JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser examines the Wednesday that was as the Jaguars began preparing to play the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California, Sunday at 4:25 p.m.
IVORY REMAINS OUT
Chris Ivory did not practice for the Jaguars on Wednesday.
As for the veteran running back's status for Sunday's game at San Diego, Head Coach Gus Bradley said that remains to be seen.
Ivory, a Pro Bowl running back and 1,000-yard rusher for the New York Jets before signing in March with the Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent, missed the regular-season opener Sunday with what the team termed a "general medical issue." He was hospitalized Sunday morning and released from the hospital Tuesday.
"I'll wait to hear from the trainers where he's at," Bradley said following the Jaguars' two-hour, 15-minute practice Wednesday at the practice fields adjacent to EverBank Field.
Bradley said he communicated with Ivory via text Tuesday, adding that he was sure Ivory's status for Sunday is "questionable."
T.J. Yeldon, expected to mostly share carries with Ivory this season, started against Green Bay Sunday and rushed for 39 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. Denard Robinson rushed for three yards on seven carries and Corey Grant played only special teams.
"We've got some options to look at, guys in different roles," Bradley said.
Bradley said he was pleased with Wednesday's practice, the team's first since a 27-23 loss to Green Bay Sunday.
"I think it's healthy to get out and get going again, to get out there and practice and get our minds of off it," Bradley said.
BACK AT IT
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Julius Thomas practiced full Wednesday. Both sustained sprained ankles Sunday.
INJURY REPORT
Cornerback Prince Amukamara was the only Jaguars player other than Ivory to not participate in practice Wednesday. He sustained a hamstring injury Sunday. Right tackle Jermey Parnell (groin) practiced limited Wednesday.
RETURN TO THE SCENE
Sunday's game will mark the first in San Diego for Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles since he made his first NFL start there in Week 4 of the 2014 NFL season. The Jaguars lost that game, 33-14, with Bortles completing 29 of 37 passes for 254 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. Bortles on Wednesday said what he mostly remembered about the game was he threw his first pass "about 15 feet" over wide receiver Allen Robinson's head. "I think it's cool to kind of see how much as a team we've grown over three years," Bortles said.
FIGURING IT OUT
Jaguars defensive coordinator Todd Wash revealed little on Wednesday about a possible defensive role for rookie linebacker Myles Jack against San Diego. Jack, the Jaguars' second-round selection in the 2016 NFL Draft, played special teams but not defense Sunday against Green Bay. "We thought about getting him in at one point in time and then some things started to happen," Wash said. "We are still in the process of figuring exactly where he fits in and all that. He knows there is a process to all this. We go along throughout the whole week to see where he is at and see where we can get him in. … It just depends on what we are going to do within our package. We will figure that out as we go through the week here to figure out where our best matchups are and if Myles is the guy that gives us the best opportunity then obviously we have to get Myles on the field."
AGGRESSIVE APPROACH?
The Jaguars surprised many observers by taking a "bracketed approach" to rushing Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers Sunday. That meant having pass rushers containing Rodgers and keeping him in the pocket rather than emphasizing an all-out rush. Wash on Wednesday said a similar approach is unlikely against Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers Sunday. "This week obviously the game plan is a lot different," Wash said, adding, "It is a situation where we hope to pin their ears back and let those guys rush and show exactly how athletic they are."
QUOTABLE I
"I thought they were awesome. I thought they really did a good job. Green Bay brought some different stuff, and showed some different looks. I thought they were on top of it with their calls and communication and guys being in the right spot. There weren't any [problems] schematically. There were maybe a couple of individual battles that got lost. That comes down to me having that mental thought of being able to get rid of the ball."
--Bortles on an offensive line that started its first regular-season game as a unit this past Sunday
QUOTABLE II
"He is a stud. He can play inside. He can play outside. He matches up well versus pretty much all wide outs. He tweaked his ankle a little bit. He fought through it. He is a tough sucker. We are obviously very excited about Jalen."
--Wash on Jalen Ramsey
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