The Jaguars are close to reaching a contractual agreement with first-round draft choice Byron Leftwich.
"We're making significant progress. We made significant progress this afternoon and hope it gets settled soon," coach Jack Del Rio told reporters following this afternoon's practice.
"I'm real happy we're close on the quarterback. I have not spoken to Byron. I have spoken to Tom (Condon)," Del Rio said, referring to Leftwich's agent. "It looks like we're approaching the end."
Leftwich's holdout is in its 19th day.
Del Rio's remarks were, in essence, the statement on the Leftwich situation he promised reporters he would make this afternoon. Del Rio had also promised to make a statement on defensive tackle Larry Smith's late arrival to practice this morning.
"Larry Smith was late this morning and will be fined accordingly," Del Rio said.
Smith participated in practice this afternoon. He had drawn harsh criticism from Del Rio last week for a conditioning problem that caused him to miss a night practice.
When asked if Smith offered a reason for having been late to practice this morning, Del Rio said: "No reason is a good reason if it's after the fact."
In other news, quarterback Mark Brunell was given the afternoon off and rookie wide receiver Kevin Simmonds was waived.
