Ameer Abdullah picked a good night to remind the Jaguars what he can still do.
In Jacksonville’s 34-17 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 21 at EverBank Stadium, the 12-year veteran put together the kind of all-around showing that can swing a roster battle. With one preseason game left and a decision looming at running back, Abdullah made his push loud enough to be heard.
That matters because he’s not the only one making noise. Undrafted rookie J'Mari Taylor already turned heads with 78 rushing yards against the New Orleans Saints, the most by a Jaguars running back in a preseason game in 11 years.
Now the final spot in the room may come down to Abdullah and Taylor, with DeeJay Dallas also in the mix. The Jaguars are still sorting out who lands the fourth running back job behind Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez and Allen.
Against Carolina, Abdullah was the Jaguars’ best offensive spark in the first half. Before Joey Aguilar connected with Trebor Pena on a 29-yard touchdown pass with 3:12 left, Abdullah had already piled up 45 rushing yards on six carries and added three catches for 37 yards. His best run went for 23 yards, leaving Carolina defender Chau Smith-Wade reaching for air, and he also hauled in gains of 18 and 11 yards.
It wasn’t a perfect night. Abdullah dropped a Nick Mullens pass in the end zone, and Jacksonville settled for the first of three Cam Little field goals. Little has now made 20 of 21 preseason field-goal attempts for his career.
Still, Abdullah said the outing fit the larger picture of what he’s been trying to show throughout camp.
"I've been itching to get more with the ones," he said. "I know early in camp me and J'Mari got a good look against our one defense, and I think that kind of prepared us a lot. If we can get gelled in and mesh with the guys who are the one O-line, get their protection calls and hear how they communicate, I think it'll set us up for a good showing in the long run."
That long run is running out fast. The Jaguars have only the two joint practices against the Tampa Bay Bucs on Aug. 25-26 and the final preseason game on Aug. 28 against the Bucs left for Abdullah, Taylor and seven-year veteran DeeJay Dallas to make their case before cutdown day.
Abdullah said he values the live reps more than anything else.
"I think game action is the only way you can truly prepare for the game of football," said Abdullah, who played at Nebraska. "Of course practice gets your timing down, but really taking on blocks, really taking on tackles, feeling yourself go through a hole when guys are really trying to tackle you is the best way to prep for the game. So I'm just glad that I was out there and able to execute today."
EverBank Stadium also carries some good memories for him. Abdullah said Jacksonville has treated him well, and he pointed back to his big day in the 2013 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, when Nebraska beat Georgia 24-19 and he led all rushers with 122 yards and a touchdown.
He also has a family friend who lives in Jacksonville, another reason the city feels familiar.
"Jacksonville has always been good to me," he said. "Always been good to me, my family. I have a lot of roots here and I'm glad to be here."
Jaguars coach Liam Coen liked what he saw and sounded like a coach leaning toward keeping the veteran around.
“I thought he definitely showed up tonight," Coen said. "It’s kind of what we’ve all been seeing in a lot of ways in practice. You talk about a pro's pro and a guy that just does everything right."
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Jabbar Muhammad, listed on the second string, added six tackles in a busy showing on defense, while Ameer Abdullah topped the team in rushing yards and Michael Wortham was perfect when the ball came his way. Cam Little also handled his business, hitting all three of his field-goal tries, giving the Jaguars a few encouraging individual moments to sort through as they continue trimming the roster and deciding who is worth a closer look. [Read more 🡒]