JACKSONVILLE - The sun beat down through high, wispy clouds and a bluish-gray haze Wednesday. It was 81 and climbing, another typical morning.
But this hasn't been a normal training camp for the Jaguars. Two 300-pound defensive linemen, Larry Smith and John Henderson, succumbed to the heat and were taken to the hospital within the first four days of practice.
Smith returned to the field Wednesday and Henderson was fine, but their hospitalizations were a reminder of the dangers of playing in the heat of training camp. It's a lesson the NFL has been hammering home, especially since the death of Vikings lineman Korey Stringer two summers ago.
"The truth is, everybody gets a little dizzy sometimes," said Panthers offensive tackle Todd Steussie, a former teammate of Stringer.
The Jaguars shipped in portable lights for the practice field and made plans to reschedule some of their workouts for night, starting today. Owner Wayne Weaver also is considering buying a big plastic bubble that could cover the field so the team can escape the heat.
Jacksonville isn't alone in making concessions to the weather.
The Redskins, training in Ashburn, Va., have treated four players for heat-related symptoms in three days of camp. The team sent each to the hospital.
BEARS: Running back Eric McCoo left the field with an unspecified knee injury and was waived.
BRONCOS: Rookie defensive tackle Nick Eason was expected to be back in training camp by the weekend after unexpectedly leaving the team, his agent said. "It's really just some personal issues," agent Gene Krcelic said.
BROWNS: Linebacker Chaun Thompson, who played at West Texas A&M, ended his holdout and agreed to a five-year contract after the team warned the second-round pick it might reduce the amount of his deal.
COLTS: Rookie cornerback Donald Strickland and safety Mike Doss signed contracts. Strickland won't practice right away because he has a groin injury.
DOLPHINS: Wide receiver Oronde Gadsden was carted away after injuring his left ankle. An X-ray showed the ankle was not broken, and coach Dave Wannstedt said the team does not know the severity of the injury but that it is limited to the ligament. Gadsden played in only six games last season because of a torn ligament in his left wrist. ... The team is investigating the arrest of linebacker Justin Seaverns, jailed two weeks ago after North Carolina investigators said he made harassing phone calls to his former girlfriend, Krislyn Marie Brown. James Shores, a spokesman for the Kernersville, N.C., police, said Seaverns was arrested July 18 and charged with a misdemeanor. He was released on $1,000 bond.
49ERS: Tight end Mark Anelli will miss six to eight weeks with a broken collarbone.
PANTHERS: Offensive tackle Melvin Tuten tore the MCL and ACL in his left knee and was expected to miss at least three months.
PATRIOTS: Fullback Larry Centers signed after spending the past two seasons with the Bills. Centers, 35, has been in the league for 13 years, also playing for Arizona and Washington.
RAVENS: Holdout quarterback Kyle Boller, who played at California, reached a verbal agreement on a five-year deal.
REDSKINS: The team began negotiations on a contract for Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey, who can become a free agent after the season. Bailey is prized so much that team owner Dan Snyder cut starting defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson on Tuesday to free salary-cap space.
Toxicology report: Predators coach drunk
ORLANDO - Predators coach Fran Papasedero, 34, was drunk when he flipped his car and was killed after being ejected, according to a toxicology report.
The preliminary report indicates that at the time of the June 19 accident, the blood alcohol level of the Arena Football League coach was .185. The limit for driving is .08.
