JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser examines the day around EverBank Field – with an eye on the Jaguars working out offensive tackle Will Beatty this past Friday
Nothing imminent
This was a workout – and for now, that was all.
Head Coach Gus Bradley on Sunday said the Jaguars working out former New York Giants offensive tackle Will Beatty on Friday isn't expected to lead to an immediate signing – and that it doesn't reflect concern over Kelvin Beachum's timetable for return from injury.
Beatty, who started 16 games for the Giants in 2013 and 2014, missed last season with a torn pectoral muscle. Bradley said a signing is not imminent.
"It was more of a workout," Bradley said following the Jaguars' practice Sunday at the practice fields adjacent to EverBank Field.
Beachum, expected to compete with Luke Joeckel for the starting left tackle position, did not play in the preseason opener Thursday against the Jets and has yet to take full contact work while returning from a torn anterior cruciate ligament sustained with Pittsburgh last season.
Joeckel played exclusively at left tackle Thursday, and Bradley – as he has said throughout training camp – on Sunday said Beachum's return continues to progress as expected.
"Beachum had another good day today," Bradley said. "He went through two days of individual [the past two days]. I can tell with his spirit and where he's at he feels the progress being made. Now, hopefully it's rapid."
Bradley said the Beatty workout was more a reflection of the overall line situation, with reserve tackle Josh Wells (thumb) and reserve lineman Kadeem Edwards (ankle) both not practicing. That's in addition to Beachum being limited. Center Brandon Linder missed Thursday's preseason opener with a groin injury, but returned to practice Saturday.
"I'm sure there's a lot of speculation with what's going on, but we have two offensive linemen out," Bradley said. "We're always going to compete, always going to bring guys in and just keep our options open if something comes up later on in training camp or after preseason."
Meanwhile, although the Jaguars remain in what Bradley called "training-camp mode," veterans this weekend moved out of the hotel that houses them during the initial stages of camp.
Bradley said the first two-and-a-half weeks of camp were productive with emphasis on situations such as third down, two minutes and red zone.
"We had more emphasis on those areas, and I thought it was good work for us," Bradley said.
BACK AT IT
Tight end Julius Thomas returned to practice Sunday after missing practice Saturday with a minor knee issue. Running back Denard Robinson also returned to practice Sunday after missing Saturday for personal reasons.
INJURY REPORT
Ramsey and rookie linebacker Myles Jack both had planned days off from practice Sunday. Eleven other players also missed practice Sunday:
Cornerback Aaron Colvin (ankle), safety James Sample (shoulder), cornerback Davon House (hamstring), running back Jonas Gray (quad), cornerback Nick Marshall (ankle), guard Chris Reed (ankle), offensive tackle Josh Wells (thumb), offensive lineman Kadeem Edwards (ankle), wide receiver Shaq Evans (lower leg), defensive tackle Sheldon Day (back) and defensive tackle Michael Bennett (hip).
QUOTABLE I
"The consistency is showing up. That was one of the challenges we talked to him about after the season. You're seeing a lot better consistent play from him – not only in the pass game, but in the run game, too. Now he just has to carry it over to the games."
---Bradley on third-year linebacker Telvin Smith
NOTABLE …
Bradley on Sunday addressed Ramsey's recent workload. The No. 5 overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft, Ramsey missed Thursday's preseason opener against the Jets for precautionary reasons. He had a planned day off Sunday. Ramsey missed the offseason program and mid-June minicamp with a small meniscus tear before working full throughout the first week and a half of training camp. "In talking to him today he said he feels better than he ever has," Bradley said. "We're just trying to get his pre-practice warmup down: how does he feel after certain days off, after a couple of days of practice how does he feel? I think we're getting a pretty good idea. Once we get into the season, the way the schedule is laid out, I really see it to where he goes two days and then Friday is a lighter day. He's really adjusted well and I think he feels really good right now."
NOTABLE II
Bradley after practice extended Sunday congratulations to U.S. Olympic swimmer Ryan Murphy, a graduate of Jacksonville's Bolles School who won gold medals this past week in Rio in the 100- and 200-meter backstroke and the 4x100-meter medley relay. "It's an awesome accomplishment – a local guy and I know a big Jags fan, so congrats to him," Bradley said.
QUOTABLE II
"I was really impressed with his poise and he gave us a chance at the very end. He has been impressive in training camp – really smart and works well with [quarterbacks] Blake [Bortles] and Chad [Henne]. He's picking it up really quick."
---Bradley on reserve quarterback Brandon Allen's performance in the preseason opener