JACKSONVILLE – Day 15 brought a new opponent, some real heat and a splash of rain.
The Jaguars, after working last week against the New England Patriots in the comparative cool of Foxboro, Mass., held the first of two dual practices against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday on the practice fields adjacent to EverBank Field.
The two hours of work were held in 89-degree temperatures, with a brief rain late in practice.
Head Coach Doug Marrone spoke to the media after the 15th practice of Jaguars 2017 Training Camp, discussing again his decision to give second-team quarterback Chad Henne first-team repetitions in practice Sunday. Marrone said the move was his decision, and was designed to rest first-team quarterback Blake Bortles' arm after Bortles showed signs of arm weariness.
We'll have more on Bortles later on jaguars.com.
Marrone on Monday also addressed two key Jaguars injuries, saying rookie running back Leonard Fournette and wide receiver Marqise Lee likely will not play in Thursday's preseason game against the Buccaneers at EverBank Field. Fournette has missed the last two practices with a foot injury; Lee left practice Sunday with an ankle injury.
Images from the first day of joint practices with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
We also on Monday caught up with two players who may be working their way onto the 53-man roster: running back Corey Grant and wide receiver Keelan Cole. We'll have more from Marrone, Grant and Cole later in jaguars.com.
The practice with the Buccaneers followed a morning that featured several roster moves, primarily at cornerback.
The Jaguars in one set of moves signed rookie cornerback Dwayne Thomas and released rookie cornerback Ezra Robinson. Thomas originally signed as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots and was waived by the Patriots Friday; Robinson originally signed as an undrafted free agent with the Jaguars following the 20187 NFL Draft.
The Jaguars also on Monday morning signed tight end David Grinnage and waived/injured cornerback Josh Johnson. Grinnage who originally signed as an undrafted free agent with Green Bay in 2016; Johnson, a second-year veteran, played eight games for the Jaguars last season.
A look at Training Camp Day 15:
STANDING OUT
*The Jaguars' first-team offensive line fared well in one-on-one pass blocking drills early, then appeared to struggle overall in individual pass-blocking drills later in practice. Marrone said he wants more consistency from the offensive line, though rookie left tackle Cam Robinson appeared to hold his own in two repetitions early against Buccaneers starting defensive end Robert Ayers. …
*Bortles threw an early interception Monday, with a pass to wide receiver Allen Robinson being tipped by a Buccaneers defender and intercepted by cornerback Ryan Smith. Bortles also had an accurate stretch early Monday, completing back-to-back passes to wide receiver Allen Hurns and another intermediate route to tight end Marcedes Lewis. …
*Henne also threw an early interception on a tipped pass. …
*Jaguars kicker Jason Myers went 4-of-6 on field goals Monday. …
*Jaguars cornerback Tyler Patmon continued to impress, registering two interceptions on Monday after one on Sunday. He has at least six interceptions during the first two weeks of camp. …
*Defensive ends Dante Fowler Jr. and Yannick Ngakoue were both strong in early pass-rush work, with Fowler faring well against Buccaneers left tackle Demar Dotson. That's a good sign of progress for Fowler, who struggled against Dotson in dual practices during 2016 Training Camp. …
INJURY WATCH
Guard Earl Watford returned to practice after being out since early in camp, working in individual drills and on the side. Fournette attended practice, but did not work. Tight end Mychal Rivera, linebacker P.J. Davis and tight end Neal Sterling all missed practice Monday. Running back Chris Ivory and wide receiver Allen Hurns re-joined team work after being limited Sunday; Hurns mised Thursday's preseason opener against New England.
Cornerback Aaron Colvin remained on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Colvin has been out of practice since the beginning of camp.
NOTABLE
*Marrone said middle linebacker Paul Posluszny will work at the middle linebacker position in base defense this week with Myles Jack working at strong-side linebacker. Marrone said he wants to continue to determine the Jaguars' best linebacking group in base situations, and said Jack and Telvin Smith will remain the linebackers in nickel packages. …
*The Jaguars' first-team offensive line much of Monday: Robinson, left guard Patrick Omameh, center Brandon Linder, right guard A.J. Cann and right tackle Jermey Parnell. …
