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Inside the Jaguars: Jones-Drew could play Sunday

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FREMONT, Calif. – The news on Monday about Maurice Jones-Drew wasn't dramatic.

For Gus Bradley, that was a positive.

Jones-Drew, the Jaguars' three-time Pro Bowl running back, left a loss to the Oakland Raiders Sunday with what the team announced as an ankle sprain. Bradley, the Jaguars' first-year head coach, on Monday told reporters the injury was a tendon strain.

Jones-Drew underwent an MRI Monday, and Bradley said more will be known Wednesday.

"All accounts are that looks pretty good – I know he felt good this morning," Bradley said Monday during a press conference at the team hotel in Fremont.

"That's good news for us."

Bradley said Jones-Drew could play Sunday against Seattle, and could miss practice this week leading to the game.

"He could – depending on what we find out today," Bradley said.

Bradley, speaking a day after the Jaguars' 19-9 loss to the Raiders – the team's second consecutive loss to start the season – said while quarterback Blaine Gabbert is expected to have some stitches removed from his right throwing hand, the team isn't planning on the third-year veteran starting against Seattle.

"We don't expect we'll have him on Sunday," Bradley said.

Gabbert, who started the regular-season opener before sustaining a laceration on his throwing hand, spoke to reporters with no wrapping protecting the hand.

"It's coming along – we'll hear more in the next couple of days," Gabbert said. "The plan right now is to take it day by day and see how it feels."

Chad Henne started at quarterback for the Jaguars Sunday, completing 25 of 38 passes for 241 yards and a 13-yard touchdown to tight end Clay Harbor.

Bradley said he thought Henne and the team did a good job with ball security. The Jaguars did not commit a turnover Sunday.

"For us, that's a strong positive," he said.

Bradley also updated three other injuries from Sunday:

Guard Uche Nwaneri sustained a knee injury late in the game, but is expected to practice Wednesday. Cornerback Alan Ball will undergo an MRI on a sore hamstring and could be held out of practice at times this week in the hopes of him playing Sunday. Wide receiver Ace Sanders had a sore rib after the game, but Bradley said he should practice Wednesday.

Bradley also said tight end Marcedes Lewis could work out Tuesday and do some sprinting. He will be evaluated after that. Lewis has missed the first two games with a calf injury.

"I think (Tuesday) will be a real telltale sign for him," Bradley said.

Bradley said he doubted wide receiver Mike Brown (back) will play Sunday, and that linebacker J.T. Thomas (hamstring) will be evaluated throughout the week.

Bradley also on Monday reiterated that penalties and mistakes were a major issue in the loss to the Raiders. The Jaguars committed 10 penalties for 70 yards, and three penalties led directly to 13 of the Raiders' 19 points.

"The penalties were a big issue for us," Bradley said, noting that two of the penalties occurred on fourth down to extend drives. "We just need to clean those things up."

Bradley said another factor, too, was that the Jaguars allowed too many "explosive runs," which led to the team allowing 226 yards rushing. The Jaguars allowed six runs of 12 or more yards, with running back Darren McFadden, quarterback Terrelle Pryor and former Jaguars running back Rashad Jennings all having a run of 27 yards or more.

"That's far too many for us, being in an eight-man front," Bradley said.

Bradley said while he emphasizes competition and improving every day – and while he has made those a mantra around the Jaguars – the team at the same time needs to play better in the short term.

"I believe culture and belief are very important to having victory," Bradley said. "But there's a third facet to that, and that's execution. That's one area right now we need to continue to improve.

"We have a high standard. It's not OK where we're at right now. We have to get better. We have a high standard and that standard isn't going to drop. The big thing for us now is accountability. What are we willing to accept and what is our team willing to accept?"

Also on Monday, the Jaguars made the following roster moves:

*Claimed Jamell Fleming off waivers from the Arizona Cardinals. Fleming (5-feet-11, 206 pounds), a third-round selection by Arizona in the 2012 NFL Draft, appeared in 15 games with three starts as a rookie. He had 24 tackles, one pass defensed and three special teams tackles, and was waived by Arizona September 14.

*Re-signed guard Jacques McClendon to the active roster. The Jaguars waived McClendon on Saturday.

*Signed defensive end Chris McCoy to the practice squad. The team waived McCoy from the active roster Saturday.

*Waived wide receiver Jeremy Ebert and cornerback Marcus Burley, having signed those two players from the practice squad Saturday.

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