Day 5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars 2024 Training Camp kicks off on Monday morning, with Head Coach Doug Pederson heading to the podium before the team took to the field. Here are a few takeaways from his media availability.
Full Media Availability
Defense normally ahead of offense in camp
“I mean, look, we’re four days in, and they’re gonna happen. Typically, at this time, you would say defense is probably ahead of the offense. You know, I mean, it’s always been that way.”
However, offensive turnovers are still something that Pederson would prefer not to see.
“And any turnovers can be, you know, a cause for concern. But we continue to coach and teach, but on the other side of it, that’s what you want your defense to do. So, I’m kind of stuck in the middle.”
He later continued:
“We’re not game planning our defense, and they’re not game planning the offense. So we are installing plays, they’re installing defenses. And we just go out and execute, you know, and wanna see what our guys know, and can they play fast. So a lot of situations are not conducive. A route combination may not be conducive to the coverage that they’re playing, right, I mean, those are all, and we don’t care about that. Again, we don’t.
I wanna see what guys know, are they running the right routes? I wanna see if Trevor’s going through the progression. I wanna see, you know, if it’s a team situation, protection aspects of that. That’s the teaching part of training camp. We’re not in week five, you know, it’s day five, really, of practice. So, we’re not, again, we’re not scheming.”
Brian Thomas Jr progressing as expected
While much ado has been made by fans and media about the progress, or lack thereof of rookie WR Brian Thomas Jr, Pederson advises that the rookie is exactly where the staff needs him to be at this time of year.
“He’s been doing a good job. He’s competing, he’s still learning, he’s still growing. Learning the offense, but in a good place. Takes coaching well, not only from us, but from his peers on the field and from Trevor. He’s just right where he needs to be.”
Pads often change things
Pederson states that, as with many training camps the introduction of pads and the physicality that comes with it changes things. Many players separate themselves at that time of camp and preseason.
“This next three days, and then really four after this next break are gonna be a big test for this team, cuz the pads are coming on. Practices get longer. And I think that’s when you’re gonna start seeing some players maybe start separating themselves.”
Pederson also mentioned to expect some short yardage periods later this week, to see where the team is in that area.
“We know we can improve there, get better. I think, you know, once we get the pads on this week and we really start, you know, kind of buckling down in that part of it. We’ll see where we are, but I like where we’re headed, you know, right now, what I’ve seen so far in the first four days. We’ll have a short yardage period coming up later this week, you know, in pads. And you see exactly what can be. And I think that’s the thing you gotta really realize, that right now, being in shorts, you can’t get a lot done.”
Hamilton back to form
Pederson provided a positive update on DT DaVon Hamilton’s return from his 2023 spinal abscess medical issue, stating that he believes DaVon is back to normal, a huge boon for the defense.
“He’s healthy, he’s strong. He’s doing some really good things out there. He’s coming off the ball. I mean, yeah, it’s good to see him back to where he was, that pre-back injury.”
He continued:
“He’s a stout player, he’s a big player in there. And that was a piece that was really missed, because now you’re having to do it with maybe two other guys. And with him, he can play all three downs for you if you need to. And so that was a big, big loss (in 2023).”
Depth chart rotations to continue
As the team continues to work through the process of setting an initial depth chart the staff will continue rotating the presumptive starters to get them some work with everyone on the roster, to accurately gauge where everyone is at.
“You know, (the offense is) progressing okay, you know. It’s obviously we’re not a finished product. And we just continue to continue to learn and grow and work in different combinations up front in the O-line, work in different combinations at receivers and running backs. We’re still in this developmental phase, you know, developing all our players. As we get going deeper into camp, we’ll get more specific on lineups and things like that.”
He later continued:
“My message to the staff has been we need to get them all in there, right, and get them all to play. And even get them in there with the first unit more, see how they respond with the first unit. Playing with Trevor, playing alongside of Mitch or Brandon or one of those guys, or even on defense if you’re in the secondary playing with Tyson, Darby, just mixing all those guys up. So not one particular guy, but we’ll find out here in the next seven, eight days, kind of where we’re headed.”
Pederson specifically mentioned Parker Washington as someone he’s excited to see more of with the starting group this week.
“Parker Washington has kind of taken another step. And plus, he’s healthy too, coming off that injury from college last year and all of that, he’s another one.”
Injury updates:
Coach Pederson also provided the following injury updates for the team:
- DT Roy Robertson-Harris will return to practice in a limited capacity today from his foot injury.
- CB Tyson Campbell has been cleared and will gradually return to practice after recovering from an ankle injury.
- CB Jarrian Jones will also be easing back into practice as he continues to recover from an ankle injury.
- WR Gabe Davis was limited last week due to a knee injury, but is expected to increase his workload in the coming days.
- Arik Armstead is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list as he recovers from offseason meniscus surgery. Coach Pederson anticipates his full return during Training Camp, with the possibility of being activated from the PUP list soon.
- S Darnell Savage will be practicing in a limited capacity wearing a non-contact jersey as he continues to recover from a torn rotator cuff.
- OT Stephen Jones – is expected to be out or limited for about a week due to a calf sprain sustained during conditioning tests.
Next Up:
The team’s next Training Camp is set for Tuesday, July 30th, with practice warm-ups starting at 8:30 A.M. Practice will begin at 9 A.M. Make sure to secure your free tickets!