there’s “nothing percolating” on the trade front. As has been previously reported, it looks like the Jaguars are looking for multiple early picks, and likely multiple first-rounders.

Jacksonville appears to be hoping that their Thursday night win over the Titans will convince Ramsey to change his mind about a trade. The Jaguars appear rejuvenated with Gardner Minshew under center, so maybe their plan will be successful. We heard recently that Ramsey’s issue is with the front office and Tom Coughlin rather than with Doug Marrone and the coaching staff, making things somewhat more tenable for the time being. The Chiefs, Ravens, Vikings, Raiders, Eagles, and Seahawks have all reportedly made “substantive inquiries” on the young corner.