JACKSONVILLE – The starters will play about a quarter.
That includes quarterback Chad Henne, with Head Coach Gus Bradley saying Thursday the second-team – including rookie quarterback Blake Bortles – could play a little longer after that in the Jaguars' preseason opener.
Beyond that, Bradley said he wasn't sure about specific playing time when the Jaguars play host to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Friday at 7:30 p.m.
He said he does know Bortles will not get repetitions with the first team. The No. 3 overall selection in the 2014 NFL Draft, Bortles has worked with the second team throughout training camp.
And Bradley said that will stay that way Friday.
"We're not going to (work Bortles) with the starters this game," Bradley said Thursday after the Jaguars held a one-hour, 25-minute late-morning/early-afternoon walkthrough practice in 90-degree temperatures at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness Practice Fields.
"We're looking at (Bortles playing) the second quarter. We'll see how it goes in the third quarter, but we'd like to get him some extended reps."
Bradley added that Bortles could start the second half.
"He could," Bradley said.
The Jaguars worked Thursday without pads, conducting a practice that had minimal preparation for Tampa Bay.
"It was a good practice," Bradley said. "We're still in that training camp mindset. It was good, even though we took them out of their pads and their helmets."
Bradley said the general "rule of thumb" Friday will be to play starters about a quarter, or about 10-to-15 repetitions, although that could vary based on situations. If, for example, the defensive line only gets a chance to play the third-down rush group twice in the first quarter, that group could play longer.
"We have some flexibility as far as what we need to see," Bradley said.
Bradley said a constant message to Bortles and all players entering the first preseason game is not to try to do too much on every play.
"Guys fall trap to it," Bradley said. "Even eight-year veterans, they get caught up in it. We'll see. I'm looking forward to seeing it."
Wide receiver Mike Brown (hamstring) is expected to play after leaving practice Wednesday, meaning rookie Marqise Lee, rookie Allen Hurns and Brown likely will be the team's top three receivers Friday.
Wide receiver Cecil Shorts III (hamstring), running back Toby Gerhart (hamstring), tight end Clay Harbor (calf), tight end Brandon Barden, wide receiver Tandon Doss (ankle), wide receiver Allen Robinson (hamstring) and linebacker J.T. Thomas (hamstring) also remained out of practice and will not play Friday.
Cornerback Alan Ball (ankle) and safety Sherrod Martin (groin) are considered day-to-day and a decision on their status will be made Friday.
INJURY WATCH
Linebacker Dekoda Watson (sports hernia) remains on the physically unable to perform list, with cornerback Aaron Colvin (knee) remaining on the non-football injury list.
LOOKING ON . . .
*Brown's return from a hamstring issue not only means he, Hurns and Lee will be the top three receivers Friday, it gives the Jaguars six wide receivers available Friday including Kerry Taylor, Lamaar Thomas, Chad Bumphis, Chad Hall, Kenny Shaw and Ramses Barden. Shorts, Doss and Robinson remain out, and wide receiver Ace Sanders is out of camp addressing personal issues. Although Hall and Barden signed Wednesday, Bradley said both could play Friday. …
*With starter Gerhart out, Bradley said backup Jordan Todman likely will start with rookie Storm Johnson next at running back followed by Denard Robinson. "They'll all get quite a few reps," Bradley said. …
BRADLEY SAYS
"We took today to talk a little bit about the players' roles (against Tampa Bay). We don't get too specific on it. We give them a general idea. We really just told them, 'Hey, you play until we take you out. Have that mindset.' We do have a plan for a lot of them and how much we're going to play them.''
--- Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley
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