Jaguars cut Garrard, start McCown

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. | The Jacksonville Jaguars released veteran quarterback David Garrard on Tuesday, a stunning move that will save the franchise $9 million this season.

Coach Jack Del Rio will turn the starting job over to Luke McCown, who outplayed Garrard and rookie Blaine Gabbert in the preseason. But McCown played mostly with and against second- and third-teamers. McCown completed 12 of 18 passes for 133 yards, with two touchdowns, no interceptions and no sacks.

Garrard missed the preseason opener because of a sore back, but started the final three games. He completed 50 percent of his passes for 216 yards, with no touchdowns and an interception.

Del Rio's quarterback swap is similar to what he did in 2007, when he released Byron Leftwich in favor of Garrard after the preseason. Garrard played well that season, throwing 18 touchdown passes and just three interceptions.

He has been average since, with 53 TDs and 38 INTs over the past three seasons. He also has been sacked 117 times in that span.

Around the league:

c GIANTS: New York linebacker Jonathan Goff will miss the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Goff, in his fourth season with the Giants out of Vanderbilt, suffered the injury during Monday's practice. He had 80 tackles and one sack last season All told, New York has lost five key defensive players for the season since training camp opened.

c 49ERS: San Francisco signed linebacker Tavares Gooden to a one-year deal, giving the team a reliable defender against tight ends. The 6-foot-1, 242-pound Gooden has played in 26 games with 12 starts in three seasons with Baltimore, recording 66 tackles on defense and 22 tackles on special teams.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.