Jacksonville Jaguars camp observations from Day 17 at the Miller Electric Center as the team eased into the final week of training camp.
Player attendance
Not participating: RB LeQuint Allen Jr., WR Jakobi Meyers, LBs Yasir Abdullah and Jack Kiser, OLs Jimto Obidegwu, Geron Christian Sr. and Patrick Mekari, NT Albert Regis, Keivie Rose.
Jaguars go slow with ‘jog through’ final period
The Jaguars are easing into the final week of training camp. With joint practice days with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on deck, the team didn’t take any risks of further injury and went through the final period of the day at a “jog” pace.
They conducted a lengthy period where starters went against backups on both sides of the ball and were participating at about half of a half speed. After having a sizeable injury list last week, the team is trying to avoid picking up any late damages that’ll bleed into the regular season.
It also gave coaches a chance to evaluate end of roster players who they are considering for Jacksonville’s practice squad after roster cuts are made, per Liam Coen.
“A day like today, that’s an op for us to be able to see some of these young guys,” Coen said. “Can they follow direction when we’re asking them to kind of give a look in a way? Can they handle that? Or can they not handle that?”
Travis Hunter spends entire practice on defense despite Meyers’ injury
Jakobi Meyers had a brace on his right hand as he did on Friday night during the preseason game. His injury timeline hasn’t been updated since Coen told reporters Meyers would be reassessed before the joint practice.
Despite the speculation on social media, Travis Hunter did not get an uptick in reps to replace Meyers. He didn’t get additional reps last week as Parker Washington missed days either.
The team is following the plan they laid out in January and allowing Hunter to continue trending toward a starter at defensive back when the season begins in a few weeks.
Tempers flare, cool out quickly
A scene played out during practice that has become all too familiar for defensive back Jourdan Lewis. Tasked with covering Parker Washington, the shifty receiver beat him for a quick pass.
As Washington was securing the catch, he held the ball over his head and the two players got tangled up. Lewis and Washington then got into each others faces and had a short shoving match before grabbing at each others facemasks.
The scuffle was over as quick as it started and didn’t carry over into any other period, but it was fairly close to boiling over. Cooler heads prevailed.
Big play
Defensive lineman Matt Dickerson had the play of the day when he intercepted a screen pass and returned it for a touchdown. Dickerson snagged the errant pass from Trevor Lawrence with one-hand and outran Jacksonville’s offense, almost trampling Coen in the process.
It was a big time play for the seventh-year veteran as he tries to establish himself as an immediate backup to Arik Armstead and DaVon Hamilton. He’s trending toward being a roster lock as cut down day approaches.
Josh Hines-Allen jokingly told reporters after practice that he made sure to run with Dickerson to the endzone so he’d be taken out for the next play.
Thumbs up
Chris Rodriguez continues to impress. He broke free for a long run and earned kudos from Coen after practice for the way he performed.
Thumbs down
Camp fights. The Jaguars had the perfect opportunity to release some frustration and didn’t. Oh well.
What’s next for the Jaguars
The Jaguars will hold a walkthrough on Aug. 24 ahead of their two joint practices with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers later in the week.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars camp observations as the team has ‘jog through’ practice
Reporting by Juston Lewis, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
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By Juston Lewis, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union | USA TODAY Network
