FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The Jaguars practiced against the Atlanta Falcons Thursday.
The joint practice at the Falcons' facility was in helmets and shells, and was the second practice between the teams in two days. Members of Jaguars Media – senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton, senior reporter/editor J.P. Shadrick and reporter/host Ashlyn Sullivan – will share an observation from each practice.
Here are Thursday's "campservations:"
John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer
Thursday's work felt similar to Wednesday's – with the teams clearly focused on working productively and just as clearly focused on staying healthy as the regular season approaches. Wide receiver Christian Kirk on Thursday continued as one of the Jaguars' positive storylines of '22 camp, catching a long touchdown on a post pattern from quarterback Trevor Lawrence a day after he caught two red-zone touchdowns from Lawrence. Kirk, one of the team's highest-profile free agent acquisition, continues to look like he will be a needed reliable option for Lawrence in the quarterback's second season. A hat tip, too, to Jaguars linebacker Foye Oluokun. The veteran inside linebacker, who signed as an unrestricted free agent in March, has drawn praise for leadership and knowledge of the defense throughout training camp. On Thursday, he closed camp by returning an interception for an apparent touchdown, doing so against the team for which he played from 2018 until last season.
Brian Sexton, Jaguars Senior Correspondent…
The Jaguars worked in another solid day with the Falcons on Thursday in spider pads and shorts. The weather was perfect and the smiles on the faces of Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson and Falcons Head Coach Arthur Smith told the whole story. Both men are trying to balance getting their teams to the regular season with having to play one more preseason game. With so many players getting hurt around the NFL this week, neither wanted one of their players to be next. The practice tempo reflected their approach.
J.P. Shadrick, Jaguars Senior Reporter/Editor …
The Jaguars and Falcons took off the pads Thursday, but still got plenty of good work in ahead of the Preseason Week 3 game Saturday. Inside linebacker Devin Lloyd returned to the practice field for a second straight day and could see some time in this week's game. Pederson said before practice that the right tackle competition was continuing, and we will see if both Jawaan Taylor and Walker Little get time this week. This is a huge week for players looking to make a final impression before Tuesday's final roster cut. Players like rookie cornerbacks Gregory Junior, Montaric Brown and Benji Franklin are battling for spots, and their special teams play could put them over the top.
Ashlyn Sullivan, Jaguars Team Reporter…
The offense clicked much quicker Thursday than it did Wednesday, with Lawrence connecting with his receivers almost immediately. Lawrence connected on a 40-yard touchdown to Kirk, then gave us a fist bump in celebration. The defense had its own highlight with a pick-six from Oluokun. As a whole, I thought the Jaguars and Falcons looked evenly matched Thursday whereas the Falcons looked more in sync Wednesday. I know fans will panic when they hear the Jags compared to the Falcons. Atlanta won seven games last season, which would be a vast improvement from what we saw last season.
