Jacksonville Jaguars: Rookie Blaine Gabbert to Start vs New England Patriots

Jaguars rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert will see a live NFL defense besides his own tonight when he starts against the New England Patriots.

Gabbert, the 10th overall pick in this year's draft, was tabbed as the starter by Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio as David Garrard continued to rest his injured back he hurt a week ago in practice.

The team also made a move on Tuesday when it signed Todd Bouman to be Gabbert’s backup for the first preseason game of the season.

Jacksonville’s third string quarterback, Luke McCown is injured as well. According to a story by Vito Stellino in Wednesday’s edition of the Florida Times-Union, the Jaguars would not disclose what the injury was but McCown was seen with his back taped in a Monday night practice.

McCown also is coming off an injury last season to his ACL.

Garrard was named the starter for the season with Gabbert being brought along to learn the offense and be the second-stringer. Now, in his first preseason game of his career, Gabbert faces a Patriots team that is considered one of the favorites in the AFC to reach the Super Bowl.

It was originally believed that Garrard would be back this past Monday, but Del Rio and the Jaguars staff is being cautious and bringing him back at a slower pace, apparently to allow him more time to heal. He did not appear in the Jaguars’ scrimmage game Saturday night. Gabbert and McCown both played that evening.

Del Rio has stated that Gabbert had a game to build on.

This marks the fifth time that Bouman has been in camp or on the sidelines during the season for the Jaguars. Terms were not disclosed, but it is believed he would get less that $100,000, which is guaranteed for his time with the team. Bouman said he was excited to “play a kid’s game. What’s better than that?”

Gabbert now is the starter in camp until Garrard comes back. And in terms of playing against New England in the opener, the rookie said he welcomed the opportunity.

“I am just looking at it as a chance to get better,” he told the Times-Union.

Gabbert will not have running back Maurice Jones-Drew or tight end Marcedes Lewis at his disposal. Jones-Drew is still heeling from a knee injury and will not make the trip. Lewis will be with the Jaguars on the sidelines, but as Del Rio said, probably won’t play.

Other notable players who will not see action include defensive end  Aaron Kampman, who is still recovering from an ACL injury from last season and defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, who has yet to practice because he came to camp out of shape.