Jaguars won’t rest players, full steam ahead against Texans

The Jaguars have no plans to rest players for Sunday’s game against the Texans, team sources told ESPN, though their Week 18 showdown with the Titans will almost certainly decide the AFC South title.

“It’s going full steam ahead,” a Jaguars official told ESPN of the team’s actions against the Texans. “Everyone is ready and everyone is playing.”

Jacksonville wants to continue building on its winning culture and changing attitudes, and doesn’t believe resting players — despite questionable injuries — will help the franchise achieve those goals.

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This means key players like quarterback Trevor Lawrence (toe) and linebacker Travon Walker (ankle), the No. 1 pick overall in the last two drafts, are both expected to play Sunday, although both are listed as questionable.

Jacksonville also has other ulterior motives that match his changed mindset. A win on Sunday would give the Jaguars (7-8) their first consecutive road wins since 2013, and it would also give them a chance to finish the season above .500 if they win their last two games.

Jacksonville’s approach contrasts with the Titans (7-9), who rested certain players during Thursday night’s loss to the Cowboys. With Thursday night’s game having no real impact on their postseason hopes and the final game of the regular season being the most important, the Titans figured they would spend the past week preparing for this game.

But the Jaguars, who have won three games in a row and five of their last seven, will take the opposite approach on Sunday in a bid to maintain momentum and further build their “winning culture”.