JACKSONVILLE, FLA. ? Four weeks ago, Kevin Lockett was a starting wide receiver for the Washington Redskins.

One key fumble, a couple of dropped passes and few more miscues later, he finds himself lining up against the Redskins, who play the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

“That’s just the nature of the business,” Lockett said.

The sixth-year player from Kansas State was one of Steve Spurrier’s more promising receivers early in the year. He caught 11 passes and two touchdowns in the first six games for Washington and looked like a sure bet to stick around.

But quarterbacks aren’t the only players Spurrier has a knack for benching. Lockett said his one-way trip into Spurrier’s doghouse culminated with his key fumble in the fourth quarter of a 30-9 loss to Green Bay on Oct. 20.

The Redskins were trailing 17-9 when Lockett coughed it up after a reception. Green Bay scored a field goal off the turnover en route to a runaway victory. As it turned out, that was the last catch Lockett made with Washington.

Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin said he has debriefed Lockett on the Washington playbook. Spurrier isn’t too concerned.

“I don’t know how much stuff he can give them when we just hand off around right end,” Spurrier said, a reference to Washington’s struggles in the passing game.

Lockett holds no grudge against Spurrier.

“That’s how all coaches coach,” he said.

And besides, Lockett now gets the ultimate chance to prove the Redskins made a mistake.

“Everyone wants to have a good game against a team you used to play for,” he said.