JACKSONVILLE – Parker Washington isn't worried about much these days.

He's focused on the now and focused on improving, which continues to make him a key storyline of Jaguars 2026 Training Camp. That continued Day 7 with a 90-minute practice at the Miller Electric Center Thursday.

"Just taking it one day at a time, one rep at a time," Washington said Thursday. "That has been my mindset: Just how can I get better today?"

The Jaguars on Thursday focus extensively on team work, with various drills featuring first-, second- and third-team units on both sides of the ball. As he has done seemingly every day of camp, Washington quickly became a highlight Thursday.

Washington made one of the day's biggest plays  when he caught a deep pass from quarterback Trevor Lawrence in stride, resulting in a would-be touchdown and a reminder that Washington and Lawrence have built strong chemistry in three-plus seasons working together.

"On the field, off the field, the communication is different," Washington said. "Obviously the trust he's having in me on some of these passes is really cool. I know a couple years ago he probably wouldn't throw some of the passes he's throwing to me.

"It's just really cool just for him to have that trust in me and I'm going to continue to make sure that he has that and I'm going to make those plays for him."

Washington, a sixth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent following this season. He emerged last season as one of the Jaguars' key offensive players with 58 receptions for 847 yards and five touchdowns.

"That's not my focus," Washington said of his contract status. "It's there and it's a conversation, but my focus is just coming out here and I need to make plays for Trevor. That's my mindset. That's my mindset, and that's how I'm going to attack it.

"I'm not going to step on my agent's toes. They can have those conversations. I'm just going to come out here and do my job."

Also making big plays for the Jaguars Thursday: Linebacker Ventrell Miller and defensive back Antonio Johnson. Johnson had an active day with multiple pass breakups, while Miller forced a fumble on running back Ameer Abdullah after a short pass. Miller recovered his own forced fumble for one of his biggest splash plays of camp so far.

The Jaguars worked extensively on special teams Thursday, with returner roles a big focus. Special teams coordinator Heath Farwell said Washington has made it clear he wants to continue as the punt returner, as he is "feared across the league" in that role, but the competition at kick returner is at a high level entering the second week of camp.

"We have a bunch of guys that can do it," Farwell said. "It just depends on how the roster shapes out."

Farwell cited second-year running backs Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr. as possibilities at kick returner, also mentioning rookie wide receiver Josh Cameron as a possibility.

"I've been super-impressed with him back here at training camp in practice," he said. "We have a bunch of guys that can do it."

Here is a look at Thursday's practice:

PLAY OF THE DAY

The day's biggest play again came from a rookie receiver. The starting defense had a quality day, but could not stop Cameron from making a contested catch down the left sideline against veteran cornerback Montaric Brown on a well-thrown ball from quarterback Nick Mullens. Cameron's size and strength have stood out on downfield passes throughout camp.

STANDING OUT

• Veteran running back Chris Rodriguez Jr., who signed as a restricted free agent in March, continues to generate positive runs during team drills. With the offense backed up to its one-yard line, Rodriguez knifed through the middle of the defense and easily gave the Jaguars some breathing room.
• Undrafted rookie cornerback Preston Hodge recorded his first takeaway of camp, intercepting rookie quarterback Joey Aguilar.
• Rookie safety Jalen Huskey had an impressive pass breakup off Mullens, nearly intercepting where he nearly intercepted the pass.

INJURY WATCH

Linebacker Jared Bartlett, who sustained a leg injury in Tuesday's practice after signing with the team, remained out Thursday. Second-year linebacker Jack Kiser also remained out of practice after sustaining a knee injury in Day 1 practice. Left tackle Cole Van Lanen (knee) and offensive lineman Garrett DiGiorgio (foot) remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list to start camp, with guard Patrick Mekari and cornerback Christian Braswell remaining out of team drills. Defensive tackle Arik Armstead and Rodriguez practiced after missing Tuesday with veteran and management days, respectively.