JACKSONVILLE – Blaine Gabbert remains on schedule.
Gabbert, the Jaguars' starting quarterback, returned to practice on Monday as the Jaguars began preparing for the regular-season opener, and though he did not take part in team activities, Head Coach Gus Bradley said his return from a thumb injury has gone according to expectations.
"He's progressing as planned," Bradley said Monday.
Gabbert, named the starting quarterback over Chad Henne during preseason, missed the final two preseason games with a sprained thumb.
Gabbert began gripping the ball over the weekend, and threw in individual drills on Monday.
"It's the next step in his recovery to get back," Bradley said. "We're following protocol. It was good. We liked what we saw."
Bradley said Wednesday's practice will be important for Gabbert, and Bradley said the last two weeks the team is prepared to start Henne is Gabbert isn't ready.
"This is what we expected to see," Bradley said. "I think Wednesday will be a big sign to see if he's still in the right direction. Even after today, we'll see how his thumb came out of it."
Gabbert's Monday work came on a day when the Jaguars began preparations for the Chiefs relatively healthy, with tight end Marcedes Lewis (calf), running back Justin Forsett (toe) and safety Chris Prosinski (concussion) practicing after missing the preseason finale.
Forsett missed the entire preseason with a turf toe injury.
Guard Will Rackley (ankle) and defensive end Jeremy Mincey (skin condition) remained the only players other than Gabbert out of practice.
Bradley said he expected Rackley and Mincey to practice Wednesday.
Also Monday:
*All seven players acquired off waivers Sunday – safety Winston Guy, wide receiver Stephen Burton, tight end Clay Harbor, tight end D.J. Williams, offensive guard Jacques McClendon, defensive end Chris McCoy and linebacker J.T. Thomas – practiced Monday. The assigned numbers for those players: Guy (22), Burton (15), Harbor (86), Williams (85), McClendon (66), McCoy (54) and Thomas (57).
