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JACKSONVILLE – As the Jaguars moved forward, Gus Bradley took a moment to look back.
Two days after the lone scrimmage of 2015 Training Camp, the Jaguars on Monday returned to practice four days in advance of their preseason opener.
They did so while resting two key injured players – defensive end Jared Odrick and wide receiver Marqise Lee – and working cautiously with running back T.J. Yeldon. Bradley also spoke extensively Monday about the team's scrimmage at EverBank Field Saturday.
"I thought it was a really good scrimmage as far as situations for us," Bradley said Monday afternoon after the Jaguars worked for about two hours, 20 minutes in 90-degree temperatures at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness practice fields.
"We started off a little slow offensively, but I liked the mindset. The defense came out playing with a lot of energy. That was exactly what we hoped to see from them."
Bradley added that he liked how the offense played after the first two series, with quarterback Blake Bortles throwing three touchdown passes. That included touchdown passes to wide receiver Allen Robinson and tight end Julius Thomas.
"They kept their poise," Bradley said. "They were resilient. We got a touchdown and came back and got another touchdown – really good signs."
Yeldon, who sustained a sprained finger in the scrimmage Saturday, worked Monday with a red jersey that signified he was injured. Bradley said it's possible Yeldon will play Friday against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the preseason opener at Everbank Field.
"I thought it was bad, but it was just a sprain," Yeldon said. "It's not too big of a deal."
Odrick, who missed two days of practice last week while resting a sore knee, again was out resting the knee. He participated in Saturday's scrimmage and was effective throughout.
Lee, who sustained a hamstring injury in practice last week, continued to sit out practice. Bradley has said it's unlikely Lee will play against the Steelers.
Cornerback Dwayne Gratz (calf) also remained out of practice, as did cornerback Peyton Thompson (hamstring). Linebacker Matt Robinson (knee) also missed practice.
The Jaguars will hold a walkthrough practice later Monday afternoon. They will practice again on Tuesday at 9:55 a.m. The Tuesday morning practice is free and open to the public.
Also Monday, Bradley said defensive end Chris Clemons is progressing, though he is still unlikely to play in the preseason opener. The veteran is currently on the active non-football injury list.
"It's looking very promising," Bradley said.
INJURY WATCH
Defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks (knee) and safety James Sample (arm) remained on the Physically Unable to Perform list with Clemons on the active non-football injury list. Rookie defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. is expected to be placed on injured reserve with a torn anterior cruciate ligament shortly before the regular season.
PLAY OF THE DAY
Jaguars backup quarterback Chad Henne has consistently looked strong through much of training camp, and he had another solid day Monday. The highlight came near the end of practice, when Henne found reserve wide receiver Arrelious Benn down the left sideline. Benn caught the pass in stride for a long touchdown in 11-on-11 work.
HIGHLIGHTS
*With Monday being a padded practice, the Jaguars worked extensively in one-on-one pass rushing drills. Rookie defensive tackle Michael Bennett continued to excel there, consistently beating interior lineman to the tackling dummy representing the quarterback.
*Reserve quarterback Stephen Morris had a long touchdown pass to wide receiver Allen Hurns late in practice during team drills. …
*Defensve end Ryan Davis also had a good day, twice beating left tackle Luke Joeckel to the "quarterback" in pass rushing drills. …
*Tight end Marcedes Lewis turned a short pass into a touchdown in a late-practice red-zone drill. …
*Henne had one of the better throws of 7-on-7 work, finding veteran wide receiver Bryan Walters on a quick 15-yard route. …
*Yeldon, working in the red jersey, continued to be impressive with an intermediate run around the end and a hard run through the middle. …
*Running back Toby Gerhart had several impressive runs in 11-on-11 work. …
