Jaguars RB Travis Etienne shows off speed during OTAs; Lawrence, WRs build chemistry

The Jacksonville Jaguars' first organized team activity workout under coach Doug Pederson had some highlights Monday, most notably running back Travis Etienne, who looked fast.

Before Monday's workout, Pederson announced Etienne had been cleared for all practice activities. And it didn't take long into the workout at TIAA Bank Field for Etienne to show why, especially when he moved about quickly throughout the running back drills.

Etienne's explosiveness was particularly noticeable during 9-on-7 work against the defense. He even returned a couple of punts.

Etienne's only misstep of the day was when he dropped a pass while wide open after running a crossing pattern over the middle.

Etienne missed all of last season with a Lisfranc injury to his left foot, but he is expected to be a vital part of the offense as a dual-threat this upcoming season.

While Etienne is back, running back James Robinson is still working himself back from surgery in December to repair a torn Achilles tendon. He watched from the sidelined Monday and is not expected to participate in the OTA workouts.

"It's nice, last year, we had a year-long break," said quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who was a college teammate of Etienne at Clemson. "Everybody has been anxious for him to get back, including myself."

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Pederson said will continue monitoring Etienne, a first-round pick in 2021,  to make sure he remains at 100% throughout the final phase of the offseason program that includes nine more non-contact workouts before the June 13-15 mandatory minicamp.

"We don't want any setbacks at this stage, but he's been doing really good," Pederson said. "This is the time to let these guys play a little to see what you have before you head to camp."

Chemistry building between Lawrence, receivers

Pederson came away from Day 1 believing the chemistry between Lawrence and his new receivers Christian Kirk, Jay Jones and tight end Evan Engram is on schedule.

One of the best plays of the day occurred when Lawrence connected with Kirk on a deep downfield pass after he got a step on cornerback Tre Herndon.

Two things that stood out about Kirk is his speed and route running. He beat cornerback Shaquill Griffin for a 10-yard catch after coming back for the ball on a curl route near the sideline.

Then, Kirk beat the defensive coverage on an inside slant route on another play because of his blazing speed.

"I think we have developed so much from phase one to phase two and now getting on the field against the defense," Kirk said. "We're just sharpening our tools every single day and just getting the timing down, building team camaraderie. I think we're moving at the pace we're supposed to before going into training camp."

Asked about his deep downfield catch, Kirk said he is expected to make those kinds of plays.

The Jaguars inked Kirk to a four-year, $72 million contract in free agency to help spark an offense with Lawrence that averaged a league-low 14.9 points per game last season.

Pederson wants his offense to be high-powered, versatile and utilize playmakers like Kirk and Etienne.

"This is the time of the year we figure out what we have in all three phases," Pederson said. "What I look to get out of these next couple of weeks is just that, just the execution, how well the guys retain the information from the classroom to the football field, and playing fast, protecting each other, and just see where we are as a football team."

Lawrence looked sharp, especially on throws when he rolled out the pocket to connect with Engram a few times.

Lawrence wasn't flawless, however.

He threw a pass directly to defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton for his only interception of the day. He also had a pass batted down by 6-foot-5 defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris and was chased down in the pocket by defensive tackle Adam Gotsis.

"I gave DaVon an early birthday present," Lawrence said. "I don't know when his birthday is, but I threw it straight to him. But besides that, I thought I had a good day. Obviously, you are always looking to improve, and when you have a bunch of guys that you know didn't play together last year and then throwing in some rookies as well, you're still trying to work out the kinks."

Though the OTAs workouts are voluntary and no contact allowed with players in helmets and shorts, the defensive line got pressure on the quarterback because they got off the ball quicker a few times than the offensive line.

But Lawrence looked poised and comfortable in the new offense that includes several motion plays, bunch sets with two receivers lined up close on one side.

"We're betting on things that we can take to Sundays," Kirk said. "It's definitely great to be in a new place and getting a fresh start. It's new teammates, new coaches and a new organization. I'm just blessed to be able to come to the building every day and be around a great group of guys, and it's helped me mature. Trevor got all the tools athletically and you know as a person, he's a great guy."

Golfing buddies

To help build their chemistry together, Kirk and Lawrence have become golfing buddies. But Lawrence said Kirk is a much better golfer than he is, but it's their way of bonding as teammates.

"I've been playing a lot, but he probably plays more than me," Lawrence said. "Christian is better than me, sadly. We played our first week down here and we're going to play this week, too."

Notable absences

No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker, left tackle Cam Robinson, reserve quarterback Jake Luton and offensive tackle Will Richardson Jr. did not practice Monday because of personal reasons, Pederson said.

Cornerback Darious Williams and defensive tackle Malcom Brown did not practice but were on the field dressed in street clothes.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Travis Etienne show off speed during OTAs