JACKSONVILLE – They're three days into padded work, with more to come.

That meant an increased focus on the run as Jaguars 2025 Training Camp continued at the Miller Electric Center this week, and that was a topic offensive coordinator Grant Udinski discussed with the media on Day 7.

Progress is being made, and padded practice allows progress to be seen.

"It certainly helps a bunch, being able to see the guys really come off the ball and be able to strike and use their hands with that full speed and strain and finish," Udinski said.

Udinski spoke to the media following a 90-minute practice in helmets and "spider" pads" Thursday – a day that focused on situations such as the offense being backed up against its own goal line. As has been the case in all three of this week's padded practices, a running game that struggled in recent seasons in short-yardage situations was a focus.

The Jaguars have five running backs in camp – veterans Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby and rookies Bhayshul Tuten (a Round 3 selection in the 2025 NFL Draft), LeQuint Allen Jr. (Round 7) and Ja'Quinden Jackson (collegiate free agent). All have had standout runs throughout camp and all could factor into the roster/offense in 2025.

"What stands out about the guys is their effort and embrace, how much they've embraced the opportunity to improve," Udinski said. "All those guys kind of had different areas they've wanted to improve, individually or collectively."

Udinski praised the backs' ability to adapt to Head Coach Liam Coen's offensive scheme.

"It has been awesome to see the young guys step in and have that, and even the older guys kind of fit right in with that and set the tone with that type of growth mindset to approach it where they're trying to buy in to the best of their ability," Udinski said.

The Jaguars are scheduled to hold a scrimmage inside EverBank Stadium Friday night, an event Udinski said will have a "mock-game-ish" feel.

"It will be good to get the experience for the guys, going through the pre-game routine more so than anything," Udinski said. "We're trying to simulate the timing, pace of a game between series, getting corrections. You can't simulate it perfectly, but we try to make it as close as we can for the guys to kind of get that feeling of a game, the timing of a game, the rhythm of the pre-game warm up, that routine.

"That way, the first time they go out there for preseason, it's not something completely new."

👀 Here's a look at Thursday's practice:

PLAY OF THE DAY

• This could have been any of multiple plays involving quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who continues a solid – and relatively mistake-free – '25 camp. Lawrence had several nice throws when the offense was working deep near its goal line, including a well-timed and accurate pass to wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.. on the sideline for a 15-yard gain. Lawrence during that same drill through deep to wide receiver Parker Washington for a long gain near midfield. Lawrence's highlight Thursday may have come later in practice with a perfect pass deep – this time to wide receiver Dyami Brown, who continued to stand out this week with a long touchdown reception behind the defense.

STANDING OUT

• Rookie wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter had a strong practice Thursday, working exclusively on defense for the third time in seven practices. He worked exclusively on offense in the other four practices. Hunter practiced 20 plays Thursday, all in 11-on-11 work, and defensed two passes. He closed practice with an athletic pass breakup on which he showed high-level body control and sense for the ball.
• Brown in addition to the long touchdown from Lawrence caught a 15-yard crossing route from Lawrence early in practice.
• Defensive end Travon Walker had a batted pass early in practice and cornerback Jourdan Lewis had a pass defensed in the same drill.
• Allen and Jackson had strong runs in an early team period with the offense working tight from its own goal line.
• Linebacker Chad Muma had a pass breakup late in practice.

INJURY WATCH

• Veteran linebacker Dennis Gardeck practiced Thursday after being activated Thursday morning from the physically unable to perform list. Gardeck sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament with the Arizona Cardinals last season.
• Reserve offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen is expected to miss the rest of training camp with a shoulder issue
• Rookie safety Caleb Ransaw is considered week-to-week with a lower-body issue.
• Also remaining out of practice Thursday:
  • Tight end Hunter Long (ankle)
  • Cornerback Montaric Brown (lower leg)
  • Guard Patrick Mekari (back)
  • Wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit (lower back)
  • Tight end Johnny Mundt (upper body)
• Bhayshul Tuten (hamstring) returned and caught a pass in team drills
• Montaric Brown expected to be out through training camp.
• Defensive tackle Maason Smith remains on the physically unable to perform list to start camp, with his injury undisclosed.