Jalen Ramsey off PUP, returns to practice

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars banged up secondary got some good news on Saturday when Jalen Ramsey was removed from the physically unable to perform list. The second-year cornerback returned to practice for the first time since having core muscle surgery on June 15. Ramsey suffered the injury during Organized Team Activities which caused him to miss all of mandatory minicamp.

“I’m just taking things day by day,” said Ramsey who only participated in individual drills on Saturday. “I’m just seeing how I feel each and every day. It’s been a process.”

Expectations are high for Ramsey after a rookie season where he made 65 tackles, broke up 14 passes and two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. Last season Ramsey was assigned opposing team’s top receiver and asked to follow him all over the field. Over the offseason the Jaguars signed A.J. Bouye from Houston and now feel that they have two “shutdown corners.”

Communication is key no matter the position in football. However a mix-up in the secondary usually leads to a touchdown. At no point during the offseason have the Jaguars top five defensive backs been on the field at the same time. Saturday was the first day that Bouye and Ramsey shared the field with safeties Barry Church and Tashaun Gipson. Nickel cornerback Aaron Colvin has yet to take the field at all and remains the only Jaguar left on the PUP list.

“It will be nice when we can put the whole gang together,” said Ramsey. “We haven’t gotten to that point yet. But everybody is doing a pretty good job. There are going to be some ups and downs and wins and losses.”

There are three preseason games left and Ramsey feels that’s enough time for everyone to get on the same page.  

“Oh we gone be ready for opening day,” said Ramsey. “I can’t talk about day to day but I’ll let you know where going to be ready for that. I promise you that.”