The Jaguars are only one preseason game in, but Saturday’s opener against the Saints already offered a few clues about who helped themselves most in the race for the 53-man roster.
Yasir Abdullah may have done the most to change his outlook. The fourth-year linebacker came into camp on the bubble, but he now looks to be in strong position again in 2026.
Jalen McLeod’s injury opened a door, and Abdullah walked through it with a strip-sack of Spencer Rattler and a sharp tackle that created a seven-yard loss on a punt return. For players in his spot, special teams production matters just as much as defensive snaps, and Abdullah delivered in both areas.
A week ago he looked on the outside; now he appears to be firmly in the mix.
Rookie running back J'Mari Taylor also made his case, even if the team’s rushing numbers didn’t tell a pretty story. Playing behind a rough offensive line, he still found ways to stand out with patience, burst through openings, and the ability to finish runs with extra yards after contact.
The Jaguars still seem unlikely to keep four running backs, but Taylor’s showing at least puts him in the conversation if that number changes. And if it doesn’t, he has made a real argument to be the top practice squad back.
Cornerback Jabbar Muhammad didn’t turn in a spotless performance, but he still helped his standing. He finished with more impact than Corey Ballentine and Christian Braswell, and after two rough reps early, he answered with the game-winning pass breakup.
He also logged meaningful snaps on the outside, which matters because so much of his practice work has come in the slot. If he can hold up outside as well as he does inside, he could become a valuable piece for the defense.
Bryan Thomas Jr. faces a tougher path as an undrafted rookie free agent, with backup spots seemingly occupied by B.J. Green, Danny Striggow, Welsey Williams, and Zach Durfee.
Still, his performance against the Saints gave him something to build on if injuries open the door later. Thomas has shown juice off the edge throughout camp, and this was his best look yet.
Doing it in live action against another team’s offensive line only strengthened his case moving forward.
In Other News...
Travis Hunters Jaguars Role Just Got A Lot More Serious
Travis Hunters most demanding day of Jaguars camp came Sunday, when practice No. 14 pushed him into a larger workload than he had seen before. He finished with 37 snaps in team periods, split between five on offense and 32 on defense, and he continued to show why Jacksonville has been willing to test just how far his two-way profile can go.
The day also offered a reminder of how quickly the assignment can stack up. Hunter nearly hauled in a tough pass on offense and spent much of the rest of the workout disrupting throws on defense, adding to a camp ledger that now sits at 70 offensive snaps and 137 defensive snaps in team periods. For a player already being asked to handle a unique role, the Jaguars are clearly leaning harder into the experiment as August moves on. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Camp Buzz Is Suddenly Centered On One Rookie And A Problem
Day 14 of Jaguars training camp brought a little of everything, and a lot of the attention was on rookie guard Emmanuel Pregnon after he held up well against the starting defensive line. The practice itself had a different feel too, with injuries thinning the group and leading to a less padded session, while linebacker Branson Combs made his own case by standing out in coverage during 7-on-7 work.
The more intriguing storyline may be how Travis Hunter is being deployed as camp grinds on, because the Jaguars are continuing to lean on him heavily on the defensive side. That has only added to the sense that Jacksonville is still sorting out how to maximize his skill set, especially in a camp where one rookie has already drawn notice up front and another is flashing on defense while the depth chart keeps shifting around him. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Linebacker Depth Takes Another Hit With Parker Hughes Setback
The Jaguars linebacker room has been hit again, with seventh-round rookie Parker Hughes headed to injured reserve as the team works through a string of injuries at the position. It is another setback for a depth chart that has already been stretched, and it leaves Jacksonville looking for more help in a part of the roster that can hardly afford another loss.
For Hughes, the move means his rookie season is over, though it also gives the Jaguars the chance to keep him around as a redshirt year while they sort through the rest of the group. The timing matters for Jacksonville because the transaction also clears a roster spot for veteran linebacker Jahlani Tavai, giving the team a little more flexibility as it tries to stabilize the position. [Read more 🡒]