Atlanta’s Terron Ward rushed for two scores as the Falcons came away with a 17-15 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the final NFL preseason game for both teams.
“This was a good game for us as far as an evaluation tool,” Jacksonville Head Coach Gus Bradley said. “We didn’t play a number of our starters – 25, 26 guys something like that. We really wanted to use it as an evaluation tool for guys that are fighting and battling to make the team.”
Jaguars rookie QB Brandon Allen, a sixth-round pick from Arkansas, had two TD passes, including a 25-yarder to Shaq Evans. He also completed a pass for a two-point conversion and finished 17 of 26 for 164 yards.
“I thought he did good,” Bradley said of Allen’s play. “There were a couple of plays where we missed some big plays and had an opportunity for some explosive plays, the one with the interception their guy made a great play. I felt like we still had a chance there, but overall his procedure, his tempo, his poise which were his strongest attributes, showed up tonight.”
Jacksonville (1-3) held out all of its starters, while the Falcons (3-1) used some of their regulars in limited roles. QB Matt Ryan took the Falcons’ first snap, handing off to Devonta Freeman. Then they both sat out the rest of the game.
“I thought some guys really stepped up,” Bradley noted. “We have some critical positions and critical decisions that are going to be tough and we wouldn’t want it any other way. We came out in the game and in the first half, I thought we did some really good things. In the second half, we had our opportunities and just missed some opportunities for some points.”
Jacksonville rookie linebacker Myles Jack, a second-round draft choice from UCLA, was in on the first four tackles. Cornerback Josh Johnson had one of two Jacksonville interceptions. Jason Myers missed field goal attempts of 57 and 49 yards for the Jaguars.
In a roster move, the Jaguars have signed sixth-year wide receiver Arrelious Benn. To make room on the roster, the club placed third-year offensive tackle Josh Wells on the team’s Reserve/Injured list. Wells sustained a right thumb injury during training camp.
Jacksonville opens the regular season Sunday, Sept. 11 at home against Green Bay.
Practice squad set: The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed rookie tight end Alex Ellis, first-year running back Bronson Hill and second-year offensive lineman Jeremiah Poutasi to the team’s practice squad. The team also signed first-year defensive tackle Richard Ash, third-year wide receiver Shaq Evans, rookie offensive lineman Rashod Hill, first-year wide receiver Rashad Lawrence, second-year cornerback Nick Marshall, third-year linebacker Sean Porter and first-year wide receiver Shane Wynn to the team’s practice squad.
Photo tribute planned: The Jaguars have issued a call to fans to submit photos of local military members and first responders to be used as part of a special halftime tribute on Sept. 11. Photos can be submitted through social media using the hashtag #Jagsalute or emailed to entertainment@jaguars.com. The pictures will be shown on the world’s largest video boards during a half-time rendition of “God Bless America.” The Jaguars request that submitted pictures be of military or first responders in uniform.
