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Jaguars defensive back Shaquill Griffin celebrates his first quarter fumble recovery during an Aug. 12, 2022 preseason game against the Cleveland Browns.| Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
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Jaguars defensive back Shaquill Griffin celebrates his first quarter fumble recovery during an Aug. 12, 2022 preseason game against the Cleveland Browns.| Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

PHOTO ESSAY | Jaguars show flashes in preseason loss to Cleveland

Published on August 14, 2022 at 8:04 pm

The Jaguars lost their second straight preseason game on Friday night, falling 24-13 to Cleveland.

Jacksonville led 13-0, however, when both teams pulled their starters in the second quarter, which Jags coach Doug Pedersen called an encouraging sign.

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The Jaguars celebrate their only offensive touchdown during the 24-13 preseason loss to the Cleveland Browns. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

Pederson said, “We did get a couple of field goals early, which was good, and then ultimately the touchdown there in the second quarter. That’s something that we consciously make an effort to do, and that’s score early.”

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence finished 6 of 12 for 95 yards and a touchdown on the three possessions he led the team. Running back Travis Etienne Jr., a first-round draft pick, led the Jaguars with nine carries in his first game action since sustaining a foot injury in the 2021 preseason.

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16). | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

Jacksonville held Cleveland’s first team offense to no first downs on three possessions. Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is likely going to be suspended for at least six games this season because of sexual misconduct, completed only one of his five pass attempts.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson made his preseason debut on Friday. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

Friday was the first time linebacker Travon Walker (44), the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, played in front of the home crowd. When Walker was not in the game, he shadowed 4-year veteran lineman Josh Allen (41).

Jaguars linebacker and Orange Park resident Shaquille Quarterman (50) was one of three players on the field with Northeast Florida ties. Browns wide receiver Javon Wims (16) is a Jacksonville native, and linebacker Willie Harvey hails from Hastings.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Javon Wims celebrates his team’s second quarter touchdown during the Aug. 12 preseason game. Wims is a Jacksonville native who graduated from Ed White High School. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

Before and during the game, the Jaguars leaned into the team’s connections with Northeast Florida youth and high school football programs by welcoming players onto the field.

The Jaguars welcome youth and high school football programs from across Northeast Florida onto TIAA Bank Field before and during their Aug. 12 preseason contest against Cleveland. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

Jacksonville will host Pittsburgh in their third preseason game on Saturday night.


author image Reporter email Will Brown is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms. He previously reported for the Jacksonville Business Journal. And before that, he spent more than a decade as a sports reporter at The St. Augustine Record, Victoria (Texas) Advocate and the Tallahassee Democrat. Reach him at will@jaxtoday.org.

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