JACKSONVILLE – Cecil Shorts III is going to miss practice time again.
And while that's not the news Shorts or the Jaguars wanted two days into 2014 training camp, Head Coach Gus Bradley on Saturday said he doesn't doubt the fourth-year wide receiver will be ready to be productive when the season begins.
"I think it frustrates him more than anybody," Bradley said Saturday afternoon after the Jaguars worked for about two hours and 10 minutes in 86 degree temperatures in the late morning and early afternoon at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness Practice Fields.
"You really want to come out here, but it's a couple of weeks. We trust Cecil so much as far as being ready mentally. He knows what to do. We'll have enough time. We'll be OK."
Shorts, a four-year veteran who missed time in the offseason with a calf injury, left practice with a hamstring injury Friday and did not participate in Saturday's practice. He arrived in practice Saturday about halfway through the day's work and shook hands with all of his wide receiver teammates.
Bradley said overall the Jaguars are off to a productive start in '14 camp.
"It was another really good day," Bradley said. "We came out here and really competed. I thought the guys did a great job on the field right from the start.
Shorts wasn't the only new injury situation. Tight end D.J. Tialavea is recovering from a quad strain, and linebacker J.T. Thomas was being evaluated after Saturday's practice with a hamstring strain.
Also Saturday, starting outside linebacker Geno Hayes did not participate after working full Friday. Hayes started 14 games last season before missing the last two games with a knee injury, and the plan is for him to work on a day-on, day-off basis during training camp.
The Jaguars will hold a walkthrough practice later Saturday afternoon, and will hold a practice that is open to the public at 9:55 Saturday. That practice will not be in pads.
The team will begin working in full pads Wednesday, July 30.
INJURY WATCH
Cornerback Alan Ball (ankle) and linebacker Dekoda Watson (sports hernia) remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list, with cornerback Aaron Colvin (knee) opening on the non-football injury list. Safety Josh Evans (foot) practiced on a limited basis and linebacker John Lotulelei (hamstring) remained out to start camp. Shorts missed practice after experiencing tightness on Friday.
**
**
PLAY OF THE DAY
The play of the day came during what might also be described as the Drive of the Day, and both came from rookie quarterback Blake Bortles. During an 11-on-11, two-minute period midway through practice, the No. 3 overall selection in the 2014 NFL Draft connected with veteran Kerry Taylor on a deep pass down the sideline over second-year cornerback Jeremy Harris. After a short pass to tight end Clay Harbor, Bortles connected with rookie Damian Copeland in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. Players celebrated and fans cheered. "I thought the offensive execution was really well done," Bradley said of the two-minute period. "Blake had a nice day today, especially in that two-minute situation."
QB @BBortles5 threads the needle and hits WR @DCizzle7 for a diving TD. #JagsCamp Central: http://t.co/IE3EFUMlTM pic.twitter.com/eYW9NmxoKd — Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) July 26, 2014
HIGHLIGHTS
*Veteran quarterback Chad Henne was sharp in practice early, and connected with rookie wide receiver Allen Hurns on a comeback route in two-minute. Hurns continues to look sharp and play with consistency. "The quarterbacks I think are playing pretty well," Bradley said. "I thought Chad had a pretty good day."…
*Bradley said overall the receiving corps had a good day, and that rookie wide receiver Allen Robinson continues to impress. "He continues to compete," Bradley said. "Every play, they're getting coached (by wide receivers coach Jerry Sullivan). You can see it on the field and they're taking it all in."…
*Rookie defensive end Chris Smith deflected a pass from veteran quarterback Ricky Stanzi in the two-minute drill. Smith is expected to provide depth and compete at the Leo defensive end/pass-rushing position. …
*Stanzi later had a nice back-shoulder pass to veteran receiver Tandon Doss in thw two-minute drill. …
