Gardner Minshew expected to miss Week 9 matchup against the Houston Texans

It was reported during the bye week that Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew had multiple fractures and a strained ligament in his right thumb, which happens to be on his throwing hand. Minshew had been feeling discomfort in his thumb since the last time the Jaguars played the Houston Texans on Oct. 11, although the Jaguars reportedly weren’t aware of the injury until after last week’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Now, with the Houston Texans coming up again on the schedule for a Week Nine matchup in Jacksonville, Minshew is expected to be inactive for the game, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Minshew has started every game so far this season for the Jaguars, as well as 12 games (14 total appearances) in 2019. Minshew has completed nearly 66 percent of his passes for 1,855 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions. However, the Jaguars sit with just a 1-6 record, and have lost six games in a row after an opening week victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

If this report is true, this means the Jaguars will be starting either veteran Mike Glennon, or rookie sixth-round draft pick (just like Minshew was in 2019) Jake Luton on Sunday. Glennon could have the upper hand because of his experience, with Luton serving as the backup, but Jacksonville’s coaching staff reportedly has been impressed with what they’ve seen from Luton. So, perhaps Doug Marrone and company want to see what they have in the young signal-caller — especially in a lost season. Glennon is yet to throw a pass this season, and Luton is yet to be active for a game.

The Texans were also on a bye week this week, and just like Jacksonville, enter Sunday’s contest with just a 1-6 record — with the team’s lone win coming against the Jaguars.

Update: It appears that Luton will indeed get the start, which makes total sense.