The possibility exists that Jimmy Smith will make his preseason debut this Thursday when the Jaguars host the Kansas City Chiefs.
"We'll see how he practices. He needs to work in the heat to build his endurance up," coach Tom Coughlin said following this afternoon's practice, when Coughlin was asked if Smith will play against the Chiefs.
Smith practiced in a blazing sun this afternoon. He had said earlier in the day that he "could've played" against the Giants this past Thursday. "If (Tom Coughlin) would've let me, I would've been out there," Smith added.
His return to action is now of the utmost performance, with wide receiver Keenan McCardell having undergone hernia surgery two days ago. Coughlin said normal recovery time for that type of surgery is about "3-4 weeks."
Smith has spent training camp recovering from last spring's triple abdominal surgery. He has made rapid gains and expresses no doubt about being ready for the season-opener on Sept. 9.
"I think I'm just now getting over that hurdle," he said of the effects of his surgeries. "You want to push yourself, but it takes time."
Coughlin said he had talked to McCardell earlier in the day. "Much better today than yesterday," Coughlin said of McCardell's report.
Sean Dawkins practiced at McCardell's position this afternoon. Dawkins, who was signed last spring as insurance for Smith, is currently the Jaguars' only proven pass-catcher who is healthy and not recovering from surgery.
Coughlin put his team through a two-hour workout that stressed fundamentals. "Being a football team; execution, pride, determination, people making plays. They feel humiliated and, to a man, whatever they had coming, they deserved it," the coach said, referring to the Jaguars' 27-5 preseason loss to the Giants.
"Our execution is so bad; three plays in a row without a mistake. Nothing is going to happen in a game without doing something fundamentally," he said.
The regulars are expected to play for longer in the game against the Chiefs. "Not enough reps are going to the guys who are going to be playing, so we have to make a move in that direction," Coughlin said.
As far as highlights of today's practice, Dawkins made a leaping, diving catch, and rookie safety James Boyd made another interception.
In other news, the Jaguars waived punter Aron Langley and signed punter Chris Hanson, who was waived by the Miami Dolphins last Tuesday. Hanson, 6-1, 215, spent the 2000 season on Miami's injured reserve list. He will compete against fifth-round pick David Leaverton.
"(Hanson) looked good today. He has good hang time," Coughlin said.
Three players who were waived/injured on Friday -- safety Erik Olson, cornerback Kory Blackwell and wide receiver Emanuel Smith -- were placed on the Jaguars' injured reserve list today. The Jaguars also waived/injured rookie wide receiver Antonio Stanley on Friday.
In two other Friday moves, the Jaguars signed wide receiver Micah Ross, a former Jacksonville University two-sport athlete who also played for the Jacksonville Tomcats, and the team claimed off waivers guard Justin Amman, a rookie from Florida State who had been cut by the San Diego Chargers.
Linebacker Danny Clark did not practice, the result of a groin strain, but rookie wide receiver Randal Williams, who sprained an ankle in the loss to the Giants, may be back at practice tomorrow.
The Jaguars will practice at 8:40 a.m. and at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow, then at 3:30 p.m. Monday, in what will be the final practice of this training camp.
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.
