The Jaguars’ preseason schedule rolls on Friday night, but the real action is happening in the roster fight. With EverBank Stadium in the middle of construction and the first-string spotlight still uncertain, Jacksonville’s matchup with the Panthers is shaping up as another important look at the players battling for spots.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., though head coach Liam Coen said Wednesday he still wasn’t sure whether the starters would play after the two teams wrapped up a spirited joint practice at the Miller Electric Center. That leaves the night tilted toward depth charts, not star power.
For fans making the trip, the stadium situation is part of the story too. Capacity has dropped to 42,507 because the upper decks are closed during construction, a setup that should be manageable in the preseason but will matter more once the regular season begins. The Jaguars are also scheduled to play home games in 2027 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
The game will air on CBS 47 and stream on Fubo, which offers a free trial. It will also be carried on 1010AM and 92.5 FM.
Jacksonville comes in off a 24-20 preseason win over the Saints in Week 1, while Carolina lost to the Cardinals 33-30 in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 6.
A lot of the intrigue for the Jaguars starts up front. The offensive line has been in constant motion, with the team trading for Giants lineman Daniel Faalele on Wednesday and signing Timothy McKay on Thursday. Jacksonville also activated Cole Van Lanen from the physically unable to perform list after he’d been out since injuring his knee and later having surgery in Week 18 last season.
The injuries have piled up in camp, too. Projected starter Patrick Mekari underwent back surgery this week, and his availability for the season is still up in the air. All of that has opened the door for rookie Emmanuel Pregnon and second-year player Jonah Monheim to get more snaps.
There’s a similar opening at running back. Undrafted free agent J’Mari Taylor led the Jaguars in rushing in the preseason opener against New Orleans, and that kind of performance can change a player’s path fast.
Taylor entered camp looking like a long shot, but with second-year back LeQuint Allen Jr. out for the rest of the preseason because of a soft tissue injury, the door may be cracking open. Taylor is also competing with veterans Deejay Dallas and Ameer Abdullah.
At backup quarterback, Nick Mullens’ preseason opener went badly before he exited with an injury. Carter Bradley looked better after that, though it came against second- and third-team competition. Mullens is still probably safe as Trevor Lawrence’s backup, but if the rough play continues, Coen and general manager James Gladstone may have to look around.
The most meaningful battle on the field may be at linebacker, where Ventrell Miller and Branson Combs are fighting for the chance to replace Devin Lloyd. Miller brings more experience and stronger run defense.
Combs, who started out as a receiver in college before moving to linebacker, offers more in pass coverage. Miller has a slight edge right now, but nothing has been settled.
Among the rookies and younger players making noise in camp, receivers CJ Williams and Josh Cameron have stacked up several highlight plays. Pregnon got off to a slow start but put together a solid preseason debut against the Saints.
Cameron also has a possible route to playing time because he’s in the mix for punt return duties. Tight ends Tanner Koziol and Nate Boerkircher have also shown flashes during camp.
In Other News...
Trevor Lawrence Decision Puts Jaguars At A Real Preseason Crossroads
The Jaguars are still weighing whether Trevor Lawrence and the rest of the first team will take the field in Saturdays preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, a choice that now feels more meaningful than a typical August tune-up. Liam Coen has left the door open both ways, pointing to recent injuries and what he has seen in practice as the factors shaping the decision, with the team still having more work ahead in practice and joint sessions before the regular season opener.
For a Jacksonville team trying to find the right balance between getting ready and staying healthy, this is the kind of call that can say as much about the staffs priorities as anything on the field. The final answer is expected within 24 hours, and whether Lawrence plays or not, the Jaguars are entering a preseason stretch where every rep seems to carry a little more weight than usual. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Tight End Battle Is Suddenly Putting Liam Coens Vision To The Test
Training camp has already started to show how Liam Coen wants his offense to look, and the Jaguars tight end room is one of the clearer signs. Nate Boerkircher and Tanner Koziol, the teams two recent draft picks at the position, have both been worked into the mix as Jacksonville sorts out how much value it can get from a group that is being asked to do more than just fill space on the field.
Boerkircher brings a reputation for blocking, but there is also growing belief he can chip in as a receiver, especially around the red zone. Koziol offers a different look as a pass-catching threat who is willing to block, and that combination has already pushed veterans Quintin Morris and Hunter Long further down the depth chart. For a coaching staff trying to build a tight end rotation that fits Coens vision, the competition is starting to say as much as the playbook. [Read more 🡒]
Trevor Lawrence Still Has One Big Question In Jaguars Camp
The Jaguars got a small boost in camp with offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen coming off the PUP list, and they should have another familiar face back in the mix soon. Parker Washington is expected to return to practice next week after missing time with an undisclosed injury, a welcome development for a receiver who broke out in 2025 and is now entering the final year of his rookie contract.
Washingtons return matters for more than just depth. He has become part of the conversation around how Jacksonville wants to shape Trevor Lawrences supporting cast, and getting him back on the field gives the offense another chance to sort through roles and rhythm before the real evaluation begins. The bigger question is how quickly Washington can pick back up once he returns, because the Jaguars have plenty riding on the pieces around Lawrence settling in the right way. [Read more 🡒]