JACKSONVILLE – The pads stayed on, and a high-profile rookie worked with the starters.

Myles Jack, the Jaguars' rookie linebacker, worked with the first team much of practice Thursday as starting middle linebacker Paul Posluszny had a veterans' day off on Day 6 of 2016 Training Camp.

It was the first extensive work with the starters for Jack, who many believed one of the two or three best players in the 2016 NFL Draft before concerns over a knee issue dropped him into Round 2.

The Jaguars worked in full pads Wednesday for a second consecutive day.

"It was fun; it's definitely a different pace going with the starters," Jack said after the Jaguars worked for about two hours, 20 minutes at the practice fields adjacent to EverBank Field in 90-degree temperatures that felt like 99.

"It was a good experience to get out there with those guys and try to command that huddle and really see how far I am. There's definitely stuff to work on, but I felt decent."

Defensive coordinator Todd Wash spoke to the media before practice, and said the team is pleased with Jack's progress – and that the team is not holding him back in practice. Jack missed all but three offseason practices because of an NCAA rule prohibiting rookies from participating in offseason workouts until their schools finish the spring semester.

Wash said the Jaguars will further define Jack's role as training camp continues.

"I'm trying to learn the defense," Jack said. "I'm not focused on playing time or if I'm going to be doing this or doing that. My focus in this training camp is, 'No TV, no nothing, no Twitter, no Instagram – just play football and learn how to be a professional."

Jack had worked with the second-team defense at middle linebacker until Wednesday. He said while he is playing faster than he did early in camp, he knew immediately he would have to play even faster with the starters.

"It's an adaptation to this game," Jack said. "That's the fun part about it – you never have it figured out, ever. To get reps with the ones really showed me where I need to be and how crisp I need to get."

Also Wednesday, Julius Thomas -- the veteran tight end who sustained an ankle injury late in practice Tuesday – returned to practice and worked full speed.

Kelvin Beachum, returning from a torn anterior cruciate ligament sustained last season and competing with Luke Joeckel for the starting left tackle position, had a planned veterans day off. He had been rotating with Joeckel at left guard and tackle in team work.

The Jaguars will practice again Thursday with a 10 a.m. session that is free and open to the public.

QUICK HITS

Wednesday was the first time the Jaguars' coordinators – Wash and Greg Olson (offense) – spoke to the media during '16 camp. A couple of highlights:

*Wash said he likes defensive tackle Malik Jackson at his current weight. Jackson lost 13 pounds between the end of the offseason and training camp. "Before we left on break, we sat down and we talked," Wash said of Jackson, who signed as an unrestricted free agent from Denver last March. "He was under the impression he needed to gain weight, so that was a miscommunication on my part. We said, 'No, we want you to lose some weight because you're going to have to play on first, second and third down.' He adjusted."

*Olson said the team isn't concerned about Beachum's progress returning from injury. "We kind of knew that going in over the summer," Olson said. "We weren't sure he would be able to start right away so we were happy that he was able to work from Day One a limited basis." While Beachum has yet to work in one-on-one pass rush drills, Olson said that's not an issue. "He'll have to prove he can do that, but as early as it is in camp it's not a concern,'' Olson said.

INJURY WATCH

Wide receiver Marqise Lee (hamstring) missed a fifth consecutive practice Wednesday.

Wide receiver Shaq Evans missed a second consecutive practice after sustaining a lower leg muscle strain injury in practice Sunday.

Beachum, Posluszny, defensive tackle Roy Miller and tight end Marcedes Lewis had planned days off. Offensive lineman Luke Bowanko (ankle) and defensive end Jonathan Woodard (Achilles) remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list.

PLAY OF THE DAY

It may not have been the highlight of the day, but it was cool to watch. In a one-on-one passing drill midway through practice, Pro Bowl wide receiver Allen Robinson ran a route on veteran Prince Amukamara. A few plays earlier, Robinson had caught a near-touchdown on Amukamara but came down out of bounds. On the play, Robinson faked outside and broke open in the middle of the end zone for an easy touchdown. Robinson walked close to Amukamara and spun the ball at his feet. Amukamara kicked the ball away as the pair returned to the drill.

HIGHLIGHTS

*Amukamara continued to stand out in early camp, defensing two would-be touchdown passes early in a red-zone passing drill late in practice. …

*Robinson caught a short touchdown pass in the red-zone passing drill late in practice. …

*Second-year defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. had an impressive spin/bull rush move to overpower offensive tackle Josh Wells for a sack in one-on-one pass rush drills. …

*Wide receiver Bryan Walters continued to have a good camp, catching a pass in tight traffic midway through practice. …

*Thomas caught a long pass from quarterback Blake Bortles in red-zone passing drills. ...