JACKSONVILLE – Blake Bortles continues to progress nicely.
And as of now, Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley said the plan is to start the rookie quarterback in prime time Thursday …
If…
The "if" depends on how Bortles performs and feels during a workout at EverBank Field a couple of hours before the Jaguars play host to the Tennessee Titans Thursday night.
"He's really progressed," Bradley said Wednesday as the Jaguars (2-12) prepared to play the Titans (2-12) at EverBank Thursday at 8:25 p.m. "I thought Tuesday to today (Wednesday was) much better, but we just need to see him move around a bit better."
Bradley, when was asked if the plan for now was to start Bortles, said the Jaguars are leaning towards Bortles playing. Bortles officially was listed as questionable Wednesday on the team's final injury report of the week.
"The plan for us is he looks really good," Bradley said. "He looks much better and progressed much faster than we anticipated. That's what we're down to, to see how he can move around and another day I think will benefit him."
Bortles, the starter since Week 4, sustained a mid-foot sprain in his right foot Sunday against the Ravens. He said Tuesday he expects to play, and he has participated in the Jaguars' light, walkthrough practices at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness Practice Fields the last two days.
He wore a protective boot Sunday after the game and again Monday, but removed it Tuesday.
"We will just take him out there and see him run (Thursday)," Bradley said. "He just looked much better today. … It's just a matter of seeing him run around."
Also around the Jaguars Wednesday:
*Defensive end Andre Branch (groin) and rookie outside linebacker Khairi Fortt (hamstring) were ruled out for Thursday after being listed as not practicing all three days this week. Branch has missed six of the last seven games – including the last two – with the injury, but the team remains hopeful he can play in the regular-season finale at Houston December 28. Fortt has missed the last two games. …
*Defensive tackle Roy Miller (knee sprain) also was listed as not practicing all three days this week. He was listed as questionable for Thursday. …
*If Miller is limited or unable to play, second-year defensive tackle Abry Jones likely will play extensively at the nose tackle spot. "Abry has done pretty good," Bradley said. "I think this is one of the benefits of playing so many guys in there that you can move people around. If it is Abry he will just get more reps. You will probably see a guy like Ziggy (Hood) play some inside too in the nose spot." …
*Defensive end Ryan Davis (hip pointer), safety Josh Evans (foot), wide receiver Tommy Streeter (abdomen) all were listed as questionable after being listed as limited in practice the last two days. Like Bortles, all three of those players likely will have their status determined at a pregame workout Thursday...
*Defensive end Chris Clemons (knee) and wide receiver Marqise Lee (elbow) were listed as probable after being listed as practicing full all three days this week. …
*Bradley also said running back Toby Gerhart could get more carries than last week. Gerhart against the Ravens Sunday started for the first time since Week 5, rushed 13 times for a season-high 54 yards. Bradley said while Gerhart – who started last week for injured Denard Robinson – likely will share carries with rookie Storm Johnson and Jordan Todman, " it would not surprise me if you saw him (Gerhart) get a little bit more work." …
