The Jaguars left the practice field this afternoon concerned for injured teammate Craig Miller, who was taken from the field in an ambulance following a collision with rookie running back Elvis Joseph.
Miller, a safety who played in four games and was a starter in two games last season, appeared to suffer a neck injury during passing drills. He collided with Joseph as the latter was being jostled by Jaguars defensive backs attempting to strip Joseph of the football.
"The concern is for Craig Miller. I don't have anything to report until I hear from the doctors," coach Tom Coughlin told reporters immediately following the conclusion of practice.
"Any time you hear neck, you're pretty concerned. He had some pain down his back; none in his arms. The area of concern was the base of the neck," Coughlin added.
Miller did not move from his left side while he was being examined by the Jaguars medical team. He remained in that position for several minutes before being rolled onto a backboard that was lifted onto a stretcher.
He was conscious as he was being put into the ambulance, answering a question from Jaguars trainer Mike Ryan. Coughlin said Miller had feeling and movement in both hands.
Miller, from Utah State, was taken to Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville.
The injury occurred in the final stages of the Jaguars' only practice of the day. Tomorrow, the team will host the New Orleans Saints in combined practices at 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
"You get to evaluate yourself and work against other people," Coughlin said of the benefits of practicing against another team.
This afternoon, the Jaguars defense clearly got the better of the offense. "That's normal, for now," Coughlin said.
Vic Ketchman is the Senior Editor of Jaguars Inside Report, the official team newspaper of the Jacksonville Jaguars. One-year subscriptions may be purchased by calling 1-888-846-5247.
