National Football League

JAGUARS NOTEBOOK;Players look to Monday stage

Published Oct. 19, 2010 10:12 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Jaguars play their first Monday night game since 2008 and are relishing the chance to take the big stage against the Tennessee Titans.

"It's going to be a game that a lot of people are going to see," guard Uche Nwaneri said. "It's a chance for the teams that are playing to send a message out [about] what their team's about and introduce themselves to the masses. That's big for us because a lot of people don't really know what's going on down here."

Receiver Mike Sims-Walker said that, during a recent Monday night broadcast, a graphic of the Cowboys' next four opponents was displayed. Dallas plays the Giants twice, the Packers and the Jaguars in the next four weeks.

"He named all three teams, but he didn't name us," Sims-Walker said. "I was like, wow, they're just skipping over us like we're nobody. ... We don't get that much exposure. When you do get it, you want to show the world the Jaguars are here to play. We're not just a team you can just skip over."

The Jaguars have five second-year players and rookie Tyson Alualu starting - none of whom have played in a Monday night game.

Several other significant contributors and even some veterans, like safety Gerald Alexander, haven't played in a Monday night game, either.

Tight end Marcedes Lewis said his message to some of the younger players is to just relax.

"There's gonna be more cameras out there, more lights flashing," Lewis said. "Cameras hanging from the field. That's what we've been born to do. We still have to perform. It's what you do between those lines that matters the most."

TICKET UPDATE

The Jaguars had 2,470 tickets left to sell as of Wednesday afternoon to avoid a local blackout for Monday night's game.

Jacksonville has yet to have a home game blacked out this season.

The deadline for selling out all non-premium seats is 72 hours before kickoff. This week that means 8:30 p.m. Friday.

INJURY UPDATE

Linebacker Justin Durant threw his arms in the air and made an announcement Wednesday in the locker room.

"I'm back," he said.

Durant said he went through the entire light workout and was able to cut on his ankle.

He suffered a left high ankle sprain against the San Diego Chargers and missed the next three games.

"Got through the whole thing," Durant said. "I felt really good."

Guard Justin Smiley, who has a foot injury, and linebacker Jacob Cutrera were on the stationary bikes during practice.

JACK'S PACK PROGRAM

Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio and his wife, Linda, hosted a group dinner for children involved in his Jack's Pack program Wednesday night.

The program is coordinated by Del Rio and his foundation and includes children with parents in the military.

The program includes a series of events with the same group of children throughout the season.

On Wednesday night, Del Rio and his wife hosted a dinner at Maggiano's in the St. John's Town Center, followed by a trip to Barnes & Noble, where Del Rio provided each child with a gift certificate to spend. The group's first event was in September, when the children were treated to a pizza party and tour of the stadium.

tania.ganguli@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4401