JACKSONVILLE – The grind goes on. And on. And on.
And so far, Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone said he believes the Jaguars are getting quality work done during a difficult stretch of 2017 Training Camp.
The Week in Full Pads? It's going OK, according to Marrone.
"I'm always going to be pushing, pushing, pushing, pushing," Marrone said. "I guess a better way to answer that question: Am I disappointed with it? No.
"In saying that, we still have a lot of work in front of us."
The Jaguars on Wednesday went through a third consecutive padded practice, their fourth in the last five days. They worked for two-and-half hours in 84-degree temperatures on the practice fields adjacent to EverBank Field.
The Jaguars worked in full pads Saturday evening, Monday and Tuesday, and the plan is to work in full pads again Thursday and Friday. Marrone said before the stretch began he expected it to be taxing for players. When talking Wednesday, he emphasized both the physical and mental strain of this week.
No players spoke to the media from the podium after practice Wednesday, but we caught up with third-year defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. We'll have more from him later on jaguars.com.
Also on Wednesday, rookie running back I'Tavius Mathers was released from the hospital and returned to the team facility. He sustained a cervical spinal cord injury during Tuesday's practice. The team said its medical staff "will continue to evaluate his status and will work with I'Tavius to decide the best course of action for his recovery."
Here's a look at Day 6 practice:
STANDING OUT
*Marrone made news during his post-practice press conference when he addressed the backup quarterback situation. While veteran Chad Henne and second-year veteran Brandon Allen were competing for the spot in the first few days of camp, Marrone said Wednesday right now Henne is the No. s quarterback behind starter Blake Bortles.
*Wide receiver Allen Robinson continued a strong training camp, catching an intermediate pass from Bortles and turning it into a long gain in early 11-on-11 work. …
*Wide receiver Allen Hurns had a nice 15-yard gain on a pass over the middle from Bortles. …
*Running back Leonard Fournette also continued a strong early camp with a long run around the right side in early 11-on-11 work. …
*Bortles continued to respond after a five-interception practice Saturday. He did not throw an interception Wednesday, and had several nice intermediate throws – including the one to Robinson and the one to Hurns. …
Go inside the sixth day of Jaguars training camp.
PLAY OF THE DAY
With no red-zone work and a lot of emphasis on the run game, Wednesday didn't lend itself to big-time offensive plays. Perhaps the most memorable play of the day came from reserve quarterback Brandon Allen, who found reserve wide receiver Shane Wynn for a long touchdown down the left sideline in early 11-on-11 work.
INJURY WATCH
Veteran defensive end Calais Campbell missed practice for a third consecutive day with an undisclosed injury, and veteran guard Larry Watford missed practice for a second consecutive day.
Veteran tight end Mychal Rivera, strong-side linebacker Paul Posluszny and linebacker Justin Horton also missed practice Wednesday. Posluszny missed for personal reasons, Marrone said.
Cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Colvin and rookie fullback Marquez Williams remained on the Physically Unable to Perform list. All three have been on PUP and out of practice since the beginning of camp last Thursday.
NOTABLE
*The Jaguars on Wednesday signed third-year running back Tyler Gaffney to fill the spot on the roster left vacant when left tackle Branden Alert was designated exempt/left squad. Gaffney (6-feet-0, 220 pounds), was originally a sixth-round selection by Carolina in the 2014 NFL Draft.
*The Jaguars continued to work various combinations along the offensive line, with Marrone saying he wants to have a good feel for the line before heading to New England for dual practices with the Patriots Monday and Tuesday. Rookie Cam Robinson worked with the starters at left tackle in early 9-on-7 work Wednesday, and Patrick Omameh worked at left guard. Center Brandon Linder and guard A.J. Cann continued to work with the starters and Jermey Parnell worked in and out at right tackle. …
*Second-team line in 11-on-11 work midway through practice: Josh Wells at left tackle, Tyler Shatley at left guard, Luke Bowanko at center, Chris Reed at right guard and Jeremiah Poutasi at right tackle. …
*The Jaguars continued to rotate the first-team corner opposite A.J. Bouye. Josh Johnson worked there extensively Wednesday after Tyler Patmon and Doran Grant worked there earlier. …
*Wide receivers Marqise Lee, Dede Westbrook, Rashad Green Sr. and Wynn all continued to work at punt returner. …
*Veteran Audie Cole got work at strong-side linebacker with Posluszny out. …
