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Michael DiRocco, ESPN Employees Author
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jaguars are taking it simple with receiver Calvin Ridley in his return to soccer.
Head coach Doug Pederson mentioned Tuesday he is limiting Ridley’s reps in some drills and staff work all through organized staff actions and the upcoming necessary minicamp however will clear Ridley for full participation as soon as coaching camp begins.
“He hasn’t performed shortly plus the harm [broken foot in 2021], so we’re simply making an attempt to watch out with him,” Pederson mentioned. “He is the kind of man that you need to pump the brakes with. He needs to go a lot and so quick and so arduous on the market at observe that we simply need to pump the brakes and simply inform him, ‘Hey, now now’s not the time.’
“However he is doing a terrific job. He is selecting up the offense properly. The occasions that he is working with Trevor [Lawrence] on the identical web page they’re connecting and people are good issues to see proper now within the offseason.”
Ridley mentioned Tuesday he understands the strategy however admitted it is arduous for him to take some reps off.
“I solely actually know one pace, however I received to regularly get my physique again to soccer, like soccer and be peaking into the season, not out right here [in OTAs],” he mentioned. “After all I anticipated I’d be just a little rusty as a result of you may’t actually prepare for this. I imply the warmth, the helmet. Simply operating on daily basis is what it truly is since you get sore. I’ve received to verify I construct and never be sore within the season.”
Ridley hasn’t performed in an NFL sport since Oct. 24, 2021, when he was with the Atlanta Falcons. Final March, he was suspended for all of final season after an investigation discovered that he wager on NFL video games over a five-day stretch in November 2021.
Ridley, who was acquired by the Jaguars from the Falcons finally season’s buying and selling deadline, was reinstated on March 6.