Jags taking it slow as Jack learns new role

JACKSONVILLE — Limited to individual work throughout the offseason program, Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack compared observing team drills from the sideline to “sitting in the house and watching all your friends go play.”

One thing that does put a smile on Jack’s face: He still has a lot of friends on the Jaguars’ defense.

Jack noticed that during a walk-through to start Tuesday’s practice, the first time since last season ended that the entire starting unit was on the field together.

Of the 12 players who saw the most defensive snaps for the Jaguars in 2017, 10 are back. Only cornerback Aaron Colvin (signed with Houston) and linebacker Paul Posluszny (retired) are gone.

“Just seeing everybody in there, all the faces that you’re used to seeing when you’re calling the play, it was cool having everybody back in,” Jack said. “You can definitely feel that.”

The Jaguars took a cautious approach with Jack during 10 organized-team activities and the threeday minicamp that ended their offseason program Thursday. Jack participated in walk-throughs to install the defense and worked individually and on the side with a position coach, but 11-on-11 work and other team sessions were out.

Jaguars coach Doug Marrone said his rationale for that choice was “not a medical decision.” Marrone expects Jack to be a full participant when training camp opens July 26 but wanted to ease him through the offseason.

“He hasn’t had a lot of time to condition as much as I would like him to do to put him in there,” Marrone said. “I think he’s ready to go. I just didn’t want to take a chance of putting him in there and not putting him at the best he can be from a conditioning standpoint.”

Jack hasn’t been on the field for team drills, but he has been learning.

This is an important offseason for the 22-year-old, who is expected to replace Posluszny and become the full-time middle linebacker.