National Football League

Yates states case to be Falcons' backup QB in win over Jaguars

Published Aug. 28, 2014 9:21 p.m. ET

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T.J. Yates made a strong case to be Atlanta's backup quarterback Thursday night.

Yates threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in both teams' preseason finale.

Yates had shown little in the team's first three exhibitions, completing 39.4 percent of his passes, with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Second-year player Sean Renfree posted better numbers and seemingly had an edge in the competition to be Matt Ryan's backup.

But Yates shined against the Jaguars.

His highlight throw was a 67-yard touchdown strike to Freddie Martino in the second quarter, a deep ball that put Atlanta up 21-7. His other TD came on a swing pass to Antone Smith, who broke several tackles during the 66-yard catch and run.

Yates completed 15 of 20 passes and was sacked twice.

Renfree was 9-of-12 passing for 62 yards.

Ryan didn't play, spending the game on the sideline with running back Steven Jackson and receivers Roddy White, Julio Jones and Harry Douglas. Defensive lineman Jonathan Babineaux also got the night off.

Jacksonville held out a number of first-teamers, too.

Quarterback Chad Henne, running back Toby Gerhart, safety Johnathan Cyprien, linebacker Paul Posluszny, left tackle Luke Joeckel, tight end Marcedes Lewis, defensive end Chris Clemons and defensive tackle Roy Miller were among the team's healthy scratches.

Kicker Josh Scobee, safety Winston Guy, cornerback Alan Ball, safety Craig Loston, right tackle Austin Pasztor, guard Zane Beadles, offensive tackle Josh Wells, tight end Clay Harbor and defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks were held out because of injuries.

With Henne resting, first-round draft pick Blake Bortles got the start for Jacksonville and extended his impressive preseason.

Bortles completed 4 of 6 passes for 86 yards, including a 57-yard TD strike to fellow rookie Marqise Lee on the first play of the second quarter.

"It was a good play," said Bortles, the third overall pick in May's draft. "I had him on a seam and threw a little later than I wanted to, but he did a good job staying alive and running down the field to make a play."

Bortles completed 32 of 51 passes for 521 yards in four exhibition games, with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

"I think it's going really well for us," Bortles said. "We've gone out wanting to do a couple of things this preseason, and we've accomplished a lot. We have a lot of work left to do, but I think everybody is happy with the preseason that we've had and is looking forward to getting ready for Week 1."

Despite Bortles' steady improvement, he's a lock to open the season on the bench behind Henne.

Henne ended the preseason 25-of-38 passing for 230 yards, with a touchdown and no interceptions.

More pressing questions for Jacksonville include the offensive line and the receiving corps.

Rookie center Luke Bowanko, a sixth-round pick from Virginia, started in place of Mike Brewster and looked sharp again. Brewster played in the second half and grounded a snap past quarterback Ricky Stanzi -- his third bad snap of the preseason.

Receivers Tandon Doss (ankle) and Ace Sanders (leave of absence) made their preseason debuts, but Doss sustained another ankle injury and could be out a while. Sanders is suspended the first four games of the season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.

Jacksonville rookie cornerback Rashaad Reynolds also left with a hand injury.