7 winners (and 3 losers) for the Jaguars in their preseason win over the Buccaneers

The Jacksonville Jaguars sat out most of their starters in Week 2 of the preseason but that didn't stop them from beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Having already gotten lots of action in joint practices with the Bucs, the coaching staff didn't want to expose key players to unnecessary injuries.

"You get a chance to get your starters a lot of reps in a controlled environment against another football team," Head coach Doug Pederson told the local press after the win when asked what he got out of the joint practices. "I thought both teams showed great sportsmanship during the week. Coach [Todd] Bowles does a great job with his team and our guys."

Pederson continued, "I was proud of the way our guys handled themselves. But to get our starters in the number of reps they did for two days in a controlled environment is good work because in a game like tonight, they would only get maybe a quarter again, or a quarter and a half. Sometimes you don't get the scenarios or the situations you want doing a joint practice like that, you can do that and really get some good work."

Several players took advantage of the extra reps to make an impression. Here are some of them, along with a few that struggle.

Winner: Anton Harrison, right tackle

Right tackle Anton Harrison missed several practices in training camp after landing in concussion protocol. He also sat out the game against the Kansas City Chiefs but was close to returning. The Oklahoma product was at last able to make his preseason debut against Tampa Bay. He showed he's picked up where he left off last year.

Harrison was one of the starters who got to play against the Bucs and outright dominated the line of scrimmage. There was one play where he was paving the way for running back Tank Bigsby in which he disposed of two defenders with ease.

Whether the offensive line plays better in 2024 remains to be seen but the top brass shouldn't be concerned about the right edge.

Winner: Tank Bigsby, running back

Even though Tank Bigsby wasn't as productive as he was in the opener — at least in terms of yards per carry — he had a good day against the Bucs, toting the rock 10 times for 37 yards while adding 19 yards through the air. It's fair to say that he would've had better numbers had the offensive line done a better of creating holes. Either way, Doug Pederson was pleased with what he saw from No. 4,

"Tank is really improving. Obviously, still some work to do, but he did a nice job again," Pederson told the local media after the win. "He ran tough, took care of the football. We'll take a look at the tape and watch it, but I really think that he's done some really good things for a young player and gonna help us offensively and just continue to continue to grow as a running back."

It's fair to say that Bigsby is closer to becoming the player the Jaguars envisioned when they drafted him 88th overall in 2023.

Winner: Parker Washington, wide receiver

Sophomore wide receiver Parker Washington had a 73-yard return in the preseason opener. He showed against the Buccaneers that he can also contribute on offense, hauling in a 25-yard touchdown reception from Mac Jones.

Washington has been one of the team's most improved players from 2023, and even if he doesn't get a featured role, he's proving that he'll deliver if called upon. After the win, the former Penn State Nittany Lion told team reporter Kainani Stevens that he's making the most out of their opportunities, whether they come on offense or special teams.

"Just being able to prove my value as much as I can, and the coaches trust in me to be able to embrace those roles. That means everything," Washington told Stevens. "And I just want to continue to build on that, continue to develop, and go from there."

Winners: Chad Muma, linebacker

A third-round pick in 2022, linebacker Chad Muma flashed as a rookie but struggled when he was on the field last year. He looks like a much different player under defensive coordinator Ryan Neilsen. The former Wyoming Cowboy has routinely gotten recognition throughout the summer from Doug Pederson and Nielsen himself.

Muma has validated the praise by making plays and being around the ball in both preseason outings. Against the Bucs, he showed his recognition skills with a tackle for a loss early in the bout.

Devin Lloyd will still be the starter next to Foye Oluokun but the Jaguars should feel good about their depth at linebacker with Muma in the fold.

Winner: Brevin Easton, wide receiver

Parker Washington wasn't the only receiver that made plays against the Buccaneers. Mac Jones had to return to the game when C.J. Beathard suffered a groin injury. Because it was late in the second half, it made sense to run the ball but the coaching staff had the Alabama product dial a few deep shots.

One of them was to Brevin Easton, who caught a 31-yard touchdown pass, Jones' second of the day.

Easton is currently on the outside looking in, but if he somehow earns a roster spot, this play should be one of the reasons why. But even if he doesn't make the cut, he's putting in enough good tape for teams in need of help at wide receiver in case he hits the waiver wire.

Winner: Tyler Lacy, defensive end

Defensive end Tyler Lacy has had sacks in back-to-back preseason games. He was unblocked on the one against the Buccaneers, but he wasn't going to pass on the chance to bring the quarterback down.

Lacy, a fourth-round pick in last year's draft, was mostly a non-factor in his rookie season, but he's done enough to make you think that he can carve a role in the defensive-line rotation in 2024.

Winner: Mac Jones, quarterback

There was probably no bigger winner in Week 2 of the preseason than Mac Jones, at least when it comes to the Jaguars. Although he wasn't able to get much going in their first possession, he got hot and put together several productive drives. Along the way, he showcased scramble and escaping capability, a pair of traits that come in handy when trying to extend plays.

Jones left and paved the way for Beathard. Had he been done for the day, he would've done enough to make you think he had the leg up in the quarterback competition but he returned and kept on strengthening his case.

In retrospect, giving up a sixth-round pick to trade for Jones was one of the best decisions the Jaguars could've made in the offseason.

Loser: CJ Beathard, quarterback

While Mac Jones saw his stock soar in Week 2 of the preseason, CJ Beathard's plummeted. Even before he left with a groin injury, he was pummeled. Sure, he wasn't getting good protection but he didn't show the ability to avoid the heat like his fellow quarterback displayed.

It's hard to tell just how much time Beathard will miss but his chances of being the primary backup behind Trevor Lawrence in 2024 currently don't look great.

Loser: Elijah Cooks, wide receiver

Like undrafted free agency Joshua Cephus, Elijah Cooks is vying for a roster spot. After the game against Tampa Bay, it looks like both of them are long shots to make the team. Cooks, in particular, had a drop that won't help his case.

Cooks made the roster as a rookie because the Jaguars didn't want to run the risk of losing him on the waiver wire. The former San Jose State Spartan hasn't been certainly bad in the summer but he's not done nearly enough to warrant a roster spot for the second straight year or pull ahead of veteran receiver Tim Jones.

Loser: Luke Fortner, center

Center Luke Fortner embodied the team's offensive line struggles in 2023. He was arguably the weakest link up front. That's why the Jaguars signed Mitch Morse in free agency.

Fortner got lots of playing time against the Buccaneers and reminded everyone why the Jags looked for reinforcements in the offseason.

Morse himself struggled in joint practices, but Fortner doesn't inspire confidence. The Jaguars could be in trouble if he sees extended playing time next season.

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