Del Rio Calls Out John Henderson

Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio isn’t happy with defensive tackle John Henderson. We know this because Del Rio has said so. Henderson sustained a shoulder injury during Monday’s OTA session, and Henderson sat out the rest of the session. He also skipped Tuesday’s practice. “John’s got a shoulder [injury] that back when I played and even prior to that, I don’t think anybody would’ve missed a snap for it,” Del Rio said, per FirstCoastNews.com. “I think it’s a minor bruise of sorts. I would think that [Vince] Lombardi is probably rolling over right now. It’s not something that should keep anybody out of work. But he feels like he can’t, so we’ll let him wait until he can. . . . “It’s disappointing to see him pull himself out, quite frankly. . . . It’s embarrassing for me to even be talking about it.” Del Rio’s comments illustrate multiple potential problems, both arising under Article XXXV, Section 5(a) of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. First, Section 5(a) states that "[n]o Club official shall indicate to a player that the Club’s off-season workout program or classroom instruction is not voluntary.” Del Rio’s comments fairly can be interpreted as an indication that the Jaguars’ Organized Team Activities are not voluntary. Second, Section 5(a) says that contact is not permitted. So how did Henderson injure his shoulder in non-contact drills? And why would he be reluctant to fight through it, unless he could expect more contact? Here’s the reality. Back when Del Rio played and even prior to that, guys weren’t playing full-contact football in helmets and underwear in June. The union typically has looked the other way on the “voluntary” nature of the offseason workouts and the reality of contact during the drills, primarily because the offseason sessions reduce the intensity of training camp. But with a CBA battle looming, the union might decide to take a stand, especially since Del Rio has given new Executive Director De Smith a smoking gun, in two separate respects.