JACKSONVILLE – Jaguars 2024 Training Camp continued Wednesday.
It was the 12th day of the third training camp under Head Coach Doug Pederson, featuring a padded, contact practice at the Miller Electric Center. Each day throughout camp, members of Jaguars Media – senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton, senior reporter/editor J.P. Shadrick and team reporter Kai Stevens – will share an observation.
Here are Wednesday's campservations:"
John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…
Wednesday very much had a feel of a team preparing for the first preseason game. This was as opposed to Monday, when the team had one of its more spirited – and hard-hitting – practices of '24 camp. Wednesday also seemed to be a comparatively light day for quarterback Trevor Lawrence, with reserves Mac Jones and C.J. Beathard getting extensive repetitions. As has been the case since the beginning of Week 2 of camp, Lawrence looked efficient and in control of the offense. He completed a long touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. in a late-practice seven-on-seven drill and narrowly miss a second touchdown pass to Thomas later when second-year safety Antonio Johnson broke up a deep pass. Lawrence also on Wednesday had one of his nicest passes of camp when he found veteran wide receiver Gabe Davis for a 25-yard gain down the sidelines. It felt Wednesday as if Lawrence's timing with Davis and Thomas – both new to the offense – is developing. That's a good sign.
Brian Sexton, Jaguars Senior Correspondent …
I'm excited to see how the Jaguars handle the new kickoff rules Saturday night in Preseason Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs. I would love to write about them in this space, but we've seen exactly one period of one training camp practice back in the first week where they actually worked on it in an open session. I asked special teams coordinator Heath Farwell about that, and he gave me a sly smile that said it all. They're working a lot on the play, but not where anyone can see them – and that makes sense. Since no one is quite sure how anyone is going to approach the new play – from a personnel standpoint, or strategy, or even who is kicking the ball – there is no reason to play your hand too soon. Expect to see something on Saturday night – even something you can hang your hat on. Farwell told me they had to find a balance between working on things that they're going to run with players they're going to have on the field with having something to spring on the Dolphins in Miami in September. I feel a little blind going into Saturday night and being ready on the television broadcast, but it seems we'll have something to talk about pretty early.
J.P. Shadrick, Jaguars Senior Reporter/Editor…
Trevor Lawrence made a couple nice throws Wednesday, including a deep connection to Brian Thomas Jr. in seven-on-seven work. The team overall had a little bit slower pace than normal, as they close in on Preseason Week 1. Rookie defensive tackle Maason Smith has a chance to contribute, as his improvement continues to show as camp goes along. Each step of the way and increase in intensity, Smith has been able to answer the bell. The next step: game action, and that comes Saturday night. Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid said that he plans to play their starters about a quarter, so there should be some really good early action between starting units. Get in the stadium early.
Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer ...
Wednesday's practice gave us a sneak peek of what we can expect from Thomas, the No. 23 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. That's because we saw Lawrence throwing Thomas' way Wednesday consistently and with greater success. That success included a nifty touchdown catch by Thomas as he batted the ball above Darby's head before coming down with it. After practice, Thomas spoke about feeling more comfortable with his teammates as he acclimates to becoming a pro. He also expressed his excitement to showcase more of his skillsets after being limited to one role during his time at Louisiana State. Hopefully, Thomas' first pro game is a continuation of his success during practice this week.
