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The Day After, Part I: Chad Henne remains starting QB

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JACKSONVILLE – Chad Henne remains the starter.

Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley said that was his position on Monday – and that as of Monday, he expects the seven-year veteran to start at quarterback for the Jaguars Sunday.

Bradley, speaking early Monday afternoon, said the coaching staff had not discussed specific personnel issues since a one-sided loss to the Washington Redskins Sunday. But he said if he had to make a decision at that point, he would start the seven-year veteran over rookie Blake Bortles when the team plays host to Indianapolis Sunday.

"If you're asking me right now, yeah, Chad Henne's our starter," Bradley said a day after the Jaguars' 41-10 loss to the Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.

Bradley was asked if he was leaving "a slight crack open" for Bortles to start Sunday.

"We haven't talked about that part of it," Bradley said. "I know what you're asking, but I can't answer that right now."

Bradley's discussion of the quarterback position came the same day the Jaguars announced that tight end Marcedes Lewis will miss six-to-eight weeks with a high-ankle sprain.

Lewis sustained the injury on the first play of the second half Sunday.

Bradley said the team does not plan to put Lewis – whose 63-yard reception late in the first half was the Jaguars' only touchdown Sunday – on the season-ending injured reserve list. Bradley said the team could consider placing Lewis on the IR-designated-to-return list, which would mean he could return in eight games.

"It could be a discussion with the designated to return," Bradley said.

Bradley also talked extensively on Monday about the Jaguars' overall struggles offensively. The Jaguars allowed 10 sacks Sunday, ran for 25 yards on 10 carries, and produced just 148 yards of total offense.

Bradley said the line also allowed four quarterback hits, and that the Jaguars' young wide receiver corps made at least 10 mental errors, adding that those mental errors and decision-making at the quarterback position were also issues.

Bradley said the first priority Monday was to discuss and begin addressing those issues, and that conversations about who to start and playing time for Sunday had not yet happened.

"Those conversations have not come up," Bradley said.

Bradley said everything offensively and defensively is being evaluated, and that while Henne performed "well," it's hard to evaluate when he was sacked 10 times and hit four others.

"We have to evaluate everything as a whole," Bradley said. "Will there be some changes taking place offensively, defensively and special teams? I'm sure there's going to be. Now, if you're asking solely the quarterback – that conversation hasn't come up."

Henne completed 14 of 28 passes for 193 yards and a touchdown with an interception. Bradley said after the game there was never a consideration of playing Bortles, the No. 3 overall selection in the 2014 NFL Draft who performed well during the preseason.

"I still feel very strongly about Chad," Bradley said.

Bradley said some of the Jaguars' sacks came when the passing offense was in "quick game," which is designed to get the ball out of the quarterback's hands quickly to counter blitzing. Bradley said there were times in that situation that receivers ran wrong routes.

"I don't want to put it all on the receivers," Bradley said. "I think there were some issues there. But I think there were some issues in decision-making. At times you have to throw the ball away if there is a situation where they're not open or they're covered – and then the offensive line with protection.

"I think overall if you said, 'Are there trust issues?' I would say yes. The quarterback has to trust the receivers to do what their job is. The running backs, the offensive line has to have their job done with protection.

"I think overall, that's what we're looking at right now, to build up that trust."

Also around the Jaguars:

*Bradley said the Jaguars had 21 missed tackles against Washington, a number he called "really high." He also said the team had 10 busts or missed assignments defensively, adding "It just wasn't us defensively." …

*Wide receiver Allen Hurns is considered day-to-day with an ankle injury sustained on the Jaguars' final offensive play Sunday. It is unknown if he will practice Wednesday. …

*Rookie wide receiver Marqise Lee had a sore hamstring Monday but is expected to practice Wednesday. …

*Offensive tackle Austin Pasztor, out since fracturing his hand in the second week of the preseason, is expected to practice Wednesday with a protective "club" device on his hand.

*Wide receiver Cecil Shorts III, who missed the first two preseason games with a hamstring injury, ran on Monday and could practice Wednesday. …

*Tight end Clay Harbor, out with a calf injury since before the preseason opener, could practice this week, but it's not certain.

*Safety Johnathan Cyprien remains in the NFL's concussion program after missing Sunday's game with a concussion sustained in the regular-season opener. He will be evaluated Tuesday.

*Running back Toby Gerhart sustained a foot injury Sunday, but is expected to practice Wednesday as the team begins preparing to play Indianapolis at EverBank Field Sunday.

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