JACKSONVILLE – The first training camp of the Urban Meyer era started hot.
It also started with a spirited practice – one with no pads – on Day 1 of Jaguars 2021 Training Camp at the Dream Finders Homes Practice Complex Wednesday morning. The Jaguars practiced from about 9:45 to 11:30 a.m. in 83-degree temperatures that felt like 91 under cloudless skies.
"I haven't had many bad first days – ask me Day 12," Meyer said with a smile when asked if it was a "pretty good first day" of his first training camp as an NFL head coach. Meyer spent 17 seasons as one of the most successful head coaches in college football history and is now in his first season as the Jaguars' head coach after being hired in January.
Veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew II and rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence split repetitions with the first team on Day 1. Meyer said after practice that that was the plan entering camp. The team has not yet named a starter at the position.
"They rotated today," Meyer said. "It's a long process. Today, it was Gardner and Trevor."
With the team still in just helmets and no pads, practice remained non-contact. The Jaguars were fined for violating practice rules during organized team activities this past offseason, fines that Meyer said Wednesday stemmed from eight plays involving press coverage.
Meyer said Jaguars defenders will not play press coverage during the first four days of training camp, with the team's first padded practice scheduled for Tuesday.
"No press coverage today; it's all off (coverage)," he said.
Meyer met with the media shortly after practice, as did wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. and cornerback Shaquill Griffin. Coverage of all three of those availabilities can be found later on jaguars.com and Jaguars Media channels.
The Jaguars will practice again at 9:45 a.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a day off scheduled Sunday.
Here's a look at Wednesday's practice:
PLAY OF THE DAY
Lawrence stood out on Day 1, particularly during the 11-on-11 team drills late in practice. Lawrence showed quick release and confidence, completing deep throws during the drill to wide receivers Phillip Dorsett II and Josh Imatorbhebhe. But one of the highlights early in practice was a twisting catch by veteran tight end James O'Shaughnessy. He got deep down the right sideline and caught an accurate pass by Minshew, falling and cradling the ball for a 35-yard gain.
STANDING OUT
*With the Jaguars working without pads and with no contact Wednesday, offensive and defensive linemen weren't able to stand out as much as skill players. While Lawrence stood out among offensive players, Minshew also had several nice plays early – getting the ball out quickly to Imatorbhebhe on one intermediate route and completing passes that wide receivers Laviska Shenault Jr. and Laquon Treadwell turned into solid gains. …
*Veteran linebacker Lerentee McCray had a pass defensed on a pass from Minshew late in practice. …
*Veteran quarterback C.J. Beathard had back-to-back nice passes in an early drill, completing a long touchdown pass to wide receiver Tim Jones and throwing a 15-yard gain to tight end Tim Tebow. …
*Running back Carlos Hyde had a 10-to-15-yard run in the team drill late in practice. …
*Rookie running back Travis Etienne fumbled on an inside carry early in the late-practice team drill and had a nice run around end later in the drill. …
INJURY WATCH
No injuries were reported following Day 1.
NOTABLE
*The Jaguars placed defensive tackle Taven Bryan, kicker Aldrick Rosas wide receiver Jamal Agnew on the active/non-football injury list Monday. Rookie linebacker Dylan Moses remains on the active/non-football injury list.
*Cornerback CJ Henderson and cornerback Chris Claybrooks remain on the COVID-19 list. Linebacker Leon Jacobs remains on the active/physically unable to perform list.
