Jaguars to play Trevor Lawrence, starters in preseason opener against Cowboys

The Jacksonville Jaguars plan to start the preseason how they’ll start the regular season, according to head coach Doug Pederson. That means the Jaguars will be starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence, even though the Cowboys probably won’t start Dak Prescott.

Even though Lawerence will get the start, Pederson noted it will likely be for just a “series or two.”

“I’m a big believer in the starters playing,” Pederson said on Monday. “I really feel like they need to feel that energy that comes with starting a football game. I did it last year with the guys and I anticipate right now him getting maybe a series or two this weekend.”

In his second season in the league last year, Lawrence helped the Jaguars break their playoff drought, and then some. The former Clemson Tiger threw for 4,113 yards with 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions on 66.3% passing. His performance earned him the first Pro Bowl appearance of his career.

Jaguars fans will undoubtedly be itching to see what their quarterback can create with Calvin Ridley. The electric wide receiver is ready to hit the field after more than a year away. The Jacksonville coaching staff has had to limit Ridley in practice because he only knows one speed, according to Lawrence.

“I mean every play, every route that he’s in, it’s full speed,” Lawrence said. “There’s no plays that he takes off, he wants the ball every play, and he just goes about things the right way, he wants to earn what he’s going to get, and he’s doing that right now. I’m just happy he’s on our team.”

The Jaguars and the Cowboys kick off at 5 p.m. ET in Dallas on Saturday.

Cowboys consider sitting Dak Prescott for preseason

Mike McCarthy told reporters on Saturday that he’s leaning toward not playing his starting QB in the first preseason game versus Jacksonville. Dallas fans probably won’t find this unusual. After all, Dak Prescott hasn’t played an exhibition game since 2019. And he’s getting older, too. Prescott turned 30 last Saturday. 

“We talked about it,” McCarthy told reporters. “I haven’t made a decision. I’m leaning towards not. If I had to bet, I’d bet on no. I always felt that decision goes deeper than just the quarterback and where you’re at on offense.”

Now, past decisions to keep Prescott out of the preseason were dictated by the quarterback’s injuries. Back in 2021, Prescott was coming off a severe leg injury he suffered from the season before. A year ago, he hurt his right (throwing) arm.

So McCarthy says he’s leaning no. The head coach took over play-calling duties for the season after the Cowboys parted ways with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Dallas’ passing game is expected to use more elements of the vintage West Coast offense. So expect some ball control via shorter routes and a quicker tempo.

On3’s Suzanne Halliburton contributed to this report.