JACKSONVILLE – Sunday's starting quarterback? To be determined.
Mike Glennon and Gardner Minshew II will both take starting quarterback repetitions for the Jaguars in practice this week, with Head Coach Doug Marrone saying Wednesday he will decide later in the week which player will start against the Chicago Bears Sunday.
"We're going to split the reps and see how practice goes," Marrone said Wednesday as the Jaguars (1-13) prepared to play the Bears (7-7) at TIAA Bank Field Sunday at 1 p.m.
Marrone said the Jaguars are taking the approach with multiple positions this week.
"We're looking at some other players and saying, 'Hey, whoever has the best week of practice – to try to make sure we get the right guy out there to do the game plans we need to to win,''' Marrone said. "We have a competition going on and we'll see who does well."
Marrone said Thursday will be a key practice day to determine the starter, with Wednesday's practice being largely walkthroughs.
"Tomorrow will be a big evaluation, and Saturday will be an evaluation," Marrone said.
Minshew, a second-year veteran who started Games 1-7 before reporting a thumb injury and missing the next six games, completed 22 of 29 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions in his first start since Week 7 last week. But Minshew threw for just 53 first-half yards in that 40-14 loss to Baltimore, with the Jaguars trailing 26-0 at halftime.
Minshew has thrown 16 touchdowns and five interceptions in eight starts this season.
Glennon, an eight-year veteran, started Games 11-13 and threw three touchdowns passes with three interceptions. Minshew replaced him in the third quarter of a 31-10 loss to Tennessee the week before the loss to Baltimore.
"I want to see which one can execute the game plan better during the week to feel he gives us the best opportunity," Marrone said. "When I look at both of them, there are pluses and minuses with both. I'm trying to get who has the best week and gives me the best odds of playing the best on Sunday."
NOTABLE I
Marrone discussed rookie James Robinson and linebacker Myles Jack not being selected to the AFC Pro Bowl teams despite both players having strong seasons. Robinson, a rookie undrafted free agent, has rushed for 1,070 yards and seven touchdowns and has 10 total touchdowns this season. Jack has registered 105 tackles this season with a sack, six tackles for losses, two quarterback hits, an interception, four passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Marrone said the Jaguars' record likely hurt the players' chances for postseason accolades. "It's unfortunate, because statistically they've earned that right," Marrone said. "I thought those two players were deserving of that honor."
NOTABLE II
Marrone said Robinson will be rested in practice Wednesday after sustaining an ankle injury last week; Marrone said Robinson wants to play Sunday and that he likely will play. "We're going to rest him today and come back tomorrow and do some stuff with him [in practice]," Marrone said. "He wants to practice, but that's a coach's decision. He wants to play, so we'll get him out there on Thursday and see how he runs around. I feel good talking to him that he's going to play." Marrone said he believes it will be difficult for cornerback Sidney Jones IV to play Sunday; Jones has missed four of the last five games with an Achilles injury. Marrone also said it will be difficult for rookie wide receiver Collin Johnson to play Sunday after sustaining a hamstring injury Sunday.
