JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Quarterback David Garrard has been ruled out for Jacksonville’s preseason opener at New England, allowing rookie Blaine Gabbert to start.
Coach Jack Del Rio says the team is simply being cautious with Garrard, who tweaked his back during practice Thursday and hasn’t done anything on the field since.
With Garrard sidelined, the Jaguars signed veteran Todd Bouman. The 39-year-old Bouman had three stints with the Jaguars last season, initially signed after an injury to Luke McCown and re-signed after injuries to Trent Edwards and Garrard. He also spent time with Jacksonville in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Gabbert, the 10th pick in April’s draft out of Missouri, has worked with the first-team offense since Garrard’s injury. Del Rio says Gabbert and McCown will split most of the snaps against the Patriots.
