The Jaguars’ joint practice with the Panthers on Wednesday, Aug. 19, should give Jacksonville a fresh look at where things stand as camp rolls on. The teams are scheduled for a 105 minute practice session at the Miller Electric Center, and the setting should produce the kind of controlled, game-like reps both sides want before the regular season gets here.
These sessions tend to turn into small wars within the larger practice, and this one offers several matchups worth tracking closely.
One of the biggest is Travis Hunter against Tetairoa McMillian. The two were among the top names in the 2025 NFL Draft, and they’ll get another chance to line up against each other after meeting in college and in their NFL debut last season.
McMillian won the first college meeting with nine catches for 107 yards and a touchdown. The second college matchup was quieter for him, when he finished with just three catches.
Their first NFL clash was even more limited, with Hunter bringing McMillian down after a short gain. Wednesday gives them another shot to settle things on the practice field.
Another matchup to keep an eye on is Devin Lloyd against Jacksonville’s rushing attack. Lloyd, who became one of the top players in the NFL during his time in Jacksonville, now comes back to face his former team.
Carolina’s defense will be put to the test by a Jaguars ground game that has made a point of establishing the run in preseason, including against the Saints in last week’s opener. The Panthers were 20th in run defense in 2025, so this should serve as a useful measuring stick for both sides.
Then there’s Brian Thomas Jr. against Jaycee Horn, a pairing that carries some real intrigue. Trevor Lawrence’s last game against the Panthers ended with Horn making a leaping one-handed interception, and Jacksonville will want to avoid a repeat of that kind of moment.
Thomas has started the preseason strong as he tries to move past a rough 2025 campaign, and he’s already shown the ability to win downfield and make tough contested grabs with defenders on him. Horn, meanwhile, is coming off a career-best five interceptions last season and has grown into a true top corner for Carolina.
That should make for a lively battle whenever those two are matched up.
In Other News...
Jaguars Tackle Depth Just Entered A Trade Rumor Fans Will Notice
Washingtons left tackle situation changed quickly after Laremy Tunsil suffered a torn triceps that will require surgery and is expected to keep him out for a significant portion of the 2026 season. Dan Quinn has already pointed to Brandon Coleman as the starter on the blind side, and for now the Commanders are saying they do not plan to go outside the building for help. Still, with the depth chart at a premium spot suddenly looking thinner, any team with a capable tackle is going to draw attention.
Thats where Jacksonville naturally enters the conversation, at least in a speculative sense, because Walker Little is the kind of name that can surface when another club is searching for stability up front. For the Jaguars, the wrinkle is obvious: there have been no public trade talks, and Little is currently hurt, which makes any move more complicated than the rumor mill might suggest. Even so, it is the sort of background noise that tends to follow a team with a usable tackle and a league with a lot of teams quietly watching the same position. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Camp Injuries Just Raised The Stakes For Several Roster Battles
The Jaguars roster battles got a little more complicated this week after the team delivered a fresh round of injury updates before its joint practice with the Panthers. Parker Washington is dealing with an undisclosed issue, Wyatt Milum will sit out the rest of the week, and LeQuint Allen is out for the remainder of training camp with a soft tissue injury, while Patrick Mekari has already gone through back surgery and still has an uncertain timetable for any injured reserve move.
For a team sorting through depth chart decisions in late August, the timing matters as much as the names. Washington has been part of a crowded competition at receiver, so every missed practice rep counts, and the absences elsewhere only tighten the numbers as Jacksonville tries to evaluate who can stay on the field and keep pushing through camp. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars May Be Leaning One Way With Travis Hunter After All
Travis Hunter has spent Jaguars training camp doing the rare double-duty act the team signed up for, working both cornerback and wide receiver while Jacksonville sorts out how best to use one of its most unique rookies. In recent practices, though, the emphasis has tilted more heavily toward defense, a sign the Jaguars are trying to make sure Hunter is ready for a meaningful role on that side of the ball without taking him out of the offensive mix.
Head coach Liam Coen has made it clear the increased cornerback workload is no accident, part of a deliberate plan to get Hunter more comfortable with the mental side of the position as well as the physical demands. Even with that shift, the Jaguars still view him as a key piece on offense, and the expectation remains that he will keep playing both ways as camp moves along. [Read more 🡒]