JACKSONVILLE – Two quarterbacks worked with the first team.
That was the major news at EverBank Field Thursday, a night when the Jaguars lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 12-8, in front of 56,266 fans in the second game of the 2017 preseason.
The loss moved the Jaguars to 1-1 for the preseason, but that record – like any statistic or other event at the 'Bank Thursday – was overshadowed by news at the Jaguars' quarterback position.
Blake Bortles, the team's starting quarterback since 2014, started the game and played four series; Chad Henne, Bortles' backup since the fourth game of '14, played two series with the starters. Henne entered the game for Bortles on the final series of the first half.
Bortles completed eight of 13 passes for 65 yards and no touchdowns with no interceptions Thursday; Henne completed six of 10 passes for 44 yards and no touchdowns with no interceptions.
Third-team quarterback Brandon Allen finished the game for the Jaguars, completing 10 of 15 passes for 144 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. Rookie wide receiver Dede Westbrook caught six fourth-quarter passes from Allen for 131 yards.
Allen led a late rally with reserves playing for both teams, throwing a touchdown pass to fullback Marquez Williams early in the fourth quarter then leading a late drive that ended with an incomplete pass into the end zone to wide receiver Rashad Greene on fourth-and-goal from the Buccaneers 2 with 1:25 remaining.
The game was a struggle for the Jaguars early offensively and defensively, with the first-team offense rushing for no yards on four carries on the first three possessions. Tampa Bay outgained Jacksonville 240-59 in the first half with 16 first downs to the Jaguars' four.
Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston completed 21 of 29 first-half passes for 196 yards and no touchdowns with no interceptions.
Step by step:
*After a quick early Jaguars punt, the Buccaneers drove for two-yard touchdown run by running back Doug Martin with 5:47 remaining in the first quarter. The Bucs ran for 19 yards on the drive and Winston converted two first downs with third -down completions. Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell blocked the conversion, and Buccaneers kicker Nick Folk's 35-yard field goal on the Bucs' next drive made it 9-0 early in the second quarter. The Buccaneers held a 136-21 total-yardage advantage after one quarter. …
*The Buccaneers continued to control momentum in the second quarter, and by the end of their third drive they had 187 yards offense. They also held a 12-0 lead after Folk's 29-yard field goal with 7:30 remaining in the half. …
*A 31-yard punt return by rookie Keelan Cole gave the Jaguars momentum and a first down at the Buccaneers 23 late in the second quarter. Henne entered the game for Bortles at that point, throwing well-thrown passes into the end zone that were dropped by Cole and veteran Allen Robinson. Jaguars kicker Jason Myers missed from 40 yards – his third missed field goal in two preseason games. …
*The teams were scoreless in the third quarter, with the Jaguars' first-team offense remaining in the game with Henne at quarterback. Safety Jarrod Wilson's end zone interception off Buccaneers backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick ended Tampa Bay's best third-quarter drive.
*The Jaguars cut the lead to 12-6 with a four-yard touchdown pass from Allen to Williams with 7:58 remaining in the fourth quarter. Myers' point after missed wide right to keep the Buccaneers' lead at six.
*The Jaguars' best chance to take the lead ended with Allen's fourth-down incomplete pass to Greene. Former Jaguars punter Bryan Anger took an intentional safety with :36 remaining, then the Jaguars took possession at their 35 with :25 remaining after a free kick by Anger. A 30-yard pass from Allen to Westbrook took the Jaguars to the Buccaneers 35. Allen's last-play pass into the end zone from the Buccaneers 33 was incomplete.
Injury report: Jaguars running back T.J. Yeldon sustained a first-quarter hamstring injury and cornerback Charles Gaines sustained a right eye injury in the second half. … Out for the Jaguars Thursday were: cornerbacks A.J. Bouye, Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Colvin, wide receiver Marqise Lee, running back Leonard Fournette, cornerback Tracy Howard, offensive lineman Earl Watford, tight end Mychal Rivera and defensive tackle Michael Bennett. Colvin remains on the PUP list, with Bouye missing practice Tuesday with an undisclosed injured.
Notable: Chris Ivory started for the Jaguars at running back, with Allen Hurns starting at wide receiver for Lee. Tyler Patmon and Brian Dixon started for Ramsey and Bouye, respectively. … Gaines played the nickel corner early. … Cole and reserve Shane Wynn both got repetitions with the first team at receiver early. … Jaguars starting offensive line Thursday: left tackle Cam Robinson, left guard Patrick Omameh, center Brandon Linder, right guard A.J. Cann and right tackle Jermey Parnell. …
What's next: The Jaguars play host to the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Field in the third game of the 2017 preseason Thursday.
