JACKSONVILLE – Dante Fowler Jr. is expected to practice Saturday.
The Jaguars on Saturday removed the fourth-year defensive end from the physically unable to perform list, a move that marked the top storyline early on Day 12 of 2018 Training Camp.
Fowler, the No. 3 overall selection in 2015 NFL Draft, had been on the PUP list with a shoulder issue since camp began July 26.
"I'm just happy to see him back, to start playing," Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone said Saturday before the team's practice at the Dream Finders Homes Practice Complex.
"Obviously he's worked hard to get back – strengthening and everything. We'll work him back in there. I'm excited to see him. He's put in a lot of work and we'll see what he can do."
Fowler, who had eight sacks last regular season and two more in the AFC Championship Game, will miss the regular-season opener against the New York Giants while serving a one-game suspension for violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy. He will be eligible to return for the Jaguars' regular-season home opener Week 2 against New England.
Fowler can participate in all practices and preseason games.
Marrone on Saturday also said rookie defensive linemen Taven Bryan could return to practice this week when the Jaguars work against the Minnesota Vikings.
Bryan, the No. 29 overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft from the University of Florida, missed the preseason opener Thursday against the New Orleans Saints with an abdominal injury.
"It's hard to feel someone else's pain – I always say that," Marrone said. "But it's something that's definitely getting better. We feel he'll be back – hopefully before or when we're practicing against Minnesota. That's what we'd like."
Marrone on Saturday also discussed the play in the preseason opener of strong-side linebacker Leon Jacobs. A rookie seventh-round selection from Wisconsin, Jacobs worked four series with the starters early in the game after working with the first-team defense since the start of training camp.
"Sometimes in the preseason when you're mixing and matching things you may look at a player and say, 'Whoo, I don't know if he really belongs,''' Marrone said. "He looked like he belonged. This first experience for him was good.
"The one thing about rookie players and young players is you see jumps in the preseason. The practices against Minnesota will be another test – if you see jumps there."
Also Saturday:
*Defensive end Calais Campbell (calf) and wide receiver Keelan Cole (foot) are expected to return to practice Saturday after missing Thursday's preseason-opening loss to the Saints. …
*The following players were expected to miss practice Saturday: wide receiver DeAndre Smelter (concussion protocol), linebacker Blair Brown (concussion protocol), linebacker Brooks Ellis (concussion protocol), nose tackle Eli Ankou (knee), left guard Andrew Norwell (calf), offensive tackle Will Richardson Jr. (shoulder), right tackle Jermey Parnell (knee), Bryan and defensive end Dawuane Smoot (ankle). ….
*Marrone said the Jaguars will practice in full pads Saturday and Sunday. Players are off Monday with a non-padded practice scheduled Tuesday. The Jaguars leave Tuesday for Minneapolis, where they will hold joint practices with the Vikings Wednesday and Thursday before a preseason game between the teams in Minneapolis Saturday, August 18, at 1 p.m. …
