JACKSONVILLE – Priority No. 1 is simple.

"We just don't want any injuries," Head Coach Doug Pederson said.

With that, the Jaguars' third-year head coach set the tone for Phase 3 of the Jaguars' 2024 offseason program. The first part of Phase 3, Organized Team Activities, began at the Miller Electric Center Monday.

Phase 3 will end with a three-day, mid-June minicamp that marks the only mandatory offseason work. While Phase 3 is the closest thing to "real practice" of the offseason, Pederson said the focus remains preparation, education and being healthy when 2024 Training Camp opens in July.

"It's good to be able to do a little competition and compete against each other, but we have to make sure we protect each other," Pederson said. "We're still teaching, learning and developing."

Pederson and defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen both spoke to the media before Day 1 OTA practice Monday, emphasizing that the next three weeks aren't about evaluating the roster or determining starting positions.

"There are no pads so it's hard to evaluate in terms of making plays," Nielsen said. "We want to be in good football position. We want to make it look like football, be in the right spots and evaluate from there. We want to have a really good opportunity to grow every day in all those areas."

Said Pederson, "I don't really go into it with a lot of depth charts in mind. Depth charts don't matter this time of year as much as continuing to improve."

NOTABLE

• The Jaguars will hold joint practices against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Jacksonville during 2024 Training Camp, Pederson said Monday. The teams will practice against one another the week before they play in Preseason Week 2 at EverBank Stadium. The Jaguars practiced against the Atlanta Falcons in 2022 and the Detroit Lions in 2023, working at the opposing team's facility each year.

NOTABLE

• Pederson Monday also publicly discussed the 2024 schedule for the first time since its release last Wednesday. The Jaguars have a Week 12 bye week, opening the season with four consecutive games against teams that made the postseason in 2023. The Jaguars for a second consecutive season play back-to-back games in London – a Week 6 road game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and a Week 7 home game against the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium. Pederson said while the bye week was "maybe a week or two" later than is ideal, he liked the schedule overall. He also noted that except for a Week 3 Monday night game, the Jaguars play all Sunday games. "You get into a rhythm and a flow that way," he said. "Somewhere in there you do like the Thursday … even though we don't have one, you like that Thursday as kind of a mini-bye. It's a great schedule for us and we'll see what happens."

NOTABLE

• Wide receiver Gabe Davis missed Day 1 of OTAs Monday because of the birth of his child, Pederson said, adding that veteran will remain limited as he returns from a knee injury sustained in the 2023 regular-season finale while playing with the Buffalo Bills. Also limited Monday while returning from injuries: Defensive lineman Arik Armstead, linebacker Foye Oluokun, right tackle Anton Harrison, safety Andre Cisco, reserve quarterback C.J. Beathard and rookie running back Lorenzo Lingard.

NOTABLE

• Jaguars outside linebacker Josh Allenis working out in Arizona – as he has done during parts of the last two offseason – after working out at the Miller Electric Center during the early part of the offseason program. "He was here for the first couple of weeks, which was great to have him around," Pederson said. "I don't worry about Josh. Josh knows Josh. He knows how to get himself prepared and ready and he always comes back in shape and ready to go. He's done it and it's a time for him to really get healthy and fresh and be ready to go."

QUOTABLE

• Pederson on Monday also discussed the contract situation of quarterback Trevor Lawrence. "It's part of the business, but obviously the sooner you get it done, it's behind everybody and now we focus on football and that's not out there," Pederson said. "I know [Jaguars General Manager] Trent [Baalke] and his [Lawrence's] agent have continued to talk and will talk and they're working hard and tirelessly. I just have to coach Trevor and coach football and hopefully it gets done." Lawrence, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, became eligible this offseason to sign a long-term contract extension. Drafted players may sign extensions following their third NFL season.