JACKSONVILLE – UPDATE: The Jaguars sustained their first high-profile injury of 2013 Training Camp early Monday afternoon.
But indications were an injury to quarterback Blaine Gabbert wasn't serious.
Gabbert, the team's starting quarterback the first 10 games of last season, sustained a right ankle sprain during the final drill of practice Monday at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness Practice Fields adjacent to EverBank Field.
The extent of the injury initially was unknown, but around 1:15, Gabbert was asked in the locker room how he was.
He responded with a thumbs up, and players in the locker room indicated that Gabbert was going to be fine.
Gabbert sustained the injury when offensive guard Uche Nwaneri was pushed backward, with Gabbert moving forward, then falling to the field and grabbing his leg.
Gabbert was helped to his feet and appeared to slam his helmet on the turf. He was then assisted to a shaded area on the far end of the practice field before riding a cart from the practice field to EverBank Field a short distance away.
Veteran Chad Henne – the Jaguars' starter the final six games of last season – and rookie free agent Matt Scott split reps after Gabbert left. Gabbert had been splitting reps with the first- and second-team with Henne the first four days of practice.
Running back Maurice Jones-Drew, defensive end Jason Babin, defensive tackle Roy Miller and center Brad Meester all returned to practice Monday after getting a "veterans" day off on the third day of training camp.
The Jaguars are scheduled to go through a walk-through Monday evening, will resume practice Wednesday at 9:55 a.m. at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness practice fields. Players are off Tuesday.
INJURY WATCH
Safety Johnathan Cyprien (hamstring) remained on the reserve non-football injury list on the fourth day of camp. Wide receiver Justin Blackmon (groin), wide receiver Taylor Price (foot) and offensive guard Stephane Milhim (knee) remained on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Wide receiver Jeremy Ebert returned to practice for the first time since sustaining a blow to the head Friday. He was reported to be symptom free, but has not been cleared. Safety Steven Terrell also did not practice because on a sprained arch and wide receiver Tobais Palmer missed practice with a sprained ankle.
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PLAY OF THE DAY**
While Gabbert's injury was easily the most significant moment Monday, there were plays that stood out early, particularly a running play featuring Denard Robinson.
Robinson, who had struggled in practice on Sunday, took a direct snap from center, and handed the ball to three-time Pro Bowl running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who turned the play into a long gain. Robinson also ran three other plays taking snaps from center, and completed a pass to Mike Brown on one of those plays.
Robinson was taken off punt returns on Monday, with Bradley saying he has a chance to make a significant impact as a kickoff returner.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Rookie wide receiver Ace Sanders had one of the best moves of training camp, turning fellow rookie corner Dwayne Gratz around on an out route during a passing drill.
- Gabbert started practice by going five of five on his first series, a series that included a 15-yard pass down the seam to veteran receiver Jordan Shipley.
- Henne followed Gabbert's series with a three-for-three possession, meaning the quarterbacks completed their first eight passes of the day.
- Gabbert struggled on his second series of practice, going one for five, but he had bounced back before the injury, completing a 20-yard pass to Sanders.
- Jones-Drew had several quick runs aside from the long run off the handoff from Robinson. He appears to continue to approach playing shape and appears to be regaining quickness.
LOOKING ON . . .
*Robinson has been a major focus of training camp early, and much of that attention has been on his efforts to hold on to the ball. The rookie fifth-round draft choice has had issues with ball security, enough that Head Coach Gus Bradley addressed the situation Monday. Here's what's important to remember about Robinson –that while he's a high-profile player, having been the quarterback at Michigan, being a fifth-round selection he is very much a developmental player. He also is still trying to find a role in the NFL, working at running back receiver and even quarterback at times this training camp. He is very much a work in progress, and what "work in progress" means is there will be starts and stops. Robinson is developing, and that's what this training camp is for him.
*Monday was the second practice in as many days in shoulder pads, and the last before the Jaguars' first full-pads practice Wednesday. That will be the first chance to get an extended look at and evaluation of many of the linemen expected to be storylines at 2013 training camp. Rookie Luke Joeckel is making the transition from left tackle in college to right tackle in the NFL, and he figures to be matched up against another players who will be watched closely during camp, second-year defensive end Andre Branch. There also likely will be good competition on the interior of the defensive line, where players such as Roy Miller, Sen-Derrick Marks and Kyle Love – players who figure to form the core of the tackle rotation will get their first padded work since joining the roster as free agents.
