Jaguars coach Gus Bradley saw it all week in practice. Receiver Cecil Shorts confidence in his body was back.
The fourth-year veteran has been plagued by three separate hamstring issues since early in training camp. Shorts was inactive for three of the teams first five games and couldnt finish another, all after missing much of the preseason.
Shorts returned last Sunday in a 16-14 loss at Tennessee...Shorts... caught a career-high 10 passes for 103 yards.
I think hes confident because hes healthy, Bradley said Friday after practice. Maybe thats what I sense is that hes healthy. Its not where hes coming back and leery of where hes at physically. I just sense a great deal of confidence in him.
When Shorts pulled up lame on a route in San Diego... the feeling was that Shorts would miss multiple games.
He missed one, a 17-9 loss to Pittsburgh.
Shorts wanted extra medical attention. He received the Jaguars permission to travel to see Josh Sandell in Eden Prairie, Minn. Sandell, the chief clinical officer at Orthology Inc., which specializes in rapid recovery from physical injuries and chronic pain, met Shorts at Arizona receiver Larry Fitzgeralds football camp in 2011.
Shorts flew to Minnesota after the Steelers game, getting five-hour treatments on Monday and Tuesday before returning for Wednesdays practice.
Basically, hes the reason I played last week, Shorts said. I was supposed to be out longer than that. I went up there and got some work done. The stuff he does is not normal. He made it up himself. In my mind, hes a genius.
Sandell works with the Minnesota Vikings and served as the Team USA chiropractor at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
I cant express how much he means to me, Shorts said. Ill continue to go up there and see him. Hes the reason Im healthy right now.
The Jaguars were open to Shorts request to visit Sandell. Shorts is the teams most proven receiver and without him the Jaguars were largely relying on two rookies: Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns. General manager Dave Caldwell approved it based on Shorts getting good results from working with Sandell in the offseason and the fact that Shorts was going on his day off from team activities.
His therapist up there coordinates with our training staff here, Caldwell said. He feels like its really helped him. As long as it continues to help him and he continues to be on the field, were all for it.
The life of an NFL player is hectic enough during the season. Shorts schedule has gone to a whole other level.
I went up there after meetings on Monday, Shorts said. I flew there, got treatment then and the next day. Its difficult. Then you come right back, fly home Tuesday night, wake up in the morning and get ready to go here. Its worth it, though, because of the work he does.
Its not easy being in the league, trying to stay healthy.
Sandell was encouraged when he saw Shorts. Despite playing 61 snaps against Tennessee, Shorts had no pain in his legs.
He didnt even have tightness from the game, Sandell said. When he came back he didnt have any symptoms.
It was a welcomed result for Shorts, who had dealt with months of frustration.
I think when Cecil first got here initially, he felt like the wheels were coming off, Sandell said. His team was gracious enough to allow me to treat him. Now, hell make frequent trips during the season to have a checkup.
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Shorts value to the Jaguars now is evident. Bortles targeted him 16 times against the Titans. Offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch compared Shorts impact to that of Justin Blackmon...
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Had he missed half of a season, that would be a huge hit on that contract, Ginnitti said. Now, its been minor bang-ups. A couple games here and there. Hes not a liability in that regard.
Sandell says Shorts isnt subject to longevity issues as this point. He notes that some injuries, such as labrum tears, are issues that players sometimes never fully recover from.
All these injuries were non-contact, Sandell said. Unfortunately, he wasnt getting the answers he needed. There is no lack of dedication in Cecil. In my opinion, hes not at any risk for any longevity issues. Structurally, hes fantastic.
Sandell does think Shorts will need to slow down his intense training in the offseason.
Hes a guy you have to pull the reins back on, Sandell said. His work ethic is a big reason he went from D-III to the NFL. But he needs more rest and recovery days. That conversation will definitely happen with him after the season.
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