Wide receiver Matt Jones reported to training camp on Friday and his first act was an attempt to clear the air in a brief press conference.
"I've talked to Wayne (Weaver). I put myself in a situation that isn't good and I'm embarrassed for Wayne and Mrs. Weaver and Jack Del Rio and even the fans of Jacksonville," Jones said, referring to his drug arrest two weeks ago in Fayetteville, Ark.
The 2005 first-round draft choice from Arkansas said his intent is to "practice hard and earn a spot on the team. I'm ready to put it behind and move on," he said of the drug charge, but his next act will likely include a court hearing on the matter.
Asked if he has a drug problem, Jones said, "No, I don't. Like I said, I can't really talk about stuff like that.
"I love football. My dad is a football coach and I've been on the sidelines since I was two years old. I'm looking forward to camp," Jones added.
Jones is expected to be on the field Saturday morning when the Jaguars conduct their first practice of training camp. As of late Friday afternoon, first-round draft choice Derrick Harvey was the only player on the Jaguars roster not under contract and in camp.
With wide receiver Jerry Porter to miss all of training camp and the preseason due to recent hamstring surgery, the spotlight may fall on first-year wide receiver Mike Walker, a third-round pick in 2007 who spent his rookie year on injured reserve following knee surgery. Walker is still in rehab mode and won't participate in two-a-days, but he reports that his knee is healthy for the start of camp.
"That's up to the coaches. I know I can," Walker said when asked if he'll practice twice in a day. Coach Jack Del Rio has already said Walker will only practice once a day.
"It feels great. Ever since October, I haven't had any setbacks, no nothing. I had a whole year off. If I can't get better in a year … I just appreciate the Jaguars being patient with me and letting me get healthy," Walker added.
Del Rio said Friday evening that wide receiver Reggie Williams suffered a knee sprain recently, and that he may miss a couple of days of practice. Williams, therefor, could begin camp on the physically unable to perform list.
Practices on Saturday are scheduled to begin at 10:15 a.m. and seven p.m.
