Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) looks up at a video screen during the preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Jacksonville. The Jaguars defeated the Buccaneers, 20-7. | AP Photo/Gary McCullough
Published on August 18, 2024 at 4:25 pm
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The Jaguars ended a preseason game ahead on the scoreboard for the second straight week. While the Jaguars’ preseason record is now 2-0, it is important to put every preseason game into context. Here’s what we learned from the Jaguars’ 20-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
1. It appears that Mac Jones will be the backup quarterback. In addition to the fact that Jones has played well in two preseason games, the former Bolles QB returned to the game Saturday after CJ Beathard left with a groin injury. Jones finished with 210 yards passing and two touchdowns, completing 16 of 23 attempts. Assuming the Jaguars will carry three quarterbacks on the active roster, Beathard‘s health becomes a big question. Jacksonville currently does not have another option at quarterback and would have to bring in a player to learn the offense if Beathard’s injury is going to be an issue for any length of time.
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2. The offensive line still needs work. Granted, left tackle Cam Robinson, center Mitch Morse, and right guard Brandon Sherff did not play in the game. Buccaneers’ linebacker Jose Ramirez finished the game with three sacks and Jaguars’ quarterbacks were sacked a total of five times. That’s not what the Jaguars want to see in the regular season. The Jaguars did run the ball more in the game, 38 attempts for 140 yards. Not bad, but a 3.7 yards-per-carry average needs to improve. We haven’t seen the starting five play a snap together in the preseason. Perhaps we will on Friday.
The third preseason game, Friday in Atlanta against the Falcons, will be the best representation of the Jaguars moving forward. Considering the Jaguars did not play 20 players who figure to be starters or key reserves in the game against Tampa Bay, we should get our best look of the preseason for players like Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis, Evan Engram and others against the Falcons. Defensive lineman Arik Armstead, perhaps the Jaguars’ biggest offseason addition, is also expected to make his preseason debut. We have not seen in either of the first two preseason games the Jaguars’ full defensive package. New defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen won’t unveil all of the bells and whistles until the regular season. But we could get a bit of a clearer picture of how the Jaguars will approach things from the defensive side against Atlanta.
Final roster cuts are due by Tuesday, Aug. 27. There will certainly be players competing for a job in the final week of the preseason. Then, it’s the regular season and the Jaguars’ journey to return to the playoffs.
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Aside from Beathard, the Jaguars have avoided serious injuries to key players this preseason. Armstead is recovering from an injury from last year. Right tackle Anton Harrison returned from concussion protocols to start against the Buccaneers. While the final preseason game serves as an important tuneup, avoiding key injuries is as important a task for the next few days. If the Jaguars are to return to the playoffs, health will be a major factor.
Cole Pepper has covered sports in Jacksonville since 1996, most recently for News4Jax. He is currently broadcast director for Sporting Club Jacksonville and has called play-by-play for a number of teams, including the Suns, Tomcats, Jacksonville University, Sharks and The Bolles School football. He also served as the studio host for the Jaguars Radio Network.
