Aaron Kampman participated in a practice for the first time as a member of the Jaguars on Friday. He gave himself an 8½ on a scale of 1-10 when asked how he felt and said he'll be full-go in Friday evening's second practice of training camp.
"What knee? That's my mindset," the veteran defensive end said.
Kampman was signed to a rich free-agent contract in March and is expected to key a resurgent pass-rush on a team that was last in the league in sacks in 2009. He underwent knee reconstruction in early Dec. of '09 and spent the offseason in intense rehabilitation.
"I haven't had any setbacks," he said.
Kampman was another piece of good news in a good-news week for the Jaguars. On Tuesday, they acquired a stadium naming-rights sponsor. Friday morning, the team announced a naming-right sponsor for its practice fields. The hope now is that first-round draft choice Tyson Alualu will agree to a contract before the Jaguars don full pads for the first time, for Sunday night's practice and its feature attraction, the Oklahoma drill.
"The one thing I remain concerned about is not having Tyson here," coach Jack Del Rio said following practice. "Hopefully, it'll get resolved quickly."
Del Rio didn't indicate concern when he announced that tight end Zach Miller and wide receiver Jarett Dillard had been placed on the "physically unable to perform" list. Dillard didn't practice due to some sort of leg injury. Miller missed all of the spring practices due to a lingering foot injury.
"They'll join our team some time in camp, hopefully, soon," Del Rio said.
The Jaguars can move the two players from PUP to the active roster at any time prior to the start of the regular season. Once a player practices, he is no longer eligible for PUP.
Wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker didn't practice but that was the result of a decision by Del Rio to limit Sims-Walker's work. Sims-Walker battled knee problems through the first few years of his career.
"I feel great. He just decided I should practice once a day," Sims-Walker said.
The heat was the star of practice. Del Rio said he eased up on the practice intensity for the first practice but plans to use the sun as an ally in getting his team ready for the season-opener against Denver in Jacksonville on Sept. 12.
"Camp is going to be tough. We eased into it a little bit this morning. Practices are going to pick up in intensity," Del Rio said. "The sun is going to be our friend by (opening day). By then, we'll be conditioned to it."
