JACKSONVILLE – Doug Marrone had to like this.
The Jaguars' head coach likes his training camp practices padded, and he likes the conditions tough. He got both Monday.
The Jaguars on Monday went through their second padded practice of 2018 Training Camp, working for about two-and-a-half hours in 86-degree temperatures at the Dream Finders Homes Practice Complex. It was the first daytime padded practice of '18 camp after a padded practice Saturday night.
The Jaguars held two unpadded practices last Thursday and Friday to start camp.
Marrone said shortly before Monday's practice that this week's five practices likely will be the toughest stretch of camp, a time the defending AFC South Champions want to build the identity of what is expected to be a tough, hard-nosed, physical team.
The Jaguars on Monday again focused on contact-oriented drills that aren't run in non-padded work, running one-on-one pass-rush and 9-on-7 drills. Monday's 9-on-7 work – a mostly run-only drill – marked the Jaguars' first "live" session of camp, meaning it was the first time players blocked and tackled without limitation.
Here's a look at Day 4 practice:
STANDING OUT
*Reserve running back T.J. Yeldon continued to look good in early in camp, catching a 10-yard pass from Bortles and breaking free for a 25-yard gain around the right side in 11-on-11 drills. He also had a slashing run through the middle late in practice. …
*Undrafted rookie wide receiver Allen Lazard had a long gain on a crossing pattern late in practice. …
*Veteran nose tackle Marcell Dareus continued to look strong early in camp, giving multiple offensive linemen trouble in one-on-one pass-rush drills. …
*Defensive end Yannick Ngakoue continued to look good in early one-on-one pass rush work. …
*Running back Leonard Fournette also continued to look good early in camp, catching several passes in the flat from quarterback Blake Bortles and looking quick on runs of tackle and through the middle. …
*Running back Corey Grant looked quick and effective in 9-on-7 work, flashing on runs through the middle. …
PLAY OF THE DAY
This came from Bortles and rookie wide receiver D.J. Chark Jr. with a nod to reserve quarterback Cody Kessler and reserve wide receiver Rashad Greene Sr. Bortles late in practice found Chark deep down the right sideline, throwing a perfect pass that Chark caught just behind nickel corner D.J. Hayden. Earlier in the day, Greene – a fourth-year veteran – pulled down a pass just inside the left side of the end zone over rookie cornerback Tre Herndon for a touchdown. Chark earlier in practice caught a 15-yard pass from Kessler.
INJURY WATCH
Wide receivers Marqise Lee (unidentified) and Donte Moncrief (ankle) worked on the side Monday after sustaining injuries in practice last week. Marrone said before practice the injuries were not thought serious.
Two players remained on the Physically Unable to Perform list: defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. (shoulder) and offensive guard Brandon Thomas (knee). Tight end David Grinnage (knee) returned to practice Saturday after spending the first day days on PUP.
Also on Monday, offensive tackle Brandon Smith returned to practice after being removed Monday morning from the reserve/non-football injury list.
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey remained away from the team following the birth of his daughter last week. Marrone on Monday said the first-team Associated Press All-Pro selection will return to the team "when he's ready to come back."
NOTABLE
*Rookie Leon Jacobs continued to work with the first team at strongside linebacker for a fourth consecutive day to start camp. Jacobs, a seventh-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft from the University of Wisconsin, is expected to compete with second-year veteran Blair Brown for the starting position vacated when Myles Jack moved to the middle on a permanent basis following the retirement of longtime middle linebacker Paul Posluszny. …
*The first-team offensive line continued on Monday to be left tackle Cam Robinson, left guard Andrew Norwell, center Brandon Linder, right guard A.J. Cann and right tackle Jermey Parnell. Cann drew praise from Marrone Monday for his performance Saturday's first padded practice of camp and he continued to look strong in pads Monday. …
