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JACKSONVILLE – The pads stayed on, which meant the start of a long week.
The Jaguars on Monday went through a two-and-half-hour practice in 82-degree temperatures on the practice fields adjacent to EverBank Field, working in full pads for a second consecutive practice.
The Jaguars worked in full pads Saturday evening, and the plan is for the team to work in full pads Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone has said he expects this week to be difficult on both players and coaches.
Marrone spoke to the media after Monday's practice, addressing the unexpected retirement of left tackle Branden Albert Monday. More on that will be on jaguars.com later Monday, but Marrone said he didn't have any idea in advance of Albert's plans.
Albert, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, had been acquired in a March trade with the Miami Dolphins. He had been expected to compete with rookie Cam Robinson at left tackle.
Marrone said Albert informed of his decision Monday morning. Marrone had little reaction to the retirement after practice Monday, saying his focus had been on practice.
Robinson also spoke to the media after practice, saying he learned of Albert's retirement around the same time many people did – early Monday before practice. Robinson, the No. 34 overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, said his approach will not change because of Albert's retirement. He had worked only at left tackle since joining the Jaguars, and he said he expects that to continue.
Here's a look at Day 4 practice:
STANDING OUT
*Rookie running back Leonard Fournette continued to look good early in '17 camp, breaking through the line for intermediate and long runs early in 9-on-7 drills Monday. …
*The Jaguars' veteran wide receiver trio of Allen Hurns, Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee continued to look good early, running crisp routes and catching the ball well on Monday. …
PLAY OF THE DAY
This came from Lee and quarterback Blake Bortles, with Bortles throwing a long pass down the left sideline to Lee late in practice. Lee caught the ball with a step on the defender and ran away from the defense for a long gain in 11-on-11 drills. Bortles for the most part looked better Monday, not throwing an interception and throwing with accuracy most of the day. He had thrown five interceptions in the Jaguars' first full-padded practice of '17 camp Saturday. Marrone said Bortles responded well Monday following Saturday's practice.
INJURY WATCH
Defensive end Calais Campbell missed practice. Marrone said later it was an off day for the 10-year veteran.
Cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Colvin and rookie fullback Marquez Williams remained on the Physically Unable to Perform list. All three have been on PUP and out of practice since the beginning of camp last Thursday.
NOTABLE
*With Albert retiring Monday, the Jaguars worked with a new combination on the first-team offensive line Monday: veteran Josh Wells at left tackle, Patrick Omameh at left guard, Brandon Linder at center, A.J. Cann at right guard and Jeremiah Poutasi at right tackle. It marked the first first-team work for Omameh, Wells and Poutasi during '17 camp. Marrone said after practice that Parnell took only individual reps on Monday. …
*The Jaguars on Monday signed second-year cornerback Charles Gaines and waived/injured first-year cornerback Taurean Nixon. Gaines (5-feet-10, 180 pounds), a sixth-round selection by Cleveland in the 2015 NFL Draft, has spent time with Buffalo and Cleveland. If Nixon clears waivers, he will revert to the team's reserve/injured list.
