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According to Florida Times-Union staff writer Bart Hubbuch, Byron Leftwich threw a scare into the Jaguars when he hurt his right hand during an 11-on-11 drill Sunday morning.

X-rays showed only a hyperextension of two fingers, although the Jaguars' second-year starter was wincing in considerable pain and left practice with his hand heavily bandaged and supported by trainer Mike Ryan.

"We think he's going to be all right," head coach Jack Del Rio said. "I don't think it's anything major."

Leftwich was hurt when he accidentally hit his passing hand on the helmet of defensive tackle Marcus Stroud toward the end of Sunday's workout, which was the last practice of a mandatory weekend mini-camp at Alltel Stadium.

Hubbuch further noted the injury was the only down note of the weekend for Leftwich, whose play was described as one of the high points of the entire mini-camp by Del Rio.

Leftwich, who started the final 13 games as a rookie last season, also is in what he describes as the best physical condition of his career. Although Leftwich remains at 245 pounds, his upper body is much leaner and more defined.

"Byron was very, very sharp," Del Rio said. ...

Also in Jacksonville. ...

Following up on a previous update. ... Also according to Hubbuch, Jimmy Smith claims to be faster after trimming down to 197 pounds, and the Jaguars' veteran wide receiver proved it with two highlight-reel plays against new cornerback Juran Bolden.

Smith twice beat Bolden in single coverage on touchdown catches of more than 40 yards during Sunday's practice. Bolden, a veteran signed away from Atlanta in the offseason, is known for his speed but was no match for the 35-year-old Smith over the weekend.

"Jimmy looks really quick," Del Rio said. "He's a full step faster than he was last year, if not more than that. ..."

And following up on yet another update. ... Del Rio said the Jaguars would like to use 250-pound rookie running back Greg Jones from Florida State much like Tampa Bay uses Mike Alstott.

Meaning Jones will be asked to serve as versatile threat capable of playing tailback, fullback and receiver.

"Considering [Alstott] always goes to the Pro Bowl, that sounds good to me," Jones said. ...

And finally in J-ville this week. ...

The team's three-way place-kicking competition got off to a slow start Saturday morning. Not only is incumbent kicker Seth Marler being held out of this weekend's mini-camp because of a quadriceps strain, but former 49er Jeff Chandler and rookie fifth-round pick Josh Scobee combined to miss four of their eight field-goal tries in the morning practice.

Chandler missed attempts from 38 and 48 yards. Scobee, taken by the Jaguars with the 137th overall pick out of Louisiana Tech, was wide on a 48-yard try. He also missed a 43-yard attempt, although a bad snap didn't help.

Scobee made attempts from 38 and 48 yards; Chandler was good from 43 and 48 yards.

According to the Sports Xchange, Marler, who missed 13 of 33 field goal attempts last year giving Jacksonville the lowest field goal percentage (61 percent) in the league, isn't off to a good start with new special teams coach Pete Rodriguez.

Some reports indicate Marler's sore leg is a byproduct of showing up for the offseason program out of kicking shape. Rodriguez doesn't disagree with those assessments.

"That sometimes happens to kickers," Rodriguez said. "They think they can take the year off once the season is over. I tried to tell him you don't see a golfer put his club away for three or four months and then come back and expect to be competitive, especially after you kick 61 percent."

When he was asked if Marler got off on his bad side, he said, "You could say that."

However, Del Rio said Marler's absence this weekend would not hurt his chances of beating out Chandler and Scobee.

"It's far too early to talk about [absences being a factor]," Del Rio said. "He'll feel better soon and join the competition."