JACKSONVILLE – Blaine Gabbert will start in Week 2 of the preseason.
Gabbert, competing with Chad Henne for the Jaguars' starting quarterback position, will start a second consecutive preseason game, with Head Coach Gus Bradley saying Thursday the third-year veteran will start against the New York Jets on Saturday.
Gabbert started against the Miami Dolphins in Preseason Week 1.
"Both will get ample time with the first group," Bradley said Thursday after the Jaguars' two-hour walkthrough practice in 88 degree temperatures at the Florida Blue practice fields adjacent to EverBank Field.
Bradley said starting Gabbert does not mean Gabbert will necessarily start the regular-season opener.
"This isn't any determining factor," Bradley said.
Bradley said Henne will work with the first-team offensive line in similar fashion to what he did last week against Miami.
"We don't talk to our guys about how many reps or how far (into the game they will play), but we do have it set up so our (first-team) offensive line will go quite a while – the receivers, too," Bradley said. "We want to give them ample opportunity to both get playing time with them."
Gabbert played the first quarter against the Dolphins, taking 17 snaps and playing four series. He completed 5 of 10 passes for 19 yards with an interception.
Henne, a sixth-year veteran, played the second quarter, leading the Jaguars to their lone scoring drive – a drive that ended with a field goal – and taking 22 snaps. Henne completed 8 of 11 passes for 87 yards.
Gabbert also had three passes dropped, and was under pressure on his first incompletion. Henne had two passes batted at the line of scrimmage.
The Jaguars want to continue to get an extensive look at each quarterback, and Bradley said the competition remains open.
Bradley said a primary reason for starting Gabbert was that Gabbert started only 10 games, and the coaches wanted to see him in game action.
"To us, it makes sense in the evaluation process," he said.
Bradley said he spoke to Henne about the decision.
"I did want to talk to him," Bradley said. "I felt like he knew where we were coming from, but out of respect, I wanted to share with him the situation. He was outstanding. He understands the evaluation process and what we're trying to do."
Bradley on Thursday also confirmed that wide receiver Cecil Shorts III (calf strain) and right tackle Luke Joeckel (hip flexor) will miss Saturday's game. Shorts missed the preseason opener and Joeckel has been out of practice since that game.
Defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks missed Thursday's practice with a veterans day off.
Running back Maurice Jones-Drew will play Saturday, Bradley said, with rookie free agent LaRoy Reynolds likely to start at outside linebacker in place of Allen (ankle).
INJURY WATCH
Bradley also said the following players will not play Saturday: Running back Justin Forsett (toe), cornerback Jeremy Harris (back), defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick (groin), tight end Isaiah Stanback (quadriceps) and Allen.
PLAY OF THE DAY
The Jaguars held a walkthrough practice Thursday.
