The Sports Xchange

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars began their 10 practices called OTAs, which stands for organized team activities, on Tuesday. Although 88 players were on hand, the two who did not participate received most of the attention.

Ironically, they are slated to compete against each other for a starting spot in 2015. Or they were.

First-round draft pick and pass-rushing standout Dante Fowler Jr. is awaiting surgery next week to repair a torn ACL in his left knee, the freak result of an otherwise innocuous no-contact drill in the first hour of the team’s rookie minicamp in early May.

Healthy and able to participate in this week’s OTAs, defensive end Chris Clemons was a no-show. The 12-year veteran opted to skip at least the first three team OTAs as Jaguars coach Gus Bradley gave little hope that Clemons would be joining the other Jaguars veterans and rookies this week.

“We’re still talking about that to see if we can get him,” Bradley said.

Exactly why Clemons is a no-show is not certain, He hasn’t made any public statements to date.

It’s not a contract issue as Clemons just signed a four-year, $17.5 million deal with the Jaguars a year ago that included nearly $5 million in guaranteed money. He did miss parts of the Jaguars’ OTAs a year ago, as well as some of Seattle’s OTAs during his four years (2010-2013) with the Seahawks.

Clemons has not participated in any of the Jaguars’ offseason workouts before the start of OTAs. The players have been doing various forms of weightlifting, some on-the-field workouts and various meetings with position coaches. Bradley did say Clemons has continued a dialogue with Jaguars defensive line coach Tom Wash.

“Obviously, we’d like to have everybody here, but the part that’s important is he communicated and we touched base,” Bradley added. “He knows our feelings.”

Bradley said he has talked to Clemons in recent days. He said he understands Clemons’ reasons for not being in attendance but expressed a desire to have all healthy players participate in the team’s OTAs.

“Every one of these guys has a different way of getting themselves ready to play,” Bradley said. “I’ve learned you can challenge how they get ready, but some guys just feel strongly. They know what works for them and they have strong beliefs on it. He has strong beliefs, very strong beliefs on it. We keep challenging it. Like I said, everybody is different in how they get themselves ready and to this point he has not been ready.”

Not surprisingly, several Jaguars players said they thought Clemons would be with the team soon and that when he did report, he would be ready to go from the first day.

“He’s a 12-year veteran, he’s highly reliable, he’s a professional who is taking care of himself,” said linebacker Paul Pozluszny, who was anxious to get started with the Jaguars again after missing the final nine games of the 2014 season with a torn pectoral muscle. “When he gets in here day one, it’ll be like he never missed any time. There’s certain guys who can do that; he’s one of them.”

Defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks is still recovering from offseason ACL surgery and can’t participate in team drills, but he has been on hand and doing everything but on-the-field work. He also believes Clemons will be in playing condition upon his arrival.

“We all know Clem. I don’t think Clem has been at an offseason workout in seven years,” Marks said with a laugh. “But he’s always come in and did his job. I don’t think it’s an issue. As long as he’s in shape and ready to go, that’s all that matters. He knows the defense, he knows the scheme. He’ll be ready to go.”

Not all 89 players were healthy enough to take part in team activities this week. Marks and fellow defensive tackle Roy Miller are still recovering from surgery earlier this year. Wide receiver Marqise Lee (knee) and safety Josh Evans (shoulder) also did not participate.

Bradley indicated that Lee might not return until the mandatory minicamp in June. Evans has been cleared to participate, but not with any live contact at this point.