It's starting to become expected in Jacksonville: Fred Taylor will suffer numerous injuries every year. Taylor strained his hamstring during a conditioning drill on Thursday and was not able to go at full speed to begin training camp. Taylor is already recovering from a serious knee injury from last season, and was hoping to get back into the offense as soon as possible.

"I really wanted to come out the first day and give the fans something to ooh and ah about," said Taylor. "It's kind of sad that the timing is so screwed up. That's why it's so hard to understand. Somethings in life you can't figure out why they happen. They just do. I don't know why it happened. I was rested and I felt great."

After conditioning Thursday, he could feel the problem with his hamstring.

"It was just one of those things that happened," Taylor said. "It's keeping me limited at this point. I'll gradually work myself into full speed."

Last year, backup Greg Jones saw significant playing time in place of Taylor. That is another reason that Taylor wanted to make a strong statement this preseason, before yet another injury.

"It's just the initial impression that I'm most disappointed about," Taylor said. "That's fine. I expected that. That's just another reason why I'm going to be smart with everything. It's not major, but you've got to be smart early on in camp, so coaches are limiting my reps, which is good. I just wish I could do more because of how hard I worked in the offseason."

Last year, Taylor almost suffered career lows, only running for 787 yards on 194 carries. Not only is Jones breathing down Taylor's neck, but so is rookie Maurice Drew, who was selected in the second round of this years draft. Drew could very well see significant playing time if Taylor's injuries continue. However, the Jaguars hope that Taylor will be fine.

"We'll bring him along, and it'll be fine," said Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio. "From where we've been the last few years, where he's had a knee rehab and all the different things he's had to deal with, he's coming in fresh and in great shape. A mild strain will pass in a few days and we'll be ready to roll."

"I look at what he's battled though, and to me, I think you commend guys that push and fight and accomplish all that he's accomplished despite having 11 guys attacking him every down," he said. "It's a hard position. A lot of guys get banged up, a lot of guys miss time. He's missed less than most. He's really been pretty extraordinary in the fact that he's been able to remain such an explosive weapon for us despite getting nicks and having some tough things to fight through."