JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (July 15, 2005) -- The Jacksonville Jaguars are close to completing a trade for disgruntled Buffalo Bills running back Travis Henry, a move that would provide insurance for injured starter Fred Taylor.
Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said a deal for Henry could be completed "in the next few days or week." Henry demanded a trade after losing his starting job last season to Willis McGahee.
"The fact that we have an opportunity to acquire a running back of this kind of talent is something we have to look at so we're looking at it," Del Rio told the team's web site. "This may or may not happen, but we're protecting our interests, and any time we think we can acquire somebody who can help us, we're going to do that."
Taylor, who underwent knee surgery in January, will be limited when training camp opens July 29.
Del Rio said Taylor will practice just once a day in shorts for at least the first week of camp. Taylor will be held out of an intrasquad scrimmage Aug. 5, but Del Rio hopes Taylor can practice in pads the week leading up to the preseason opener against Miami on Aug. 13.
"We'll monitor him during that first week," Del Rio said. "We want to see his strength continue to improve."
Taylor has been sidelined all offseason after the surgery to repair two partially torn ligaments in his left knee. He was hurt Dec. 19 against Green Bay and missed the final two games of the season.
Henry, who ran for 3,849 yards and 27 touchdowns in four seasons with the Bills, had a career-low 326 yards rushing last year.
The Jaguars, Tennessee and Seattle have shown interest in Henry. The deal has been delayed because the Bills want at least a third-round pick and Jaguars want to sign Henry to a contract extension. He is in the final year of his current contract.
"The thing that makes Henry attractive is he's proved he can do it," Del Rio said.
