The Sports Xchange

JACKSONVILLE — In their locker room Sunday after being embarrassed by the New England Patriots, 51-10, versions of the word precise or precision were uttered often. They were in reference to what the Patriots displayed plenty of and the Jacksonville Jaguars, well, not at all.

It started with Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley.

“That team played with precision in all three phases,” Bradley said. “When you play against a really good team, you really see the importance of precision and we didn’t play with that. I think it starts with me.”

With quarterback Tom Brady completing 74 percent of his passes and the Patriots not punting the ball in the game, it’s a clear case of precision for the winners. The Jaguars’ players tried to sell the theory that while the Patriots were on the mark almost all day, they would learn from their numerous mistakes in the game.

“We’ll watch the film, I don’t think we are further behind, I just think it’s a game of precision and they executed a lot more than we did,” tight end Marcedes Lewis said. “There were routine things we didn’t take care of this game and we are going to get those things corrected.”

Defensive end Jared Odrick added: “If you want to talk about preciseness, precise in terms of taking advantage of mistakes, that’s the name of the game. That’s what the Patriots do best is capitalize on other’s mistakes. You have to be in position to be able to take care of what you do.”

–Some veteran Jaguars personnel who have been around since Jacksonville first fielded an NFL team in 1995 are saying this could be the most injury-decimated team in the franchise’s 21-year history.

Before Bradley met with the local media on Monday, team officials provided an update on the injured players. Usually it’s done by word of mouth. But when there are 14 starters or key contributors on the list, it was put out in written form this time.

The unit hardest hit by the injury bug is the secondary where five players who have started games are listed with some type of ailment. That includes strong safety Johnathan Cyprien, free safety Sergio Brown and cornerback Davon House. All were opening-day starters for the Jaguars and if all were healthy, would be in the starting lineup for Sunday’s game in Indianapolis.

Add in cornerback Dwayne Gratz, who would have replaced House, and Josh Evans, who was a backup to Cyprien, and you get an idea of the trouble that confronts the secondary for this week with Colts quarterback Andrew Luck.

It doesn’t stop there. Two of the team’s top four wide receivers, starting tight end Julius Thomas and two starters in the offensive line are also included on the injury list.

Few teams have been hit with injuries like the Jaguars. Their mentality is always “next man up.” It’s just that the “next man up” isn’t always as competent as who he’s replacing.

Notes: Running back Toby Gerhart saw his first regular-season action after being out several weeks with an abdominal strain. … Wide receiver Allen Hurns (aggravated thigh muscle) will rehab early this week and may return to practice by Thursday. … Wide receiver Marqise Lee (knee) was downgraded to questionable due to soreness Saturday, but played early in the game. … Cornerback Davon House (lower leg muscle strain) will be evaluated Wednesday or Thursday. … Strong safety Josh Evans (knee/MCL injury) left the game and did not return. … FS Sergio Brown (calf strain) also was sidelined during the game and his status is unknown. … Injured players whose status will be updated Wednesday or Thursday include strong safety Johnathan Cyprien (calf), left tackle Luke Joeckel (ankle) and running back Denard Robinson (knee). … Tight end Julius Thomas (hand) had tests and results are pending.