JACKSONVILLE, Fla. ⁠— Gardner Minshew is an NFL project whose time is now.



Lacking the prototypical size and arm strength of a can’t-miss quarterback, the rookie from Washington State was drafted in the sixth round by the Jaguars because they believed that ⁠— in time ⁠— he could grow into a reliable backup or even a starter.



On the game clock, that maturation lasted just 9 minutes and 37 seconds.



That’s when, in the season opener against Kansas City, prized free agent Nick Foles threw his first touchdown pass, was driven into the ground and sustained a fractured left clavicle that will keep him out until at least Week 11.



Jaguars fans, whose hopes were riding on Foles after a decade of disappointment, could see their chances for a rebound unraveling. Onto the field went Minshew, 24, who at every turn in his career has faced doubters and defied them.



On Sunday, he completed his first 13 passes...