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Notable absences lead to big opportunities for Jaguars' deep reserves during OTAs

The Jaguars have been without several notable players during their first two organized team activity sessions, which has opened up premium reps for players buried on the depth chart.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- In the NFL, adversity can lead to opportunity.

The Jaguars have been without several notable players during their first two organized team activities (OTAs) sessions. Those absences have opened up premium reps for players buried on the depth chart.

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The team's top two cornerbacks, Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye, have skipped out on the voluntary workouts. The team's top two running backs, Leonard Fournette and T.J. Yeldon, have also missed time.

The Jaguars also have five injured players being held out of workouts. Defensive ends Dante Fowler and Dawuane Smoot, fullback Tommy Bohanon, long snapper Carson Tinker and guard A.J. Cann have all missed out on reps due to their respective ailments this week.

With so many key players being held out of the action, others are getting opportunities that they wouldn't typically receive. Cornerbacks, running backs and defensive linemen are taking advantage of the added playing time as they work to make strong early impressions on the coaching staff.

“I think it is a way that we as coaches – I know I do this – I try to find a positive in it, especially at this time of the year," Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone said Thursday.

"It means that someone has another opportunity, someone has a step up. Obviously, we feel really good about our corners, but now is a great opportunity to find who else can go out there and play. It is the same situation. I do feel poorly about the people that can’t be out there. It is not their fault because now someone else has an opportunity to go in there and prove that they can do better."

Last year, journeyman cornerback Tyler Patmon took advantage of the absences of Ramsey, Bouye and Aaron Colvin during OTAs. He was able to make plays during the workouts and eventually made the Jaguars' 53-man roster.

Patmon will look to repeat history during this year's OTAs. He will have competition though, as young cornerbacks like Sammy Seamster, Jalen Myrick, Quenton Meeks, Dee Delaney and Tre Herndon try to take a page out of his playbook.

Lamar Atkins is the lone fullback taking part in workouts during OTAs. His presence alone could grab the attention of the Jaguars' front office. Similarly, Brandon Wilds and Tim Cook are the only running backs behind Corey Grant with Yeldon and Fournette missing out on reps.

With Fowler and Smoot sidelined, last year's undrafted rookies, Carroll Phillips and Hunter Dimick, are getting extra opportunities to shine. Those increased reps may not vault them over Smoot or Fowler on the depth chart but the extra work could lead to bigger roles in the future.

While the increased reps can be advantageous, they also come with serious risk. Players have a much larger chance of making mistakes with added opportunities.

Those players must put their right foot forward or face the consequences.

"I say to the team all the time, ‘No one can make the team right now,’" Marrone said.

"I mean make the team by what they do on the field because we are not in pads, and we are not tackling. There is no physical contact. But I do tell the players you can get cut if you are on the ground or doing things or making a lot of mistakes or putting other people in jeopardy. That is the one thing I have always emphasized at this point.”

Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter at @Mike_E_Kaye.

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