JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars hit Monday, and the hitting was real.
It was also high-intensity and hot, complete with a disagreement or two – which meant the first "live" day of 2023 Training Camp went pretty much as expected.
"You have to pick up that intensity," Jaguars veteran linebacker Josh Allen said. "I'm glad we took those strides today. I think it was good."
The Jaguars on Monday practiced for about two-and-a-half hours on Day 11 of '23 camp at the Miller Electric Center, one of the longest practices of this year' training camp. The full-pads practice marked the first day of '23 camp with tackling to the ground, taking place in temperatures in the mid-to-upper 80s – this year's warmest camp day to date.
"The heat is what it is," Jaguars linebacker Foye Oluokun said. "I like the intensity that we brought all practice. I think we had to wake up, get used to it, then we bounced back well come the second half of the practice.
"We cleaned up whatever we messed up early, but I think we responded to whatever happened and then finished off the practice pretty well."
Monday's practice was the third of three consecutive practices that Head Coach Doug Pederson said last week would mark the dog days of training camp. The Sunday and Monday practices marked the two longest practices – and two of the hottest yet.
The Jaguars worked a 20-minute "live" 11-on-11 period with various situations early in practice and closed with a 25-minute "live" 11-on-11 period. The day also featured a 25-minute one-on-one pass rush period, also featuring multiple skirmishes between offensive and defensive players after plays.
"It's camp; we're grown men and it's hot out here," Allen said. "We're grown men, it's hot and we're competing every play. It comes with the job, and it comes with the territory. You have to be ready to dish it out. You're going to deal it. It's part of it.
"We still want to take care of each other and we still respect each other at the end of the day when we get in the locker room. We handle our business out here and move on to the next day. It's all good. Go dominate the next one."
Among the day's highlights: Three consecutive touchdowns in goal-line drills by the first-team offense followed by three-consecutive touchdowns in the same drill by the second-team offense. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence scored on a rollout and running back Travis Etienne Jr. scored two short touchdowns.
One of Etienne's touchdowns came on a direct snap and reserve running back Tank Bigsby also scored on a touchdown run in the drill with the second team.
"I think we did it well as a team and protecting each other, but also getting our work in," Allen said. "I think we did good offense defensively. We have to watch the tape, but just as a feel, I think both teams did a really good job taking care of each other and also competing at the top level."
PLAY OF THE DAY
- This came from Bigsby, a rookie third-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft from Auburn who continues a strong start to '23 camp. Bigsby, who has shown good power and quickness throughout camp, ran around the left side of the line, showed good speed in the intermediate part of the run, then cut back against his momentum and outran the defense for an 80-yard touchdown. Bigsby continues to show signs that he could be a significant contributor this season and add versatility and depth to a running back room that features Etienne – who rushed for 1,125 yards and five touchdowns last season. Bigsby also had a tough run for 11 yards up the middle in a live repetition from deep in the offense's territory.
STANDING OUT
- Monday's practice got intense quickly, with Oluokun tackling rookie tight end Brenton Strange hard to the ground on the second "live" play, and safety Rayshawn Jenkins involved in a multi-player skirmish after the play…
- Rookie wide receiver Elijah Cooks made a nice one-handed reception on the sideline early in 11-on-11 work on a pass from backup quarterback C.J. Beathard…
- Rookie defensive tackle Raymond Vohasek registered two huge hits in the backfield, tackling second-year running back Snoop Conner for a safety…
- First-year tight end Gerrit Prince caught a short touchdown pass from Beathard in an early 11-on-11 red-zone drill…
- Reserve linebacker Shaq Quarterman tackled running back JaMycal Hasty for a safety…
- Allen had two strong repetitions in one-on-one pass rush, and outside linebacker Travon Walker also had multiple strong repetitions…
- Left tackle Cam Robinson had strong repetitions versus Walker during one-on-one pass rush…
- Second-year linebacker Devin Lloyd had a would-be sack on Lawrence during 11-on-11 work late in practice…
- Rookie linebacker Ventrell Miller tackled Conner hard in the backfield late in 11-on-11 work…
INJURY REPORT
- Starting cornerback Tyson Campbell missed practice for a second consecutive day with a concussion sustained in practiced Wednesday and remains in the concussion protocol. Defensive lineman Dawuane Smoot (Achilles) and left guard Ben Bartch (knee) remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list to start camp.