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JAGUARS NOTEBOOK
by MICHAEL C. WRIGHT , Florida Times-Union
Mathis sat out last week because of a broken left index finger. Monroe didn't start at Tennessee because the team opted to go with veteran Tra Thomas, who had experienced success earlier this season against Titans defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch.
Mathis' return means Reggie Nelson will resume his role as a starter at safety opposite Gerald Alexander. Monroe joins a starting offensive line that - partially due to injury and illness - switched out personnel on five occasions before Del Rio's announcement Friday.
All the shuffling led some to characterize it as a musical-chairs situation that could hinder the time it takes to gain cohesiveness and continuity up front.
The hope now is that the club can stabilize the line by keeping personnel the same for the duration of the season.
In the secondary, Nelson replaced Mathis at left corner against the Titans and struggled. Mathis will play with a cast on his left arm Sunday, but defensive coordinator Mel Tucker didn't expect the cast to hinder the corner's movement.
"From what I see, he moves around pretty good. He's in tune with what we're doing. He's focused," Tucker said.
HONORING THE MILITARY
Sunday's game against the Chiefs is Jaguars military appreciation day.
Among the activities planned: pregame ceremonies in which the team and city of Jacksonville will recognize 10 veterans from past wars; Jaguars players will be led out of the tunnel by eight sailors from NAS Jacksonville, who have recently returned from deployment; and 20 Wounded Warriors will be recognized on-field for service to their country during the third-quarter break.
At halftime, a mass induction is scheduled at midfield involving all five branches of the military and 120 recruits.
COACH-PLAYER REUNIONS
Receivers coach Todd Monken and quarterbacks coach Mike Shula have a chance to meet up with former pupils Sunday.
Monken coached Chiefs receiver Dwayne Bowe at LSU. Shula served as Alabama's head coach during Brodie Croyle's college days.
Bowe finished his Tigers career with 154 catches for 2,403 yards and a school-record 26 touchdowns. Croyle set Alabama's single-season record for passing yards (2,499) in 2005 under Shula.
Jaguars IN THE COMMUNITY
Quarterback David Garrard will participate Tuesday in the NFL's "Take a player to school, Play 60" initiative at Timucuan Elementary. ... Rookie tight end
ETC.
CB Scott Starks (hamstring) didn't practice Friday and is out for Sunday's game. Mathis (finger), KR Brian Witherspoon (hamstring) and tackle Maurice Williams (knee) are probable. Williams was held to limited participation at practice Friday, and Mathis and Witherspoon worked at full capacity. ... Kansas City S Jon McGraw (thigh) didn't practice Friday and is listed as doubtful. G Mike Goff (shoulder) was limited in workouts and is questionable. OT Brandon Albert (ankle), C Rudy Niswanger (knee) and CB Mike Richardson (illness) are probable. ... Beginning with last week's game at Tennessee, the Jaguars play a string of three consecutive games against opponents coming off bye weeks. ... Jacksonville's first seven opponents are a combined 21-31. All of the Jaguars' opponents combined are 53-65 thus far. ... The 15th annual Jaguars food drive stadium collection is Sunday. Fans can bring a non-perishable food item to the game or make a monetary donation. The first 2,500 fans who donate at the game receive a Jaguars giveaway item.
michael.wright@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4657
When: 1 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.
TV/Radio: None; WOKV (690 AM. 106.5 FM).
Records: Chiefs are 1-6; Jaguars are 3-4.
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