Doug Pederson: Jaguars Won't Rest Players vs. Texans

The Jaguars could use Week 17 to rest up before they play the Tennessee Titans in the AFC South Championship next Sunday, but that is not the way Doug Pederson plans to move forward.

There is no rest for the weary, especially as they are closing in on a potential AFC South title and a playoff spot. 

As such, the Jacksonville Jaguars will unsurprisingly not rest players during their Week 17 game vs. the Houston Texans, head coach Doug Pederson announced on Wednesday.

"Not at all. There is never a meaningless game. Never, ever, ever, ever. You play to win every game," Pederson said. "The only way I rest players is if they're hurt and can't go."

Houston has won each of the last eight meetings between the two teams, including a 13-6 win in Week 5 that to date has haunted the Jaguars. It was the third of what would turn into six one-score losses over the first half of the season. 

Since then, the Jaguars have had to fight back from 3-7, winning four of their last five games to give themselves a spot at the top of the AFC South entering Week 17. And even though this weekend's rematch vs. Houston has limited ramifications, Pederson isn't looking to take his foot off the pedal.

"Not at this time, no," Pederson said when asked if any players were in a position to be held out. "I think everybody will be in a position to play that can't play."

"We still have to go play and, and play a good football team, you know, on Sunday. So I just gotta make sure our guys are in the right, you know, mind space this week and, and, ready for this football team. Cause I mean, you just put on the tape and really what they've done here in the last, you know, month they're playing pretty good even though they've lost a couple of close ones."

Among the players who the Jaguars will have to ensure can still play on Sunday due to injuries are outside linebacker Travon Walker (ankle), defensive lineman Foley Fatukasi (ankle), and long snapper Ross Matiscik (back).

"He's close," Pederson said about Walker, who has missed the last two weeks. "Today will be a big day, as will each day this week as we get closer to game-time."

As for Matiscik, the Jaguars added an insurance policy on Wednesday by signing Garrison Sanborn to their practice squad. 

"Ross has had some back spasms recently, so we just want to make sure we have everything protected," Pederson said. 

"Ross will be fine for the game, we are not worried about that. He played last Thursday, it was a little bit tight and, you know, spasmed up on him last Thursday and he battled through it and did a nice job."