JACKSONVILLE – The wait at running back continues, but it could end soon.

Meanwhile, on a day on which the Jaguars got a break in the weather, they also got a bit of good news at cornerback.

Toby Gerhart, the Jaguars' starting running back, remained out of practice with a hip flexor Monday, three days before the team's second preseason game. Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley said the veteran could return to practice Tuesday.

If that happens, Bradley said Gerhart likely will play in the second 2014 preseason game against Chicago Thursday night.

"If he's ready to go (Tuesday) and shows some good work (Tuesday), then he'll play," Bradley said of Gerhart early Monday afternoon after the Jaguars worked for about two hours, 15 minutes in 86-degree temperatures at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness Practice Fields.

Bradley also reiterated what he said over the weekend – that veteran quarterback Chad Henne remains the starter despite an impressive performance from rookie Blake Bortles in a 16-10 preseason-opening victory over Tampa Bay Friday.

Asked if Henne would start the regular season, Bradley replied:

"Yes."

Also, cornerback Alan Ball (ankle) practiced in full pads Monday after sitting out Friday for precautionary reasons.

Bradley called the first practice the preseason opener "really competitive."

"It was a really good practice today," Bradley said.

The Jaguars also worked some more game-planning for Chicago into practice. The team did two segments of game preparation Monday, whereas minimal work was done in that area last week.

Also Monday, Bradley said linebacker J.T. Thomas could return to practice Tuesday after missing much of Jaguars 2014 Training Camp with a hamstring injury. Tight end Brandon Barden returned after being out due to illness while wide receiver Lamaar Thomas is in the concussion program after sustaining the injury late in Friday's game.

Wide receiver Cecil Shorts III, tight end Clay Harbor (calf) remained out, as did wide receiver Tandon Doss (ankle) and wide receiver Allen Robinson (hamstring).

The Jaguars will hold a walkthrough practice later Monday afternoon, and will hold another practice at 9:55 a.m. Tuesday. Tuesday's practice is free and open to the public, and the Jaguars will work that day in full pads. Tuesday is the last 2014 training camp open to the public.

The Jaguars will visit the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., in their second 2014 preseason game Thursday night.

INJURY WATCH

Linebacker Dekoda Watson (sports hernia) remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list, with cornerback Aaron Colvin (knee) remaining on the non-football injury list. Gerhart, Shorts, Harbor, Robinson, Thomas and Doss remain out of practice.

PLAY OF THE DAY

Second-year cornerback Jeremy Harris stepped in front of a sideline route and intercepted a pass from Bortles late in Monday's practice. Harris, who spent last season on injured reserve, also broke up a pass deep down the sideline later in practice. Several plays after the pass breakup, Bortles completed long pass to veteran Kerry Taylor over Harris down the sideline.

HIGHLIGHTS

*Rookie Brandon Linder got work at the center position Monday, as did Mike Brewster and Jacques McClendon. The Jaguars have been searching for the right combination of Linder, Brewster and McClendon at the position. So far in camp, Linder has worked extensively at right guard, often taking repetitions with the first team. Brewster has worked mostly with the first team, with McClendon taking repetitions at both spots. Bradley said Brewster likely will start at center against Chicago Thursday. …

*Henne looked sharp early in practice, throwing several intermediate gains to veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis. …

*Rookie wide receiver Marqise Lee also caught several practices early in practice, including a 20-yard seam route from Henne in 7-on-7 work. …

*Offensive guard Zane Beadles worked with his right thumb heavily wrapped. He sprained the thumb on Friday against Tampa Bay, but is not expected to miss time with the injury. …

*Taylor had a nice reception on a 20-yard seam route from Bortles in a team drill later in practice. …

*Linebacker Telvin Smith deflected a pass from Bortles in team drills late in practice. …