JACKSONVILLE – The pads came on – half of them, anyway.
And while the Jaguars' padded practice Sunday morning/afternoon included "just" shoulder pads and helmets – and in the case of many players, shorts – Head Coach Gus Bradley said the desired effect was still reached:
The Jaguars got some solid work in on Day 3 of 2015 Training Camp.
"It was a good day today as far as getting the pads on – the shoulder pads, at least," Bradley said early Sunday afternoon after the Jaguars worked for about two hours, 20 minutes in 81-degree temperatures skies at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness practice fields.
"It was the first day with pads, so everybody wanted to hit a little bit," running back Toby Gerhart said. "Everybody was a little hyped up, a little more excited. There was a big emphasis on the run, and on getting low being in pads again. It was a good, solid practice."
That work featured significant contact, with the Jaguars working the run game in a 9-on-7 drill and also working an extensive one-on-one blocking period between offensive and defensive linemen.
"We saw some things as far as contact on the field," Bradley said. "What I really like is you can tell some of the drill work we've implemented – both in OTAs (organized team activities in May and June) and now – with the emphasis on the run. You've got to find a way to run the ball.
"If we run the ball it will protect the quarterback. It will also minimize turnovers, so just by running the ball we can accomplish a couple of things that are really important to us."
Sunday marked the second consecutive overcast, cloudy day at '15 training camp.
"It's been very good," Bradley said. "We've had some good things go our way. We don't usually make a big deal about the weather, but it has been good for us right now. We've been able to challenge our guys. I really like how they've gone through it.
"Knock on wood, we've done a good job with even minor injuries. Guys are taking care of their bodies."
Three Jaguars players had veterans days off Sunday: tight end Marcedes Lewis, defensive tackle Roy Miller and middle linebacker Paul Posluszny. Cornerback Peyton Thompson left practice with a hamstring injury and offensive lineman Jack Rummells missed practice with an ankle injury.
The Jaguars will hold a walkthrough practice later Sunday afternoon, and will hold another practice at Mandarin High School Monday at 6 p.m.
**
**
INJURY WATCH
Defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks (knee) and safety James Sample (arm) remained on the Physically Unable to Perform list with running back Storm Johnson on the active non-football illness list. Defensive end Cap Capi practiced after beginning camp on the active non-football injury list and defensive end Chris Clemons remained on the active non-football injury list. Marks, Clemons and rookie defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. worked on the side rehabilitating Sunday, with Fowler expected to be placed on injured reserve with a torn anterior cruciate ligament shortly before the regular season.
PLAY OF THE DAY
This came during 7-on-7 work with a few periods remaining in practice. Quarterback Blake Bortles threw a short pass to his left that Gerhart tipped. Outside linebacker Telvin Smith alertly found the ball in the air and made a diving interception.
HIGHLIGHTS
*Running back Denard Robinson and Gerhart each had strong runs up the middle early in 9-on-7 work, a drill in which Otto linebacker Dan Skuta had good penetration on several plays. …
*Rookie running back T.J. Yeldon had a nice spin move in traffic at the line of scrimmage to spring a run in 11-on-11 work midway through practice. …
*Tight end Julius Thomas had a long reception from Bortles late in practice. …
*Wide receiver Greg Jenkins had an impressive, snatching catch on a pass down the right sideline from Stephen Morris in 11-on-11 work. …
*Wide receiver Bryan Walters had a long reception in 11-on-11 work. …
*Bortles had a nice pass to wide receiver Tony Washington late in practice that turned into a long touchdown; Washington had several catches Sunday. …
*Rookie wide receiver Rashad Greene caught a quick pass over the middle from backup quarterback Chad Henne late in practice and turned it into a long catch-and-run. …
*Linebacker Khairi Fortt stood out Sunday, deflecting a pass late in practice Bortles while covering Greene. …
