JACKSONVILLE – Cecil Shorts III says he's ready.
And actually, the third-year wide receiver said he has been ready, having run full speed last week before missing a second consecutive game with a calf strain.
"I've been able to run for a while now – they've just been being cautious," Shorts said Monday morning as the Jaguars began early preparations for their preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles Saturday at EverBank Field.
Shorts, who missed the first two preseason games after leading the Jaguars in receiving yards last season, likely will return to practice on Tuesday.
"They feel like he will be ready tomorrow," Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley said.
Shorts said while he felt perhaps a bit of pain last week "here and there," he now is "fully 100 percent."
"I'm ready to go," he said.
Shorts, who was playing as well as any Jaguars player in training camp before his injury, wasn't the only player Bradley said likely will return to practice Tuesday. Veteran linebacker Russell Allen, who missed Saturday with an ankle injury, is expected to return to practice, as is defensive end Brandon Deaderick (groin), who has yet to play in the preseason.
"We feel good about their progress," Bradley said.
The following players are expected to be limited Tuesday after sustaining injuries Saturday: running back Jordan Todman (hamstring), cornerback Kevin Rutland (quadriceps) and tight end Marcedes Lewis (calf). Rookie right tackle Luke Joeckel, the No. 2 overall selection in the 2013 NFL Draft, is "still pending" with a hip flexor injury, Bradley said. Joeckel missed Saturday after playing in the preseason opener.
"He feels a lot better but he still feels it a little bit, so we'll err on the side of caution with him," Bradley said.
Bradley also said the team is continuing to monitor tight end Isaiah Stanback (groin), cornerback Jeremy Harris (back) and running back Justin Forsett (toe).
Also around the Jaguars:
*Bradley said the issue of penalties will continue to be addressed this week. The Jaguars committed 12 penalties for 100 yards against the Jets on Saturday. "Jumping offsides, that's not thinking," he said. "We talk about playing smart; well, that's not playing smart. We addressed it last week but obviously we need to do it a little bit more this week. We have officials out there throwing it and marking them back but somehow we've got to get it through to our guys. Some of it is just being aggressive. They know in some of the situations we're trying to evaluate our four-man rush and some guys were trying to jump the gun. They've still got to play within the rules." . . .
*Bradley said the coaches have yet to discuss playing time for running back Maurice Jones-Drew Saturday against the Eagles. The three-time Pro Bowl selection played the Jaguars' first series Saturday, rushing three times for nine yards and catching a 20-yard pass. "I thought it was a good start for him to get out there," Bradley said. "I'm glad that we did it. He had some success and he had some runs." . . .
*Jones-Drew said he's not concerned whether he plays Saturday or how much he plays. "It's whatever they want to do," Jones-Drew said. "I've played in all four and I've played in none. It depends what the coaches want. What I want doesn't matter." . . .
*Defensive end Andre Branch, a second-round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, played seven snaps against the Jets. That was the fewest of any defensive lineman on the team Saturday. "We've got about eight guys that we're looking at for those four spots," Bradley said. "It's unfortunate that we had a lot of third-and-six and less (situations). You'd like to get third and seven, third and eights to where you can really see the rush and it's not a lot of three-step (drop) game (for the opposing quarterback) so we're going to continue that into this week. We'll continue to evaluate it because we're not getting them enough reps in those situations to see."
*The team had just one dropped pass against the Jets Saturday after having seven drops in the preseason opener against Miami.
*Although the Jaguars have committed seven turnovers in the preseason just one has been by a starter. That was an interception thrown by quarterback Blaine Gabbert in the preseason opener.
