The Jacksonville Jaguars are a team that has been one of the most impressive through two weeks of the preseason.  With two road victories, the team has seen a number of standout performances, from potential starters to key reserves to guys scrapping to make it just barely above the cut line. 

Here are four players who have made a significant statement through two weeks of the preseason. 

4) Tank Bigsby

While there were questions about who would be the team's RB2 in training camp, those should be pretty much put to bed by now.  Bigsby has been as impressive as any player this preseason for the Jags.  In Dallas, he carried 9 times for 52 yards, and against the Lions he turned 13 carries into 70 yards.  5.5 yards per carry.  Fast through the hole and physical at the point of contact. 

D'Ernest Johnson should also secure a roster spot, but Bigsby has clearly been the best back of the preseason so far and is earning a RB2 designation on the depth chart. 

3) Nathan Rourke

Rourke should be a roster lock at this point.  He's playing like a legitimate NFL QB2 right now – even though Doug Pederson says that C.J. Beathard is still the primary backup going forward.  Rourke has completed 19 of 29 attempts for 274 yards, 1 touchdown, no interceptions to go with 34 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.  Beathard has completed 18 of 33 for 218 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception, with 3 rushing yards.  

Rourke's accuracy was already a calling card for him, having set the CFL single-season record for completion percentage last year.  Now he's shown in two NFL preseason games a level of innate pocket awareness, elusiveness, and playmaking ability.  The Jaguars would be silly to risk losing a promising player like that by trying to slip him through waivers and onto the practice squad. 

2) Jeremiah Ledbetter

The Jaguars need to improve their pass rush, and Jeremiah Ledbetter is doing his part at least so far in the preseason.  The former sixth-round draft pick by the Lions gave his team a rude awakening on the first play of the game, sacking Teddy Bridgewater.  He totaled five tackles, two QB hits, one sack, and a forced fumble.  He also had a sack a week ago against the Cowboys.  

With DaVon Hamilton out, Foley Fatukasi banged up, and Dawuane Smoot on the PUP list, the Jaguars are hurting on the defensive line right now.  Ledbetter is making himself a roster lock and likely a significant contributor with the current state of the roster.  

1) Gregory Junior

Who else?  Being involved with three turnovers in two games will do that for you.  The Jaguars' 2022 sixth-round draft pick recovered a fumble and forced another against the Cowboys, the latter of which prevented a sure touchdown.  Against the Lions, he notched an interception on a misfire from Lions QB Nate Sudfeld, returning it 37 yards to set up a Jaguars touchdown right before the half. 

The Jags need impact plays from their defense this fall, and Junior is more than doing his share to help with that.  He should be a serious contender to Tre Herndon in the slot, and at minimum should see the field routinely if he keeps up this level of play. 

Defensive end shines in Jaguars win over Lions

Two down and one more to go. The Jacksonville Jaguars really showed up in Detroit today. There were no crazy highlights like what Nathan Rourke did last week, but the Jags were able to get things done and beat the Lions 25-7 These preseason games are always ugly, but a few players really showed up […]

Featured image via David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports