Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin said veteran free safety Carnell Lake may be in the lineup this Thursday when the Jaguars play the New York Giants.
Lake "may play, if he gets the green light. I'd like him to play," Coughlin said following this morning's first of two practices today.
It would seem Lake has fallen into a competitive situation at free safety, where Coughlin said rookies Marlon McCree and James Boyd turned in impressive efforts in the Jaguars' 18-16 win over the Carolina Panthers this past Friday night. Lake participated in this morning's practice, but on a limited basis, as he continues his recovery from a hamstring pull that has restricted him for almost all of training camp.
Position battles will clearly escalate with each passing preseason game. Maybe the most competitive job is punter, where Aron Langley and David Leaverton are locked in a battle Coughlin described today as "even."
"It's whoever the best man is. The best man stays," Coughlin said.
The right side of the Jaguars offensive line will become a more hotly-contested place, provided guard/tackle Zach Wiegert is able to increase his practice regimen. Wiegert practiced this morning and ran with the first team at right guard, but Wiegert's surgically-repaired left knee has swollen following previous practices, forcing him to sit out the next practice.
Coughlin would like to get Wiegert some playing time at Giants Stadium this Thursday, then begin settling his right guard and right tackle positions. Wiegert would move Aaron Koch out at right guard, provided rookie right tackle Maurice Williams is able to make the gains necessary to be in the starting lineup for the regular-season opener.
Wide receiver Jimmy Smith is also scheduled to practice this afternoon, as he continues his recovery from triple abdominal surgery this past spring.
The Jaguars are to practice Monday afternoon, then twice on Tuesday.
In other news, the Jaguars have re-signed offensive tackle Mark Baniewicz to the team's injured reserve list, after having cut Baniewicz last Thursday. Baniewicz's release was not initially announced. He underwent left triceps surgery last Wednesday.
Also, defensive tackle Antonio Mays has been cut, and defensive lineman Julius Yeast of Eastern Kentucky has been signed.
Vic Ketchman is the Senior Editor of Jaguars Inside Report, the official team newspaper of the Jacksonville Jaguars. One-year subscriptions may be purchased by calling 1-888-846-5247.
