JACKSONVILLE – The pads went on – all of them this time.
The temperatures stayed relatively high, and the intensity did, too, and that meant that Day 5 of Jaguars 2014 Training Camp felt a little more like training camp.
And as far as Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley saw it, Wednesday morning's first full day of 2014 Training Camp in full pads was another in a stretch of good practices, with the team coming back with good intensity after a day off Tuesday.
"I was encouraged by what I saw today," Bradley said early Wednesday afternoon after the Jaguars worked for about two hours and 10 minutes in 87 degree temperatures in the late morning and early afternoon at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness Practice Fields.
The team worked at Bartram Trail High School Monday night, and Bradley said the team's effort and performance stayed at a high level Wednesday.
"There were times in OTAs (organized team activities) where we had a couple of days off, where we'd practice, have a long weekend and come back the next day and not perform like we wanted to," Bradley said. "That was the challenge today, was to have a really good scrimmage at Bartram Trail, have a players' day off and see how we came back and performed.
"I thought it was a nice job by our guys."
The Jaguars had worked in shoulder pads and shorts Sunday and Monday, but with practice in full pads on Wednesday the Jaguars worked more short-yardage and red-zone situations.
"It was a little different situation – a lot of teaching going on there," Bradley said, adding that the Jaguars may increase their amount of red-zone work in practice.
"It's an area of emphasis for us," Bradley said, "but overall I thought it was good being our first full day in full pads."
Linebacker John Lotulelei returned to practice off the non-football injury list Wednesday. Cornerback Alan Ball remained on the Physically Unable to Perform list, but could return in the next couple of days.
Linebacker Geno Hayes and defensive tackle Roy Miller, who have had veteran days off at times in training camp, practiced on Wednesday with players having been off Tuesday. Wide receiver Cecil Shorts III (hamstring) remains out.
Tight end Clay Harbor was injured Monday at the team's practice at Bartram Trail High School, and the team announced on Wednesday he will miss at least four weeks. Rookie free-agent Marcel Jensen likely will get added repetitions at tight end in Harbor's absence, and Bradley said he and General Manager David Caldwell haven't discussed a roster move at tight end.
"We haven't had that conversation yet," Bradley said. "The H spot is really where we're looking. That's where Clay plays."
The Jaguars will hold a walkthrough practice later Wednesday afternoon, and will hold another practice at 9:55 a.m. Thursday. Thursday's practice is free and open to the public, and the Jaguars will work that day in full pads.
The team will practice in pads again Friday morning, with a mock game/scrimmage scheduled at EverBank Field Saturday at 6:45 p.m.
INJURY WATCH
Lotulelei (hamstring) was activated from the non-football injury list and practiced Wednesday. Ball (ankle) and linebacker Dekoda Watson (sports hernia) remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list, with cornerback Aaron Colvin (knee) remaining on the non-football injury list. Safety Josh Evans (foot) practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and Shorts, Harbor and linebacker J.T. Thomas (hamstring) all missed practice.
PLAY OF THE DAY
There perhaps wasn't one play that stood out above all others Wednesday, but rookie wide receivers Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson continue to improve. Lee looks more comfortable by the day, catching a quick pass to the sideline early Wednesday and turning it into a first down. He also took a pitch from quarterback Blake Bortles and had a short gain to the sideline in 11-on-11 drills midway through practice. Lee and Robinson also each had a touchdown reception in red-zone drills later in practice.
HIGHLIGHTS
*Competition appears to be increasing on the interior of the offensive line, with rookie Brandon Linder getting extensive work with the first team in recent days at right guard. Veteran Jacques McClendon took extensive repetitions at the center position Wednesday, as did Mike Brewster. Brewster opened camp starting at center with McClendon and Linder sharing repetitions at right guard.
*Second-year offensive tackle Luke Joeckel had a pancake block on rookie defensive end Chris Smith early in the first padded 11 on 11 work of Jaguars 2014 Training Camp Wednesday.
*Safety Sam Young broke up a pass to tight end Marcedes Lewis early in 11-on-11 work Wednesday.
*Running back Jordan Todman also continued to look good early in camp, turning in multiple long runs around the end in early 11-on- 11 work.
.@lilduval watched #JagsCamp today at the @FLBlue Practice Fields. pic.twitter.com/ZMUgKSsoQy — Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) July 30, 2014