JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars' starting receivers spent Tuesday on the sidelines.
The news there isn't that Justin Blackmon is on the Physically Unable to Perform List, where he has been throughout 2013 Training Camp, but that Cecil Shorts III missed practice.
Shorts, perhaps the Jaguars' best player early in camp, missed after sustaining a left calf strain Monday. Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley said Shorts' injury wasn't thought serious.
"There's nothing major to report," Bradley said Tuesday after the Jaguars' two-and-a-half-hour, full-padded in 88 degree temperatures at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness practice fields.
"We're going to be smart with him. He continues to get treatment."
Bradley said the Jaguars had yet to decide if Shorts would play in the preseason opener against Miami Friday at EverBank Field.
"We'll see," Bradley said. "I don't know where he's going to be (with the injury)."
Shorts' absence came the same day the Jaguars made a move to bring the roster to 89 players, signing offensive linemen Pat McQuistan, an eight-year veteran who played collegiately at Weber State. The move came a day after the Jaguars released wide receiver Taylor Price and offensive lineman Stephane Milhim.
McQuistan, a seventh-round selection in the 2006 NFL Draft by Dallas, also has played for Miami, New Orleans and Arizona. He started eight games for Miami in 2010 and three for Arizona last season. He has played guard and tackle, but the Jaguars like him initially as a guard.
The Jaguars on Tuesday also announced two numbers changes, with wide receiver Jordan Shipley switching from No. 16 to No. 15 and rookie Denard Robinson switching from No. 29 to No. 16.
Bradley said the Jaguars also remained undecided on the quarterback rotation for the preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins Friday.
Chad Henne, competing with Blaine Gabbert for the starting quarterback position, took all the repetitions with the first team Tuesday. This came a day after Gabbert took all of the reps with the first team Monday.
Bradley said the duo will split reps with the first team Wednesday, and that the coaches haven't decided on a quarterback rotation for Friday.
"We haven't even talked about that," Bradley said.
The team listed Gabbert and Henne as co-No. 1s on their unofficial depth chart released Monday.
The Jaguars on Tuesday also gave defensive tackle Roy Miller, defensive end Jason Babin and center Brad Meester "veteran" days off. All attended practice, but wore shorts and did not participate.
The Jaguars are scheduled to hold a walkthrough at the Florida Blue practice fields Tuesday afternoon. They will practice again at 9:55 a.m. Wednesday.
INJURY WATCH
Safety Johnathan Cyprien (hamstring) remained on the reserve non-football injury list, and Bradley said early this week Cyprien could return next week. Blackmon (groin) remained on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Running back Justin Forsett remained out with a sprained toe, and cornerback Lionel Smith also remained out. Defensive end Jeremy Mincey attended practice, but did not participate because he is in the NFL's concussion program.
PLAY OF THE DAY
Each quarterback had bright moments Tuesday, but the play of the day came in 11-on-11 late in practice.
On the play, Gabbert threw deep to Mohamed Massaquoi, who caught the pass in stride for what would have been an 80-yard touchdown. This wasn't in what appeared to be the most highly competitive portion of team drills, but it was a pretty ball from Gabbert with good touch.
Henne had one of his best drills on the series before, throwing three intermediate passes to rookie wide receiver Ace Sanders.
**
HIGHLIGHTS**
- Wide receiver Jeremy Ebert caught a pass over the middle from Gabbert in 7 on 7.
- Rookie free agent quarterback Matt Scott got work with the third team in team drills, completing one pass. He was sacked twice – by defensive end Ryan Davis and by defensive end J.D. Griggs.
- Rookie cornerback Dwayne Gratz made an interception off a Scott pass. Gratz was lying on his back and caught a tipped pass for an interception.
- Henne completed back-to-back passes to tight end Marcedes Lewis on his first possession of team drills.
- Maurice Jones-Drew got a heavy workload in an early 9-on-9 running drill.
QUOTABLE
- Bradley: "It was Competition Wednesday on Tuesday. That's normally how we handle the week in practice, so we introduced that. You saw it was very competitive. I thought what was really good to see that in 9 on 7, it was the first time I saw the offensive line coming off the ball, moving the ball. It was their best period in training camp. That was great to see."
- Guard Uche Nwaneri: "I feel like it's getting better every day. I'm starting to feel that balance with my pass sets and run blocking. I'm just working on getting better each day. I'm sure by the time we get through with preseason, I'll be more than ready to get everything rolling for the regular season."
LOOKING ON . . .
*The tight end position continues to take shape for the Jaguars. Lewis is locked in at one spot, and the Jaguars expect him to be more of a force pass receiving than in recent seasons. At the other tight end, Allen Reisner and Brett Brackett each has looked good at times. Reisner has shown good hands and right now appears in line to be the top "move" tight end opposite Lewis. Brackett had touchdown passes in Saturday's scrimmage and Monday's practice, and could be a factor for a roster spot with a productive preseason.
*McQuistan could get a chance sooner rather than later. He was working with the second unit early in drills over veteran Jason Spitz, though Spitz was back in with the second team during team drills. "I'm excited," McQuistan said. "I feel like it's a great opportunity. I just came in, had a workout. They told me they needed some heat. I've got to learn the system, get out here in the heat, knock some rust off and get ready to play some football."
