QB Nick Foles among 31 Jaguars held out of preseason opener against Ravens

BALTIMORE — Quarterback Nick Foles will have to wait another week to make his preseason debut.

He was among 31 players, including 20 starters, held out from playing in Thursday night’s preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.

Joining Foles on the held-out list were wide receiver Dede Westbrook, cornerback Jalen Ramsey, cornerback DJ Hayden, safety Jarrod Wilson, running back Leonard Fournette, strong safety Ronnie Harrison, free safety Jarrod Wilson, middle linebacker Myles Jack, defensive end Lerentee McCray, center Brandon Linder, left guard Andrew Norwell, right tackle Cedric Ogbuehi, defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, defensive end Calais Campbell, defensive tackle Abry Jones and defensive tackle Marcell Dareus.

Foles took part in pre-game warmups with his teammates as he was seen throwing passes to Conley near midfield, but the Jaguars announced about an hour and a half before kickoff that Foles and nearly all of the team's top players would be held out by coach Doug Marrone. All of the Jaguars' non-injured players held out were in full pads for pregame work.

Marrone obviously wants his top players to avoid injury, especially in the preseason.

However, 14 players did not play Thursday night due to injuries -- wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, wide receiver Marqise Lee, cornerback A.J. Bouye, safety Cody Davis, running back Benny Cunningham, running back Thomas Rawls, running back Roc Thomas, linebacker Jake Ryan, linebacker James Onwualu, left tackle Cam Robinson, right tackle Jawaan Taylor, wide receiver Marcus Simms and tight end James Oliver.

Foles and the starters got extensive work against the Ravens’ first-team units during practices earlier this week. Foles looked sharp during the two practices, especially on his deep throws to Conley, Chark and Westbrook. Fournette ran hard between the tackles and made several catches out of the backfield.

''This team has really been bonding every single day,'' Foles said. ''We’re getting closer and closer, and anytime you can go away from your city on a trip, and you’re practicing, you’re playing a preseason game, it just brings you closer together.”

WIDE-OPEN RACE

Even before the decision was made for both Taylor and Ogbuehi to sit out Thursday night's game, Marrone said Taylor has not locked up the starting right tackle job. It appeared during Monday's practice that Taylor was the front-runner because he got most of the first-team reps, while Ogbuehi was shifted to left tackle. However, Ogbuehi shared first-team reps with Taylor Tuesday at right tackle while Leonard Wester took snaps with the starters at left tackle. "It’s way too early yet really to lock in a starter at that position with the stuff that we have going with the offensive line,’’ Marrone said. On the team's unofficial depth chart released last week, the Jaguars had Ogbuehi listed ahead of Taylor as the starter.

ROOKIE STARTER

Rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew started, but the Jaguars were forced to punt on their first four possessions and were held to two first downs in the first quarter. The Jaguars had too many protection breakdowns that forced Minshew to scramble out of the pocket. He was sacked on the third play of the game. Jacksonville totaled 21 yards on its first 11 plays. Minshew completed four of his first seven passes for 19 yards.

ALLEN MAKES DEBUT

First-round pick Josh Allen made his debut, starting in place of Yannick Ngakoue, who was held out. On a few plays, Allen applied some good pass rush pressure. But in the first quarter, he was flagged for jumping offside. However, Allen tossed Ravens running back Gus Edwards for a 2-yard loss on their opening drive.

RAVENS STARTERS PLAYED

Ravens coach Jim Harbaugh played most of his starters in the first quarter, including quarterback Lamar Jackson. Baltimore led 10-0 at the end of  the opening quarter after Jackson threw a 10-yard touchdown pass and Justin Tucker made a 52-yard field goal on its opening drive.