The Jacksonville Jaguars have made the decision to release starting quarterback Byron Leftwich, making David Garrard the starting quarterback. After a preseason that saw Leftwich struggle in his last two starts, the Jaguars opted to release him and go with Garrard, who had a good preseason. The team didn't file the work with the league office Friday, so it will have to happen Saturday. But a team source confirmed that if Leftwich isn't traded, he will be let go.

Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio said Leftwich will start the Jaguars' regular- season opener Sept. 9 against the Tennessee Titans. Asked if he has any doubt that Leftwich will turn things around, Del Rio said, "I continue to have confidence in what we're doing and how we're doing it." Del Rio said he knew he would face a lot of quarterback questions after Leftwich failed to score in five series against the Packers and backup David Garrard put touchdowns on the board in his only two drives. When asked why Leftwich wasn't more effective now that he's healthy after offseason ankle surgery and likes the offense put together by new coordinator Dirk Koetter, Del Rio said: "I understand you're doing your best to ask the questions that need to be asked. I'm doing my best to give the answers I'm prepared to give you. We recognize where we need to be better. We'll continue to work at it."

The Green Bay Packers lost their unbeaten preseason record in a 21-13 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lambeau Field on Thursday night.

Tim Couch's return to the NFL lasted nearly three weeks. The Jaguars released the former top draft pick Saturday after a handful of practices and one preseason game. Couch, who hadn't played in the NFL since the 2004 preseason, wanted a chance to revive his career following two shoulder operations.

Byron Leftwich can't blame the fans about dissent regarding the Jaguars' quarterback situation. The culpability for such controversy lies squarely within the organization, he said earlier this week. "You got to understand it's an environment that we created ourselves," Leftwich said Monday. "I don't think the environment has nothing to do really with me and Dave [Garrard]. I think it has something to do with the way things [have] been handled in the past." Leftwich was referring to the manner in which he was benched last season after sustaining a mysterious ankle injury two days before the Jaguars' 27-7 loss in October at Houston. Leftwich played poorly against the Texans, but coach Jack Del Rio said the injury wasn't a factor in the quarterback's performance. Del Rio changed his mind one day later.

Jaguars guard/tackle Stockar McDougle ruptured his left Achilles' tendon and will be out for the season, the team's second significant injury along the offensive line. Jacksonville already was playing without starting center Brad Meester, who broke his right ankle two weeks ago and will miss at least the first three games of the regular season. McDougle injured his Achilles' tendon during practice Monday night, but the team didn't know the severity of the injury until Tuesday.

About the only thing new quarterback Trent Green led the Dolphins offense to Saturday night was a smattering of boos. Green struggled in his Dolphins debut, underthrowing receivers and managing just 60 yards on 6-for-15 passing with one interception in Miami's 18-17 win over the Jaguars in the exhibition opener for both teams.

The Jaguars signed kicker Aaron Elling among a pair of moves Friday. Elling, 29, joined the Jaguars three days after being waived by the Falcons.