Normally, I run a picks column on this site every Friday, but with the NFL having Thursday games, one game each week always is outdated. To rectify that, we’re going to run my pick for Thursday night’s game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Atlanta Falcons separately here. Tune in tomorrow morning for all of the rest of the picks.

Now, without further ado, my pick for this epic Jaguars-Falcons tilt.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Atlanta Falcons (-13.5): I know why this line is so high. I get it. The Falcons need the win, the Jaguarss have nothing to play for, yada yada. I understand all this. But Atlanta is maddeningly inconsistent and that is a lot of points. Matt Ryan and Co. win the game, but not by two touchdowns. Pick: Jaguars.

For more on the Jaguars, visit Big Cat Country and SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on the Falcons, visit The Falcoholic and SB Nation Atlanta.

Read More: C.J. Mosley (DL – JAC), Terrance Knighton (DT – JAC), Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars were able to return the majority of their players to practice on Thursday, at least on a limited basis, as they get set to face the Cleveland Browns. Unfortunately for the visiting Jaguars, however, starting defensive tackle Terrance Knighton was not one of those players.

Knighton hasn’t made much of an impact on the box score this season, but his depth will be missed as C.J. Mosley moves into the starting lineup.

Jaguars’ defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, who missed the first game of his career in Indianapolis last week, is likely to miss his second game Sunday in Cleveland.

“You’ve got to be smart about it,” Knighton said of the need to let the deep bone bruise in his ankle heal.

The rest of the Jaguars injury report for Thursday is included below.

By Joel Thorman

– NFL Editor, SBNation.com

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Aug 9, 2011 – The Jacksonville Jaguars travel to New England on Thursday night for their first 2011 preseason game against the Patriots and they’ll do it with a rookie at quarterback. 10th overall pick QB Blaine Gabbert will get the nod as the starter, head coach Jack Del Rio confirmed.

On the depth chart, the Jaguars list QB David Garrard as the starter. But in this lockout-shortened offseason, I think the coaching staff needs a good, long look at the rookies because they’ve only seen them for a week or two in training camp.

Garrard isn’t expected to play with the Jaguars on Thursday night after suffering an injury last week at Jaguars training camp. He might be able to play if it were a regular season game but there’s no sense in the Jaguars rushing the situation when they can benefit from Gabbert running with the first team offense.

As to whether Gabbert can start the season as the No. 1 quarterback, I’d encourage you to check out a couple of pieces from SB Nation’s Big Cat Country: the case to start Gabbert and the case to sit Gabbert.

Read More: David Garrard (QB – JAC), Blaine Gabbert (QB – JAC), Jacksonville Jaguars

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