JACKSONVILLE – Jaguars 2022 Training Camp continued Wednesday.
It was the 11th day of the first training camp under Head Coach Doug Pederson, featuring an unpadded practice at Episcopal School of Jacksonville Knight Sports Campus. Each day throughout camp, members of Jaguars Media – senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton, senior reporter/editor J.P. Shadrick and reporter/host Ashlyn Sullivan – will share an observation.
Here are Wednesday's "campservations:"
John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…
While Thursday's Hall of Fame Game was the Jaguars' official preseason opener, Friday's preseason home opener against the Cleveland Browns at TIAA Bank Field feels more important. That's particularly true for the offense, and it will be the first chance to observe the '22 version of one of the team's most scrutinized groups: the offensive line. The Jaguars' projected starting linemen – left tackle Cam Robinson, left guard Tyler Shatley, center Luke Fortner, right guard Brandon Scherff and right tackle Walker Little/Jawaan Taylor – are all projected to play Friday. This is a group that looks markedly improved thus far in camp, with Robinson having perhaps the best camp of his six-year career and with Scherff looking very much like the five-time Pro Bowl selection he was Washington before signing with the Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent in March. Fortner played well in the preseason opener, and the third-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft has given no indication he can't handle the responsibility of starting at center a rookie. The key storyline Friday will be the right-tackle competition, with Taylor expected to play after missing the Hall of Fame game with a hamstring injury. He and Little will rotate, a big moment for both players – but particularly for Taylor as his first opportunity in game-action playing for a new coaching staff.
Brian Sexton, Jaguars Senior Correspondent…
I try not to get too excited about a wide receiver during the first few weeks of camp; after all, no one is gunning for them. But it's hard to watch the chemistry building between quarterback Trevor Lawrence and wide receiver Zay Jones and not think they could have something special. I didn't know much about Jones before he signed with the Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent in March; we've only seen the Raiders once in person in his time in the NFL and he only caught a five-yard pass in that final NFL game in Oakland in 2019. I knew he was fast, but he's bigger than I thought and runs really nice routes. It's easy to see why Lawrence looks for him down the sidelines, but the timing routes in the middle of the field really stood out Wednesday. Lawrence threw to a spot twice and the ball was perfectly placed in Jones' hands because Jones was perfectly placed just beyond the cornerback's reach. Christian Kirk is the Jaguars' big-name, big-money receiver, but Jones may be the big-play receiver this team hasn't had in what seems like forever. It's hard not to notice him.
J.P. Shadrick, Jaguars Senior Reporter/Editor …
The Jaguars took off the pads Wednesday and worked for nearly two hours. It was good to hear Head Coach Doug Pederson's philosophy on the live tackling period from Sunday and another coming next week. He will only schedule a couple days of live tackling this camp: there are games coming up, plus a couple days of practicing against the Atlanta Falcons before the preseason finale. This seems like a Jaguars team that does not shy away from physical practices and getting work done in training camp, as there is a drive to get this organization going in the right direction. It starts by being physically ready for the task at hand.
Ashlyn Sullivan, Jaguars Team Reporter…
The big news around the Jaguars Wednesday was playing status for Friday. Pederson said the starters will play a couple of series, which is big for running back Travis Etienne Jr. – who will make his return to game action after missing his 2021 rookie season. As for Wednesday's practice, Kirk was off to the side and didn't participate in team drills after rolling his ankle on Monday; he had a sleeve on his ankle. Cornerback Tyson Campbell yet again was the star of training camp practice Wednesday. In my eyes he had the play of the day, with Lawrence throwing a beautiful ball around 40 yards on target to Zay Jones and Campbell leaping over Jones to break up the pass. No flag. It was an impressive play from the second-year cornerback. Everyone is taking notice of him.
Buy tickets to Friday's matchup against the Browns, here.
