Garrard Out, Gray in for Jaguars

Garrard Out, Gray in for Jaguars

As the Jacksonville Jaguars prepare to tackle the most difficult stretch of their schedule, the realization that they will have to do so without starting quarterback David Garrard is settling in.

Garrard, named the starter just before the start of the season when coach Jack Del Rio chose to waive fan favorite Byron Leftwich, suffered a high ankle sprain in the team's 29-7 loss to the Indianapolis Colts Monday night. He is expected to miss up to a month with the injury, including stops at Tampa Bay, New Orleans and Tennessee.

In his place, the Jags (4-2) will turn to untested QB Quinn Gray. The fifth-year veteran will be making his first career start on Sunday against the Bucs. As insurance, Jacksonville has inked longtime journeyman quarterback Todd Bouman as a backup.

Neither, however, figures to make up for the loss of Garrard. Now in his sixth season, Garrard has played virtually error-free football this season, running his current streak of games without allowing an interception to 19. In addition, Garrrd's 102.9 passer rating places him eighth in the league in that category.

Now, it's Gray's turn. “We've got to rally around Quinn,” Del Rio said of Gray, who after Garrard went down completed just 9 of 24 passes against the Colts for 56 yards. Still, Gray doesn't lack confidence.

“I'm looking forward to the opportunity, it's been a long time coming,” he said. “I knew it would come one day. I didn't know when or what the situation would be.”

Now, that day has come, and the Jags whole season may hinge on how well it goes. “When you number is called, you have to be able to go in there and execute the offense the best you know how,” said Gray. “It's an opportunity for me to go out and show my coaches they made a great decision in keeping me here.”

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