JACKSONVILLE – Jalen Myrick says he's doing all he can do.
That's making the best of a difficult situation – a four-game suspension to start the 2016 regular season. Responding to that situation is what the Jaguars' third-year cornerback said much of his offseason is about.
"I'm preparing like I'm coming back Week 4, and like Week 4 is Week 1," Colvin said Tuesday following a morning practice on Day Two of Jaguars 2016 Organized Team Activities.
"When I get back Week 4, I'm going to be ready to compete and help this team win," he added.
Colvin, a 15-game starter at outside corner last season, will miss the first four regular-season games under an NFL suspension for a violation of the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances. Colvin spoke publicly about the issue for the first time Tuesday.
"Nothing's going to change for me," Colvin said. "I'm a competitor. There's nothing that motivates me more than looking in the mirror and saying, 'I'm going to be the best person I can possibly be.'''
Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley on Monday said he had been impressed with Colvin's work ethic and attitude during the offseason program.
"If you were to say, 'Gus, who's standing out in Phase One and Phase Two [of the offseason?]' Aaron Colvin,'' Bradley said.
Colvin, whose suspension was announced by the NFL in early April, opted not to disclose to the media the supplement for which he was suspended. He said he took the supplement while sick and was unaware it violated league rules.
"I was completely shocked, because it wasn't something I did knowingly," he said. "It is what it is, though. I'm the one who made the mistake. I'm not running from it. It's on me. At the end of the day, I have to be smart in the things I do. It was a lesson learned, and I won't make that mistake again.
"It's on me. I'm owning it. That's how I'm going to take it."
Colvin can participate in the Jaguars' entire offseason program, and also will be eligible to participate in training camp and preseason games. He will not be permitted around the Jaguars' facility during his four-week suspension.
"I have this time in preseason and before the season starts; I have to be ready to go when I get back," Colvin said. "Right now, I'm just going out there and focusing like I'm playing Game One and the rest will take care of itself."
Take a look at images from the Jaguars second day of organized team activities.
Colvin said he has spoken to other NFL players who have served similar suspensions to learn how they handled time separated from the team, adding that he hasn't yet decided if he will remain in Jacksonville during the suspension. He also said the support of the organization upon learning of his suspension was important.
"It was huge for me," Colvin said. "At times like that, some guys can feel lonely and can feel kind of isolated. I never felt that way. Everybody in the organization helped me out a ton."
The Jaguars are a deeper secondary this season than last season, having signed free-agent cornerback Prince Amukamara and drafted cornerback Jalen Ramsey No. 5 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. The additions could mean Colvin focusing more on playing a nickel cornerback role at which he excelled late in his rookie 2014 season.
"We've got a lot of guys who can play football at a high level," Colvin said of the additions. "To see the guys compete and see what they bring to the table … I'm just really excited. I'm excited for them when I'm gone and when I'm back. We're going to get this thing rolling."
