Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer announced that Trevor Lawrence will start the Sept. 12 season opener in Houston against the Texans, as well as Sunday’s preseason finale in Dallas against the Cowboys. Said Meyer: “We wanted him to earn it, as we do with every position. We felt he has, after [Monday] night’s performance was — it was good, obviously not great. We didn’t run the ball very well. I kind of in my mind had that [deadline] after the second preseason [game] that we kind of have to get someone ready to play in three weeks.”  Meyer said he told the team of the quarterback decision, and said the reaction from the team was positive.

Lawrence started both preseason games, completing 20 of 32 passes for 184 yards and was sacked three times against the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints.  Lawrence said: “We’ve got a great group. Minsh [Minshew] has been awesome, treating me really well. We’ve had a lot of conversations. He’s been a guy that I’ve been able to learn from, and C.J. and Jake [Luton], all those guys, we’re all in it together. You know, we’re all on the same team and, at the end of the day, I think that’s the most important thing. But it’s been good. Moving forward, we’re not making it bigger than it is. I’m going to be the starter and just got to play well, so that doesn’t change.”

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