On Wednesday, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan reiterated the team's stance that running back Maurice Jones-Drew will not get a new contract and will be expected to honor the final two seasons on his current deal.
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Jaguars rookies and veterans are scheduled to report to EverBank Field on Thursday for the start of training camp. Jones-Drew, however, will not be there, a source with knowledge of the situation told NFL.com and NFL Network reporter Steve Wyche.
Wyche reports Jones-Drew could be fined $30,000 per day for each day he misses. He also has accumulated $60,000 in fines for missing a mandatory minicamp this summer. The Jaguars have not disclosed whether they'll pursue those fines.
The story was first reported by ESPN.
With Jones-Drew earning a maximum of $9.65 million over the next two seasons, and running backs who produced fewer than his 1,606 yards from last season signing contracts averaging between $7 million and $9 million per season with between $18 million and $24 million in guaranteed money this offseason, his absence from the start of camp does not come as a surprise.
The three-time Pro Bowl selection skipped Jaguars offseason workout program, including the mandatory minicamp, in protest of his current contract. Former teammate Fred Taylor, who worked out with Jones-Drew this offseason, said he expected the NFL's reigning rushing champ to hold out at the start of training camp and possibly longer.
With Jones-Drew holding firm, the question now is whether or not the Jaguars, who have the most salary-cap space in the NFL (around $25 million), blink first on the contract issue -- it's hard to argue that Jones-Drew is not underpaid -- or threaten to fine Jones-Drew the $30,000 per day for not showing up to training camp.
