JACKSONVILLE – Mike Glennon's confident.
It was that way when he took over as starting quarterback last month. With Jaguars coaches committed to the eight-year veteran for Sunday, that hasn't changed.
"I felt comfortable both weeks and I feel comfortable again this week," Glennon said.
Glennon and the quarterback position remain a focus for the Jaguars (1-11), who will play host to the Tennessee Titans (8-4) at TIAA Bank Field Sunday at 1 p.m.
That's in part because Gardner Minshew II, the starting quarterback in Games 1-7, was active this past Sunday after missing four games with a thumb injury. Minshew backed up Glennon in a loss to Minnesota, making news this week when he told ESPN he begged Head Coach Doug Marrone to play him before a 27-25 loss to Cleveland two weeks ago.
Marrone named Glennon the starter against Tennessee immediately after the Minnesota loss, saying during his weekly videoconference Wednesday that Minshew's workload in practice remains a factor. Jaguars Offensive Coordinator Jay Gruden also discussed Minshew's practice repetitions.
"His workload is between him and the trainer and his personal masseuse or whoever the heck he talks to; I don't know," Gruden said. "I know quarterbacks have to throw the ball to get better. That's the only way to get better – by repetition and throwing the football to your guys, different cuts – over and over again.
"If you're not able to do that, then it's hard to show the team we should have confidence in you making it happen on game day. Gardner's got to get his arm right with the trainer. He has to continue to progress and throw a lot of balls in practice for us to see he's ready to go."
Gruden said it is Marrone's decision on whether to return to Minshew as a starter, adding "We have high hopes that Mike Glennon will play well, and it won't be an issue. That's No. 1."
Gruden was asked how Minshew looked in practice now compared to before the injury.
"We're trying to cater to Mike Glennon right now, but also keep a close eye on Gardner – where he is," Gruden said. "To me, his arm looks fine. I don't see any difference from now to what it was in training camp. But that's between he and the doctors and the trainers. I didn't see any difference when he had the hurt thumb, either. Only Gardner can tell you how his arm's feeling and then obviously only Coach Marrone can make that decision to go back to Gardner if he sees fit."
Glennon, whose last start before the past two weeks came in 2017 for the Chicago Bears, threw two touchdowns with no interception in his first Jaguars start – a 27-25 loss to Cleveland. He followed that with two interceptions and a touchdown in a 27-24 overtime loss to Minnesota Sunday.
"I still think even though we lost the game and had some plays, there were still a lot of really good throws out there," Glennon said. "There's always going to be stuff to build on, but I feel confident in myself in both games."
Glennon is the Jaguars' third starting quarterback this season. Minshew threw 13 touchdowns and five interceptions during his time as a starter with rookie Jake Luton throwing two interceptions and six interceptions while starting Games 8-10.
"It's hard," Gruden said. "Consistency at that position is really important. It's critical. To have success, you have to have consistency at that position. Talking to one guy, speaking the same language, catering to their strengths. When you're changing week in and week out, it's hard to get a gauge on what they like, what they're comfortable with. That's the most difficult thing.
"We're dealing with three great kids, guys that want to be great. They work extremely hard. But as a play-caller, getting to know what they like and them getting to know me a little bit, that's the biggest challenge we have. This will be the third week with Mike. Hopefully, I'm starting to get in his head a little bit and he understands where we're going and what he likes. Hopefully, it will beneficial."
NOTABLE I
Starting running back James Robinson practiced limited Wednesday with a knee injury, but Marrone said he expects the rookie to play Sunday. "He'll be full go," Marrone said. "He's ready to go. I'm not concerned about him." Six other Jaguars players practiced limited Wednesday: Linebackers Dakota Allen (hamstring) and Kamalei Correa (hamstring), running back Nathan Cottrell (knee), cornerback Sidney Jones IV (Achilles), cornerback Greg Mabin (hamstring) and wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (thumb). Center Brandon Linder (ankle) missed practice and tight end Tyler Eifert missed practice with a shoulder issue and for a scheduled day off.
