Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said Thursday Lawrence will not play in the second week of the preseason on Saturday against the Buccaneers at EverBank Stadium. Pederson did not say whether Beathard and/or Jones will start, but added that the two are expected to split time, each playing a half.

“It was really close, honestly,” Pederson said Thursday. “Mac coming in was great for that room. It was great for CJ. Both guys really embraced the challenge. We were honest with both of them and explained to them exactly how camp was going to go, and I think both of them are right in the middle within three or four reps at a 50-50 split. So it was good. It was a good competition.”

Pederson also praised Beathard’s approach to working with Jones during the offseason program and training camp.

“CJ has really had a positive impact on Mac, just learning the system,” Pederson said. “You don’t see that. When someone is fighting for your spot and you see the other player coaching him a little bit, it’s encouraging and positive. But both guys have done a great job.”

Jones said Beathard’s approach reflects what he called a “great” quarterback room.

“We’re brothers in there and that’s what you want,” he said. “You want to share ideas and compete with each other every day. It’s like three brothers out there throwing the ball around. In that respect, we compete. But at the end of the day, we’re on the same team. We’re all working for the common goal. On every good team I’ve been on, that’s been the case. On the bad ones, not so much.”

And although both are aware of the competition ahead of the final two preseason games, Beathard said Thursday: “I’m trying not to make it a bigger deal than it is.”

“Every day you try to do your best and put your best foot forward,” he said. “The bigger the moment you make it, the more stress you put on yourself, in my opinion, and that’s just not necessary. In the eight years I’ve been doing it, I’ve seen a lot and been through a lot, so I feel mature in that regard.”

Jones said: “I’m not trying to put too much pressure on myself in these games. They are two games that are very important. You have to understand that. I’m just looking forward to competing. Everything won’t be perfect, but you have to learn from it and keep building momentum into the season.”