Jake

Luton

Luton has not logged a regular season snap since playing three games as a 2020 sixth-round rookie. Although the severity of Dalton’s injury is currently unknown, the Panthers front office likely would have taken more drastic measures if it was considered serious.

Just days after joining the organization, Luton will now back up veteran quarterback Andy Dalton in Week 3 against the Seahawks. Rookie starter Bryce Young has already been ruled out with an ankle injury.

He was on their practice squad last season. Luton is now three years removed from a three-start run with the Jaguars in 2020. He will continue to bounce around as practice-squad help, but likely won’t threaten a real depth chart. The Saints also waived RB Derrick Gore.

The teams also claimed kicker Jake Verity off waivers and released linebacker Grant Morgan. Luton was signed less than a week ago as a camp body. With C.J. Beathard locked into the backup role, EJ Perry should play all four quarters of Jacksonville’s final preseason game.

Luton in 2021 served as Geno Smith’s backup in Seattle when Russell Wilson missed time with a finger injury. In three 2020 starts for Jacksonville, Luton threw two touchdowns and six picks while completing 54.5 percent of his throws. He’ll likely be the Jaguars No. 3 QB behind Trevor Lawrence and C.J. Beathard.

Beathard was carted off the practice field on Monday after suffering a groin injury. He was the favorite to secure the backup gig in Jacksonville. Jake Luton would be Trevor Lawrence’s backup if the season started today. If Beathard’s injury is a long-term issue, the Jags will likely bring in a veteran free agent to compete with Luton.

Beathard is entering his second season as Trevor Lawrence’s backup. A lengthy recovery period from a serious injury would could make Jake Luton the team’s primary backup quarterback unless they make a signing this summer.

Luton spent most of this season on Seattle’s practice squad, serving as Geno Smith’s backup for two games with Russell Wilson sidelined. The 25-year-old started three games for the Jaguars as a sixth-round pick in 2020. Now that he’s back in Jacksonville, Luton will compete for a spot behind Trevor Lawrence this offseason.

Luton joined the team’s practice squad in September after averaging a poor 5.7 yards per attempt and six interceptions in three starts with Jacksonville last year. He may land elsewhere as a practice-squad project. The Seahawks also added DL Robert Nkemdiche in an adjacent move.

The former Oregon State quarterback heads back to the Pacific Northwest after one season and three starts helping the Jaguars to the No. 1 overall pick. Luton will be the third quarterback on the roster after Russell Wilson and Geno Smith if he sticks. The Seahawks released quarterback Sean Mannion in a corresponding move.