Jones-Drew will be third-down back for now

Maurice Jones-Drew went through his first practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday, and afterward, Coach Mike Mularkey indicated that the star running back will be a "third-down back."

"His body has to get back in condition to taking the hits," Mularkey told the Florida Times-Union. "I didn't see anything mentally [in practice] that slowed him down."

MJD says he is willing to do whatever is necessary and that how much he plays is in the hands of the coaches. Rashad Jennings, who filled in for Jones-Drew all through preseason, will start for the Jags against the Vikings.

“You know me, I’ll carry it 80 times [if necessary],” Jones-Drew said. “I’m going to do the best I can to be ready. That’s not up to me. It’s up to the coaches if they feel I’m ready. We’re going to communicate on that. If they feel I’m ready, I’m going to play. If not, that’s their choice.”

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Terry McCormick covers the Titans for TitanInsider.com