CHANDLER'S CROSS, England – Cecil Shorts III remains confident.

Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley said he, too, is confident that the veteran wide receiver can play Sunday.

Shorts, a starter in five games this season, left practice with a hamstring issue on Wednesday and did not practice Thursday, but he said early Thursday afternoon he expects to play against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday.

"I'm taking today off to rest the hamstring, and I'll go out there and practice tomorrow," Shorts said Thursday as the Jaguars (1-8) prepared to play the Cowboys (6-3) at Wembley Stadium in London Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

Shorts said he had tightness in the area Wednesday, but that he felt good Thursday morning. Bradley said his conversations with Shorts since Wednesday have been positive.

"Just my conversations with him and the training staff are what I'm going off of," Bradley said. "I think this is what's best today, and then we'll reevaluate it."

Said Shorts, "I know my body and I know how it feels. I feel pretty good right now."

Wide receiver Marqise Lee practiced full Thursday after injuring his ankle Wednesday and being listed as limited. Bradley said Wednesday evening the injury frightened Lee more than anything, indicating he should be OK.

Offensive guard Brandon Linder on Thursday missed a second consecutive practice, as did middle linebacker Jeremiah George.

"We'll know more tomorrow, but I'm hesitant to say they'll have an opportunity to play," Bradley said.

Veteran Jacques McClendon likely will start if Linder can't play, with J.T. Thomas moving from Otto linebacker to the middle if George can't play. In that scenario, Dekoda Watson likely will start at the Otto position. Watson worked full for a second consecutive day Thursday.

Also on Wednesday, safety Josh Evans said he will play Sunday after leaving a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday with a sprained shoulder. Evans worked full Thursday after working limited Wednesday.

"I'm still taking it day-by-day, but I felt good these last couple of practices and I should be a go," Evans said.

Also around the Jaguars on Thursday:

*Offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch said he likes the progress of running back Denard Robinson – enough that he no longer considers him a player in transition. "He certainly has evolved each week to being a more complete player," Fisch said. "He probably has surprised me a little bit just because of a lack of experience at the position." Fisch said Robinson has been impressive in his development as a pass protector and receiver as well as running. "He's a running back," he said. "It feels far removed from him playing quarterback at Michigan even though it was only two years ago. Last year, it didn't seem far removed; it seemed like a constant conversation of, 'How do we get him more comfortable? What's the best position for him?'" Robinson has started the last three games at running back, rushing for 423 yards and two touchdowns on 85 carries this season. He rushed for 66 yards on 20 carries last season after playing quarterback at the University of Michigan….

*Running back Toby Gerhart said he gained confidence from a three-carry, 19-yard performance against Cincinnati Sunday, a game in which he also caught three passes for 49 yards. Gerhart sustained an ankle/foot injury in the regular-season opener, playing through the injury before missing Weeks 6-7. Gerhart said it felt like he "could be myself again." Added Gerhart, "It was nice to get out there and really not think about it. There was no pain in my foot, cutting … then to come out of it feeling good after a game as well …  it's nice to get out there and just run." Said Bradley, "He just wants to be a contributor. I think that part he feels really good about." …

*Defensive end Chris Clemons and linebacker Geno Hayes missed practice with regularly scheduled veteran days off, and defensive end Andre Branch – who did not make the trip – also was listed as not practicing. Safety Sherrod Martin (shoulder) worked limited for a second consecutive day.

*Cornerback Aaron Colvin (knee) worked full for a second consecutive day. Jaguars General Manager David Caldwell on Thursday said he anticipated having Colvin active "in a week or two." He has been on the Physically Unable to Perform list since training camp after sustaining a torn anterior cruciate ligament in January.

*Quarterback Blake Bortles practiced full for a second consecutive day with a sprained left wrist sustained Sunday against Cincinnati.

This article is presented by VisitFlorida.com.