JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio is hoping to receive more production from John Henderson next season.
Del Rio already is disappointed.
Henderson pulled himself out of drills Monday because of an injury, and Del Rio expressed frustration with the two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle.
"Yeah, it's disappointing to see him pull himself out, quite frankly," Del Rio said Tuesday. "What he does, that's up to him. But we have a team out here that's working hard, that's committed, and I'm not going to slow down and worry about somebody that's trying to get out of a drill."
Del Rio said Henderson had a bruised shoulder, but the coach questioned whether it was bad enough to keep the 6-foot-7, 335-pounder out of organized team activities.
"Back when I played, and even prior to that, I don't think anybody would have had to miss a snap for it," said Del Rio, who played 11 seasons in the NFL as a linebacker. "I think it's a minor bruise of sorts. I would think (late Hall of Fame coach) Vince Lombardi is probably rolling over right now. It's not something that should keep anybody out of work. But John feels like he can't go, so we'll let him wait until he can."
Henderson, who spent Tuesday's practice running and working out on the side, had 44 tackles and two sacks last season. It was one of the worst seasons in his seven-year NFL career.
The Jaguars drafted 321-pound defensive tackle Terrance Knighton in the third round of April's draft in the hopes of surrounding Henderson with more talent. However, Del Rio made it clear that Henderson needs to play better for the team to make any defensive improvement in 2009.
