By Hays Carlyon
Logic finally won the day at TIAA Bank Field.
Jaguars coach Urban Meyer finally declared the obvious on Wednesday. Top-overall pick Trevor Lawrence is the Jaguars starting quarterback.
The former Clemson phenom will start Sunday’spreseason finale at Dallas and, most importantly, will be the starter when the Jaguars open the season at Houston on Sept. 12.
Meyer admitted Lawrence needs the reps as the offense has struggled in preseason games while Lawrence and Gardner Minshew rotated snaps with the first-team offense.
Meyer is hopeful Lawrence taking a much larger percentage of the snaps in Thursday and Friday’s practice will lead to more rhythm in the preseason finale. He is concerned that the offense has yet to find a groove in losses to Cleveland and New Orleans. Meyer said he needs to see the starting offense score points.
Other Meyer takeaways:
-He described rookie running back Travis Etienne’s season-ending foot injury as “a shot in the jaw.” Meyer said Etienne was really coming on in practice.
-Meyer says the team is really high on rookie cornerback Tyson Campbell, despite getting outplayed on two touchdown catches this preseason.
-Meyer said he expects the starting offensive line to be ready for the regular-season opener. Center Brandon Linder, left guard Andrew Norwell and left tackle Cam Robinson didn’t play against the Saints.
-Outside linebacker Josh Allen might not be off the COVID-19 list to play Sunday in Dallas.
-Meyer said a few players are “game ready” meaning there isn’t much else he needs to see from them in preseason work. He named inside linebacker Myles Jack, safety Rayshawn Jenkins and receiver Marvin Jones. Meyer also complimented the defensive line for stuffing the run again.
-Meyer was disappointed about the kicking game, which could indicate kicker Josh Lambo’s job security could get challenged.
(You can email Hays at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @HaysCarlyon)
