Trevor Lawrence will suit up and start for the Jaguars in the team's first preseason game of the year against the Kansas City Chiefs this Saturday, Aug. 10 at EverBank Stadium.
Demetrius HarveyJacksonville Florida Times-Union
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In a matter of days, the Jacksonville Jaguars will officially kick off the 2024 season with their first preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at EverBank Stadium.
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said Monday before the team's 11th camp practice that he intends to play the team's penciled-in starters for a "series or two" to get their feet wet as he's done in the past. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence will suit up for the first time since signing his record-setting $275 million contract extension.
From there, the team will get a chance to evaluate the rest of the roster.
"We want to look at everybody and so you have three quarters [of game time], maybe three and a half [quarters], to really get a good look at a lot of the young players and see what you have there," said Pederson. "Sometimes it doesn't work out that way, maybe guys play more special teams than they do offense [or] defense, but at the same time you still want to give everybody a chance to get in this game and play."
Nielsen Ratings: Nielsen plans to keep emotions out of player evaluations for the Jaguars
For Jacksonville, it will be the first opportunity for the team to showcase its new-look defense and re-energized offense thanks to new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen and the players acquired via free agency and the draft.
It will also give fans their first look at first-round pick, receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who has had a quiet, but productive training camp as the team gets him and the offense ramped up and ready to go for Week 1 of the regular season.
Trevor Lawrence to play Saturday vs. Chiefs despite offensive line injuries
The Jaguars have undergone a bit of attrition this summer to the team's offensive line. Three out of five of the team's starting line have missed time in camp, including left tackle Cam Robinson (shoulder), left guard Ezra Cleveland (heel) and right tackle Anton Harrison (concussion protocol).
Cleveland has not practiced since Saturday's stadium practice, while Harrison Harrison has been in concussion protocol since Wednesday, but is expected to return soon. Robinson has been limited but is working in a limited capacity.
Still, Pederson says the offensive line is in a good spot with Cleveland being the only question mark.
"Hopefully with Anton [Harrison] today and tomorrow, we’ll see where he's at. Hopefully, get him back out on the field on Wednesday sometime and get him ready to go," said Pederson. "Cam [Robinson] has been working some individual walkthroughs, get him going again coming up. Ezra [Cleveland], we’ll just have to see with him. I don't want to push him with his — I think it's his left heel. Just want to make sure that he's 100 percent."
While Pederson hasn't given a snap count for Trevor Lawrence and the starting offense, there is precedent to him playing a couple of drives during the first game.
Last season, Lawrence and much of the starting offense played 13 snaps, technically three drives. The first drive ended after two plays after Lawrence threw an interception. The team's starting offense punted on their second possession, receiving the ball back after a fumble recovery in punt coverage and scored on the third drive with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Lawrence to receiver Christian Kirk.
While the starting offense did not play in the team's Hall of Fame game preseason opener in 2022, they played three drives, including 25 total snaps for Lawrence in preseason Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns.
Arik Armstead continues to progress with knee injury, not expected to miss time in regular season
The Jaguars continue to wait on the return of their prized free agent acquisition, defensive lineman Arik Armstead.
Armstead has been held out of most of the team's offseason program and all of training camp thus far, working back from offseason knee surgery.
On Monday, Pederson reiterated what he's said previously about Armstead's recovery timeline, noting that the veteran is "close" to returning. Pederson also said he isn't concerned yet about his availability for Week 1 of the regular season.
“No, no, no. We’ve got plenty of time still," said Pederson.
Ventrell Miller should be "good to go" Saturday vs. Chiefs with hand injury
Jaguars linebacker Ventrell Miller was seen over the weekend sporting a club on his left hand. After missing Saturday's stadium practice, Miller returned to the practice field on Sunday, working in a limited capacity with an orange no-contact penny jersey.
Though he remained limited Monday, Pederson didn't appear concerned about his potential Saturday availability.
"He's got the hand [injury] right now. He'll be out there today. He'll be in an orange jersey. Try to limit some contact. Just don't want to bang that thing around but should be good to go for Saturday," said Pederson.
When and where will the Jaguars play the Kansas City Chiefs?
The Jaguars will host the Kansas City Chiefs this Saturday, Aug. 10 at EverBank Stadium for preseason Week 1 in 2024.
The game will kick off at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on NFL Network.
Demetrius Harvey istheJacksonville Jaguarsreporterfor the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter,at@Demetrius82.
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