JACKSONVILLE – The uncertainty at receiver continues.
And as the Jaguars began preparing for their Week 2 matchup with Washington, the position got a bit more uncertain with rookie wide receiver Marqise Lee sustaining hamstring "tightness" in practice Wednesday afternoon.
Cornerback Dwayne Gratz, a second-year starter, sustained an ankle injury in practice. Each was listed as limited on the Wednesday injury report.
Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley said he didn't know the extent of either situation.
The Jaguars started preparing for their Week 2 matchup against the Washington Redskins.
Lee's injury came on the same day veteran wide receiver Cecil Shorts III began testing the hamstring injury that kept him out of the regular-season opener.
Shorts, the team's most-experienced receiver, missed the first two weeks of the preseason with the issue. He did not run over the weekend and Bradley said he took a couple of repetitions in each period, which is normal protocol for a player returning.
"We'll see how he feels after today," Bradley said. "To get him out there is a good step."
Shorts' situation last week began with tightness in the hamstring, and rookie wide receiver Allen Robinson experienced tightness early in training camp before missing the entire preseason.
"Last week we said, 'Well, he's got some tightness,'" Bradley said, laughing. "I don't even know anymore what that means."
He added on a serious note of Lee, "I know he was running on the sideline and trying to get warmed up. He just had some tightness."
Bradley also said the team likely will learn Friday if safety Johnathan Cyprien will be available to play against the Redskins.
Cyprien is in the concussion program after sustaining the injury against Philadelphia Sunday. He attended practice Wednesday, though he did not participate.
"We should have an answer by Friday," Bradley said.
Bradley said he told Cyprien to be honest with the team and himself as he returns.
"I told him, 'Just tell me exactly how you're feeling and don't worry about us – we'll be fine; just make sure you take care of yourself,'" Bradley said.
The Jaguars struggled Sunday after Cyprien left the game, allowing 27 points to the Eagles offense in the second half. The Eagles had a 49-yard touchdown run through the middle of the defense early in the second half and a 68-yard pass from Nick Foles to Jeremy Maclin later in the game.
Second-year player Josh Evans likely will start alongside Winston Guy, Jr., if Cyprien is unavailable.
"Cyp is a great guy, and he's one of the leaders of this defense," safety Josh Evans said. "He's very encouraging, so filling in that gap and keeping guys motivated is key. Trying to treat it as if he was there, and trying to feed off his spirit, I think can be real big for us."
Also on Wednesday:
*Quarterback Chad Henne said when it comes to being challenged to throw downfield he's … well, up to the challenge. "As much as they call it, I'm going to 'huck it and chuck it' down the field," Henne said Wednesday. "I've done it in my career before, it's not like I've never done it. If the plays present themselves and we call those plays, we'll take full advantage of it." Bradley, while discussing Henne's efficiency and knowledge of the offense, said early this week coaches had challenged Henne to push the ball downfield more. Bradley said Henne did so against Philadelphia, with 15 passes of more than 10 or yards and touchdown passes of 21 yards and 43 yards to Allen Hurns. Henne also threw a 46-yard pass to Hurns. "We definitely called the shots," Henne said. "I personally took advantage of some of them. That's the biggest key. If they present themselves out there, and we call them, we're going to take those shots downfield and expect our guys to make (plays) and me make the throws." …
*Jaguars offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch on the Redskins' defense: "They're really good, they're really aggressive, they're fast. Their linebackers are really good, their pass rushers are excellent and they have crafty veteran cornerbacks that understand quarterbacks' eyes and understand how to play certain plays." Henne said the Jaguars must pay particular attention to linebackers Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo, one of the NFL's better pass-rushing tandems. "We have to be aware of where they are," Henne said. …
*After review, a sack originally credited to Jaguars defensive end Ryan Davis with 1:38 remaining in the second quarter Sunday has been credited to defensive end Andre Branch. Branch also has been credited with a forced fumble on the play. That means Branch now has two forced fumbles on the season, and Branch also has two sacks with Davis having one. …
*Bradley said he was pleased with wide receiver Mike Brown as a punt returner Sunday. Brown, a second-year veteran, retuned three punts for a 9.3-yard average, with Bradley saying Brown played better than coaches expected in his first regular-season appearance in the role. …
*Running back Toby Gerhart (ankle) missed practice, as did Cyprien, tight end Clay Harbor and offensive tackle Austin Pasztor (hand). Harbor rehabilitated on the side, while Pasztor is out at least one more week. Bradley said of Gerhart, "I know in his mind he feels good about the progress he's made."
*Tight end Marcedes Lewis practiced limited after sustaining a knee capsule injury Sunday, with rookie running back Storm Johnson (ankle) also limited. …
*Middle linebacker Paul Posluszny practiced Wednesday after sustaining a knee contusion that kept him out several plays Sunday. He was not listed on the injury report.
