JACKSONVILLE -- Senior writer John Oehser's five takeaways from Jaguars 2015 Training Camp Wednesday at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness practice fields …
1)Updating Marqise Lee.We begin this 2015 Training Camp takeaways with an update on Jaguars wide receiver Marqise Lee, a second-year veteran who sustained a hamstring injury two weeks ago and has been considered week-to-week since. Head Coach Gus Bradley on Wednesday said while Lee likely will miss at least two more weeks, there initially was concern he could miss six-to-eight weeks with a four-week absence the best-case scenario. Bradley said it now appears likely Lee's return will come close to four weeks from the time of his injury. "Everything I hear, he's making really good progress," Bradley said. If Lee returns four weeks after the injury, that would be the week of the final preseason game. Whether or not Lee plays in the preseason finale, Wednesday's update provides hope he may play in the regular-season opener against Carolina at EverBank Field September 13.
2)Either or …Bradley said Wednesday he still does not have an timetable on naming a starting center. Luke Bowanko and Stefen Wisniewski have split repetitions working with the first team throughout training camp, with Bowanko starting the preseason opener and Bradley saying Wednesday the plan remains to start Wisniewski against the New York Giants Saturday in Preseason Week 2. Bradley said earlier in training camp while he would like to have a starter named by around Preseason Week 3, that's not a hard deadline. "We'll talk more tonight and another game will be a chance to evaluate it," Bradley said. "Probably after that game we'll get a chance to reassess where everything is at." Quarterback Blake Bortles on Wednesday said from his perspective there's no rush to make a decision. "A lot of people make a big deal out of it, but for me, it's honestly not a big deal at all," he said. "There's no difference in either one of them as far as taking a snap or everything that goes on. They're both really smart guys that have a good understanding of the offense and protections."
3)Better fit, better outlook.Consider Toby Gerhart a very happy player these days. Not only did the veteran running back perform well as a runner and receiver in the preseason opener, he likes how the Jaguars' new offense fits his style. The offense under coordinator Greg Olson emphasizes "downhill," between-the-tackle running – Gerhart's strength – whereas last season the focus under offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch largely was on outside zone runs. "Last year I walked into the first offensive meeting and we said, 'We're going to be the best outside-zone running team in the league,''' Gerhart said during an appearance on jaguars.com live Wednesday. "I was like, 'Oh, man, I don't know. I can do it, but it's not my style.' This year we're much more downhill, inside-zone, counter schemes and power. It's stuff I feel I can excel in and I'm excited about it."
4)Marks on schedule. To hear Bradley tell it, defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks continues to progress well. Marks, who has been on the Physically Unable to Perform list throughout training camp, spent the offseason rehabilitating a torn anterior cruciate ligament and is aiming to return for the regular-season opener. He has worked out on the side of practice in camp, but has not yet practiced. Bradley said Marks is scheduled to be tested for quad strength soon. "That's a big reading for us to see where he's at, but everything says he's right on schedule," Bradley said. If Marks remains on PUP once the regular season begins, he must remain there for at least six weeks. If he is not ready for Week 1, the Jaguars still have the option of moving him to the active roster and making him inactive until he is able to play.
5)Keep an eye on … Rashad Greene.The rookie from Florida State is a player to watch in the next two preseason games, with the question being just what role he will play this season – particularly early. Greene, a fifth-round selection in the 2015 NFL Draft, appears certain to be one of the team's top four-to-five receivers, but he played sparingly on offense in the preseason opener. He made his biggest impact as a punt returner with a 37-yard return – and that appears to be the spot where he will contribute the most early. Bradley said Tuesday Greene has been dealing with Achilles tendinitis – and that Greene looked significantly faster with three days' rest after the preseason opener. Watch to see how the Jaguars manage that in coming weeks in an effort to get the most out of Greene.