* *
JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars went full pads Wednesday – and all that that implies.
The hitting increased, and there was emphasis on the run game along with one-on-one pass-rushing work. And when it was over, Head Coach Gus Bradley said the Jaguars' first day in full pads in 2015 Training Camp was what was expected.
It was productive. It was lively. It was hot – really hot.
And yes, it was intense.
"Today was a trying day," defensive end Jared Odrick said early Wednesday afternoon after the Jaguars worked for about two hours, 20 minutes in 88-degree temperatures at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness practice fields.
"I don't think the pads made the difference today; I think it was the heat. But we're in Jacksonville. We're in Florida. We play in Florida. It's something we've got to get acclimated to. It's not over. It was definitely a work day today, but when you have days like this you have to get better and I think we're doing that."
The full-padded work came on a day on which second-year wide receiver Marqise Lee left with a hamstring midway through practice.
Lee, a second-round selection in the 2014 NFL Draft, missed three games last season with a hamstring injury, and has missed extensive time in each of his two NFL offseasons. He had hamstring issues during his rookie offseason and knee issues this past offseason.
Bradley shortly after practice Wednesday said he doubted Lee will practice Thursday.
"I think we're trying to figure it out," Bradley said. "I think we'll just wait and see to what degree it is and where go from there. I know for him it's disappointing. Fortunately, it's this time of year; fortunately, it's not anything season-ending or anything like that. We'll deal with it.
"You're going to see probably more. You'll see more strains as we go on."
Also on Wednesday, cornerback Dwayne Gratz was held out of practice with a calf injury and cornerback Peyton Thompson missed with a hamstring injury. Defensive end Cap Capi left with dehydration.
Overall, Bradley called the first day in full pads "a good session."
"I think our guys felt the heat a little," he said. "That's what we talked about after practice – there was some straining going on. We'll take care of them. I think for some of them it was hard; we want to get to the point where it's hard and fun."
Bradley said the team had good work in a two-minute drill in which they repeated a situation that occurred last season. Quarterback Blake Bortles, who had one of his better practices in two seasons with the team, led a field-goal drive in that situation.
"I was very pleased with how that went," Bradley said, adding that the defense performed well in individual work Wednesday while the offense fared well in team drills.
"I'm really pleased with how the quarterbacks are playing," he said. "They're coming along. They're not there yet, but the arrow is up."
The Jaguars will hold a walkthrough practice later Wednesday afternoon, and will practice again at the Florida Blue practice fields Thursday at 9:55 a.m. That practice is open to the public.
INJURY WATCH
Defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks (knee) and safety James Sample (arm) remained on the Physically Unable to Perform list. After passing his physical, running back Storm Johnson was removed from the Non-Football Illness list and is expected to practice Thursday. Defensive end Chris Clemons remained on the active non-football injury list. Marks, Clemons and Sample worked on the side rehabilitating Wednesday. Rookie 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
Second-year veteran Allen Hurns had a long, diving reception on a pass from Bortles in two-minute work midway through practice. It was a highlight of an impressive day for Bortles.
HIGHLIGHTS
*Veteran defensive tackle Roy Miller returned to practice after being off Sunday and Monday. He is returning from offseason knee surgery. …
*The Jaguars got into some one-on-one pass-rushing work late in the morning, with tackle Jermey Parnell and guard Brandon Linder looking impressive. …
*Veteran Stefen Wisniewski, who signed as a free agent in the offseason, worked with the first team through most of practice. He and second-year veteran Luke Bowanko – a 14-game starter last season – have been alternating starting days in camp. …
*Arrelious Benn had a nice 12-yard catch early in two-minute drills. Benn was working with the starters at the time with Lee out of practice. …
*Rookie T.J. Yeldon had a hard, spinning run through the middle in early team work. …
*Rookie wide receiver Rashad Greene had a long reception from Bortles for a touchdown in 11-on-11 work late in practice. …
