TAMPA – The list was as long and inclusive.
Thirty-four Jaguars players were ruled out of the 2018 preseason finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Thursday, a list that included every projected starter and most front-line players.
Jaguars starting quarterback Blake Bortles was among 18 offensive players ruled out, a list that also included running backs Leonard Fournette, T.J. Yeldon and Corey Grant, wide receivers Donte Moncrief, Dede Westbrook, Keelan Cole, D.J. Chark Jr. and Jaydon Mickens, tight ends Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Niles Paul and James O'Shaughnessy, left tackle Cam Robinson, right tackle Jermey Parnell, right guard A.J. Cann, left guard Andrew Norwell, center Brandon Linder and guard/center Tyler Shatley.
Sixteen defensive players were ruled out: defensive ends Calais Campbell, Yannick Ngakoue and Lerentee McCray, defensive tackles Abry Jones, Marcell Dareus and Malik Jackson, outside linebackers Leon Jacobs and Telvin Smith, middle linebacker Myles Jack, cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey, A.J. Bouye, Tyler Patmon and D.J. Hayden and safeties Ronnie Harrison, Barry Church and Tashaun Gipson.
Backup quarterback Cody Kessler is expected to start for Bortles, and defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. also is expected to play. Fowler will miss the Jaguars' regular-season opener against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., September 9 while serving a one-game NFL suspension.
Defensive lineman Taven Bryan, the Jaguars' first-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, also is expected to play. He made his preseason debut against the Atlanta Falcons last Saturday after missing the first two preseason games with an abdominal issue.
