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JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser examines the Thursday that was as the Jaguars continued preparing to play the Baltimore Ravens at EverBank Field in Jacksonville Sunday at 1 p.m.
LINDER DAY-TO-DAY
What was certain a week ago is far less so now.
That's the storyline around the Jaguars' offensive line, which could have two players making their first NFL start and another moving positions against the Baltimore Ravens Sunday.
The latest offensive line news is that Brandon Linder, the team's starting center, is now day-to-day after sustaining a knee sprain in practice Wednesday. The Jaguars announced Linder's injury Thursday morning.
"We'll see," Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley Thursday afternoon when discussing Linder's status. "I know his mindset in my conversation with him is he wants to see how the next two days go, so we'll see."
Linder, who started at center Weeks 1 and 2 after moving from guard in the offseason, sustained the injury in a pass-blocking drill.
The Jaguars already were facing the possibility of playing Sunday without left tackle Kelvin Beachum. He has missed practice the last two days after sustaining a concussion in the fourth quarter of a loss at San Diego Sunday. He remains in the NFL's concussion protocol.
If Beachum can't play, Luke Joeckel could move to left tackle. Joeckel started the last two seasons at left tackle before starting at left guard in Weeks 1 and 2 this season. If Joeckel starts at left tackle, the Jaguars could start Chris Reed at left guard with Tyler Shatley starting at center.
"We'll see how this plays out," Bradley said.
Beachum hasn't practiced this week, but Bradley said he is one of the players the team would consider playing in a game without practicing during the week.
"We'd strongly consider it," Bradley said.
Reed signed as a rookie free agent following the 2015 NFL Draft and Shatley signed as a rookie free agent following the 2014 NFL Draft. Both would be making their first NFL starts on Sunday.
Also on Thursday, reserve tight end Ben Koyack missed practice with a meniscus tear sustained in practice Wednesday. Bradley said surgery is a possibility for Koyack.
HOUSE MISSES PRACTICE
Jaguars cornerback Davon House was added to the injury report Thursday after missing practice with a hamstring injury.
House's absence means the Jaguars were without three of their top four cornerbacks Thursday. House and cornerback Prince Amukamara missed Thursday with hamstring injuries. Aaron Colvin is serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substance policy.
If House and Amukamara are out, the Jaguars likely will start Jalen Ramsey and Dwayne Gratz at corner Sunday with Josh Johnson possibly playing nickel.
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IVORY IMPROVING
Running back Chris Ivory, who missed the first two regular-season games with a general medical issue, practiced full Thursday after working limited Wednesday. Bradley said Ivory practiced well Thursday with conditioning the primary issue as a result of missing time the last two weeks. "He's doing well out there, and I know he feels much better out there obviously," Bradley said. Ivory said he feels he's working his way back. "I'm not sure how well-conditioned I am at this point, but I think I'm well-conditioned enough to play on Sunday," Ivory said.
BACK AT IT
Strong safety Johnathan Cyprien returned to practice on a full basis after missing Wednesday's practice with triceps and knee issues and wide receiver Allen Robinson returned on a full basis after missing Wednesday with an illness.
INJURY REPORT
Defensive end Jared Odrick (triceps) missed a second consecutive practice Thursday. Amukamara remained out after missing Sunday's loss to San Diego and Linder, Koyack, Beachum and House also were out. Right tackle Jermey Parnell (groin) practiced full after working limited Wednesday.
Bradley said it appeared it will be difficult for Odrick to play through the injury.
"That one's tough," Bradley said. "He really wants to play, obviously. It could be this week or it could be next week. Everyone's different with an injury like that, so to put a timetable on it … I think it would be tough for him this week but I don't know that I'd rule it out because of who he is."
If Odrick can't play, Bradley said seventh-year veteran Tyson Alualu could start. Alualu never missed a game in six seasons before being inactive the first two games of this season.
NOTABLE I …
As is the case with Linder, Shatley has sat in on quarterback meetings this season to better familiarize himself with line calls and the offense overall. Shatley said he has been doing this since last season. "It helped a lot," Shatley said. "It's helped me grasp what the quarterbacks are looking at and that helps me with my calls, that we're all on the same page." Said Bradley, "If that's the way to go, if it ends up being that way, we have full confidence in him."
NOTABLE II
Koyack's injury could mean the first significant NFL regular-season playing time at tight end for second-year veteran Neal Sterling. He made the team this season after moving from wide receiver in the offseason and played mostly special teams Weeks 1 and 2. "His arrow's up," Bradley said. "He does enough good things in practice and on special teams that I believe given the opportunity he will do some good things."
