Jaguars rookie minicamp kicks off; Pederson talks injuries, Jarvis Landry, & defensive updates

The Jaguars HC spoke with the media prior to hitting the Miller Electric practice fields for the first time in 2024. Here are a few takeaways.

We have football (well, kinda), ladies and gentlemen! The Jacksonville Jaguars kicked off rookie minicamp on Friday, showcasing the new crop of rookie talent acquired in the 2024 NFL Draft! Joining them is the team’s impressive crop of undrafted free agents (UDFAs) and a few notable veteran players. In total, 31 players attended on Friday.

Full Availability

Prior to the practice, Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson provided a few injury updates on veteran players.

Injuries:

As an injury update, new addition, WR Gabe Davis is reportedly dealing with an undisclosed injury from the 2023 season. Coach Pederson advised the team would circle back in the coming OTAs to see where he is at physically.

Additionally, OG Cooper Hodges and CB Christian Braswell, who both spent 2023 on IR, are both fully recovered from their 2023 injuries and ready to practice, per Coach Pederson. Also, Doug provided this interesting nugget, advising that players who were on IR receive a pension credit for that season. As such, they are unable to participate in rookie mini-camp. Fans and media will be able to get a closer look at both during the June OTAs.

Jarvis Landry

Coach Pederson indicated that the team invited veteran, Pro Bowl WR Jarvis Landry to tryout with the team to evaluate where he is currently, after taking the 2023 season off.

“You want to be able to put eyes on as many players as you can. And he’s obviously played several years in this league. Talented guy. Just see where he’s at. He was out of ball, I believe in 23’ and 22’ was his last year. He’s been hurt. Just kinda seeing where he is health-wise, see where he’s at. It’s nothing more than coming in on a try-out basis.”

As previously covered by BigCatCountry’s Gus Logue,

Landry last played with the New Orleans Saints in 2022 but an ankle injury ended his season, and the Louisiana native sat out all of 2023. He did have a tryout with the Indianapolis Colts in December but Landry left without a contract offer.

Defensive Updates

With the team’s transition from a primarily 3-4 front, to more of a 4-3 base there have been a few questions on what this could mean for any potential position switches for a few players. Coach Pederson provided clarity to this on Friday.

“You know, obviously, he’s a DT. You know, he’s the type of guy that can they can give you some minutes at that new three technique, and let’s just say new, but you know, the Roy Robertson position and working inside, right there. You know, a guy like Yasir (Abdullah) is more of your, you know, second long or third down pass rush guy in the new scheme. He’s a SAM linebacker, you know, in that position. So, if you’re in a 3-4, he’s an outside backer. You know, if you’re in a 4-3, he could be he could be off the ball. But you know, chances are he’s gonna be more some pass rush situations.”

This would seem to provide some clarity that Tyler Lacy will play 3-tech DT & Yasir Abdullah will play some DPR (designated pass rusher) reps and strong-side linebacker minutes, backing up LB Devin Lloyd.

The team returns to the practice field on Saturday (which is closed to the media). The team’s next open practice is during the first OTA, scheduled for Monday, May 20th at 11 am.