JACKSONVILLE – Jaguars 2023 Training Camp continued Thursday.
It was the 13th day of the second training camp under Head Coach Doug Pederson, featuring a practice in shorts and shells at the Miller Electric Center. Each day throughout camp, four members of Jaguars Media – senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton, senior reporter/editor J.P. Shadrick and team reporter Kainani Stevens – will share an observation.
Here are Thursday's "campservations:"
John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…
- Thursday's practice was among the lightest and shortest of camp, so the day's observation focuses more on the big picture than a single day. Among the big-picture storylines of '23 camp is that the draft class in the first two-and-half weeks has shown signs of being very good. Right tackle Anton Harrison (Round 1), tight end Brenton Strange (Round 2) and running back Tank Bigsby (Round 3) have flashed – and players such as guard Cooper Hodges (Round 7), pass rusher Yasir Abdullah (Round 5), safety Antonio Johnson (Round 5) and wide receiver Parker Washington (Round 6) have shown enough in camp to make you think they could be future starts/major contributors in their second or third seasons. Keep an eye on the starters on Saturday in Preseason Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys, but keep an eye on the aforementioned rookies, too. They're off to a good start, even if it's just a start.
Brian Sexton, Jaguars Senior Correspondent …
- The depth of the wide receiving corps is notable. We've spent a lot of time discussing the big three – Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk and Zay Jones – and rightly so; all have had impressive moments this summer. We know what Jamal Agnew provides and Parker Washington eventually will have a role. The competition at the sixth and final spot likely will come down to Tim Jones and Kevin Austin – and you probably know about them. But there is more to like in this receiver group. I'm watching Seth Williams and Jaray Jenkins – who are both 6-feet-2 and run really well – and wondering if they can hang on to the practice squad. For that matter, 6-4 Elijah Cooks and 6-5 Jacob Harris have both made big catches this camp and look worthy of a practice-squad slot. The next three weeks will decide which receivers – and how many – make the cut, but there is a lot of talent beyond the big three that will make Saturday in Dallas fun to watch.
J.P. Shadrick, Jaguars Senior Report/Editor …
- The Jaguars practiced Thursday with another lighter-paced day in preparation for Saturday's preseason opener against the Cowboys. Cornerback Tyson Campbell returned to practice and made an interception, though he's still in the protocol. Quarterback C.J. Beathard connected with Williams on a deep pass along the sideline. There was plenty of special teams time Thursday. The team travels to Dallas Friday, and then it's finally game on.
Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer ...
- Thursday was a light day as the team kept things lowkey before Saturday's first preseason game in Dallas. It was good to see Campbell back in action as he worked his way through concussion protocol. He even came down with an interception in 11-on-11. There was nothing groundbreaking as camp has hit that time "real" game action is needed. I'm looking for one clean scoring drive from the starters and am interested to see how some of the rookies play under the bright lights.
