Rattler rallies Saints to 17-all preseason tie with Jaguars as competition with Shough continues

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Spencer Rattler now has some late-game highlights on his preseason resume as he competes with rookie Tyler Shough to become the New Orleans Saints' starting quarterback.

Rattler connected with Dante Pettis for a 20-yard touchdown with 21 seconds left and scrambled for a 2-point conversion to help the Saints salvage a 17-17 tie with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

“Just the way we finished was exciting," Rattler said. "Got-to-have-it type moments and to bring it to life out there on the field, especially in the (Superdome), was fun.”

Rattler finished 18 of 24 for 199 yards, one TD and one interception.

Shough, who started for the first time and played the whole first half, went 9 for 12 for 66 yards without a turnover. He led one scoring drive that concluded with Blake Grupe’s 51-yard field goal after Chris Olave dropped a third-down pass that could have extended the series.

“I felt really comfortable," Shough said. “We had some balls that didn’t bounce our way sometimes, but that’s part of it.

“It’s new for all of us — a new offense, new system, new guys we’re throwing to,” Shough added. "So, there’s going to be growth moments.”

The system was brought in by rookie coach Kellen Moore, who has one more preseason game to figure out who'll be his Week 1 starter.

“Sooner always is better, but these guys are competing and they’re giving everything that we can ask," Moore said. "So, we’ll continue to evaluate.”

Rattler was intercepted by Keni-H Lovely at the Jacksonville 7 in the fourth quarter. But rather than remove the second-year pro in favor of Jake Haener, Moore gave Rattler another chance.

“It was important just from an evaluation standpoint on Spence,” Moore said. “Those are critical moments. You have a tough situation; you’ve got to respond.”

With no overtime in the preseason, the Jaguars crossed midfield in the final seconds — one week after Cam Little made a 70-yard field goal.

But Seth Henigan's pass over the middle bounced off of Chandler Brayboy's hands and right to Saints safety Jonas Sanker, whose 40-yard return ended when he was pushed out of bounds at the Jacksonville 24 as time expired.

“We played well enough to win, but in this game, especially in preseason, you see some crazy stuff," Jaguars coach Liam Coen said. “I’d like to be able to finish the game the right way.”

Had Sanker run out of bounds earlier, New Orleans (0-1-1) could have set up for a game-winning kick.

Sanker said he “probably could have played it a little safer and got out a little earlier.”

Saints receiver Mason Tipton, a second-year pro out of Yale, caught six passes for 100 yards, one week after his 54-yard touchdown catch from Shough against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Parker Washington caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Lawrence and Bayshul Tuten rushed for a 3-yard touchdown for Jacksonville (0-1-1).

Lawrence played for two drives and had little trouble moving the offense while going 8 of 10 for 76 yards and a TD.

However, his first drive ended with a turnover on the New Orleans 12 when Lawrence tripped as he turned to hand off to Tank Bigsby. The ball squirted loose and defensive lineman Vernon Broughton recovered.

“Besides that play, to be honest, it was a pretty clean day,” Lawrence said. “We moved the ball, stayed on schedule and we were pretty efficient.”

Little converted from 53 yards as the first half ended to make it 17-3 — and making him 5 for 5 in the preseason, all on kicks longer than 39 yards.

Rattler began his day by leading New Orleans to the first of Irishman Charlie Smyth’s two second-half field goals — with the help of Christian Braswell's pass-interference penalty on a deep pass intended for Tipton.

The second kick, which made it 17-9, came after Rattler's 45-yard connection with Tipton.

Jacksonville QB Nick Mullens, who took over for Lawrence in the second quarter, passed for 112 yards and led the Jags to 10 points, but also was intercepted by Jaylan Ford at the Saints 15.

Jaguars: Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 overall draft choice Travis Hunter was scratched before the game with what the team has called an upper-body injury.

Saints: Center Cesar Ruiz was examined in the injury tent in the second quarter after going down awkwardly as the pocket collapsed on Shough, who was sacked by Ventrell Miller and Jack Kiser. Moore said he thought Ruiz would be “fine.”

Jaguars: Visit the Miami Dolphins on Saturday.

Saints: Host the Denver Broncos on Saturday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Keni-H Lovely (31) celebrates a pass interception against the New Orleans Saints with safety Daniel Thomas (20) in the second half of an NFL preseason football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Dante Pettis (17) scores a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars on a 20-yard pass play in the second half of an NFL preseason football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Dante Pettis makes a reception against Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Doneiko Slaughter (35) in the second half of an NFL preseason football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of an NFL preseason football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (2) throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second half of an NFL preseason football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) fumbles the ball as New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson (96) makes the recovery in the first half of an NFL preseason football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) prepares to hand off in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) makes a reception for a touchdown on a 7-yard pass play against New Orleans Saints linebacker Danny Stutsman (47) in the first half of an NFL preseason football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

DEDHAM, Mass. (AP) — Jury selection began Monday in the assault trial of former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs in connection with a heated dispute he had with his private chef.

The four-time Pro Bowl wideout pleaded not guilty in February to a felony strangulation charge and a misdemeanor assault and battery charge stemming from the alleged dispute with his former private chef.

Diggs declined to speak to reporters as he arrived at Norfolk County District Court in Dedham, a Boston suburb.

According to court records, the chef told officers that she and Diggs had argued about money he owed her for work. During the Dec. 2 encounter at his home in Dedham, Massachusetts, she said, he “smacked her across the face” and then “tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck,” leaving her feeling short of breath. She told officers she had trouble breathing and felt she could have blacked out.

Diggs’ attorney has said he “categorically denies these allegations,” calling them unsubstantiated and motivated by a financial dispute. Diggs did not speak to reporters outside court in February.

Diggs signed a three-year, $69 million contract with New England last year and was a key target for quarterback Drake Maye during the Patriots’ AFC East title run. Before joining the Patriots, Diggs was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2015 and played for the Buffalo Bills before a brief stint with the Houston Texans in 2024.

Diggs’ 1,000-yard season with the Patriots marked the seventh of his career. It helped complete a successful career revival after a season-ending knee injury derailed what turned out to be a one-year stay with the Houston Texans in 2024.

Diggs, who led the team with 85 receptions and 1,013 yards receiving with four touchdowns in his only season with the Patriots, was released by the team in March. Diggs posted a goodbye on social media, thanking the Patriots for the season and saying: “We family forever.”

Diggs has yet to sign with another team.

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)