NFL Preseason Preview - Atlanta (2-1) at Jacksonville (1-2)

By Tony Moss, NFL Editor

(Sports Network) - A final bid for a spot on the 53-man roster will be the objective for several members of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night, when the two meet at EverBank Field in the last preseason game for each.

Following Thursday's games, all 32 NFL teams will have until 6pm ET on Saturday evening to trim their rosters to the 53-player maximum.

Many of the Jaguars' best-known notables could be out on Thursday, with running back Maurice Jones-Drew (knee) expected to be sidelined for precautionary reasons, while quarterback David Garrard could rest on a strong outing in the third week of the preseason.

Garrard was sharp in last Saturday's 19-13 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, completing 24-of-31 passes for 211 yards with an interception in the victory. With Garrard out of the lineup, backup Luke McCown should see extensive action on Thursday. Rookie Trevor Harris (Edinboro) could garner some time as well.

Falcons head coach Mike Smith, meanwhile, will mostly be trying to get out of his former home of Jacksonville with his team's health intact. The former Jaguars defensive coordinator could rest principles such as quarterback Matt Ryan (24-of-45, 213 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT), running backs Michael Turner (28 carries, 108 yards) and Jerious Norwood (5 carries, 22 yards), wideout Roddy White (9 receptions, 95 yards, 1 TD) and tight end Tony Gonzalez (7 receptions, 76 yards) for the bulk of the evening's festivities.

At the quarterback position, backups Chris Redman and John Parker Wilson are in line to garner most of the snaps.

Defensively, cornerback Dunta Robinson (hamstring) and tackle Peria Jerry (knee) could all be shelved.

Atlanta has sandwiched 2010 preseason wins over the Chiefs (20-10) and Dolphins (16-6) around a loss at the hands of the Patriots (28-10).

The all-time preseason series between the Falcons and Jaguars is deadlocked, 3-3, with Jacksonville evening the series by virtue of a 20-17 home win prior to the 2008 campaign.

The Falcons open their 2010 regular season schedule at the Steelers on Sept. 12, while the Jaguars welcome the Denver Broncos to town the same afternoon.