The Jaguars got another encouraging sign on Thursday, and this one centered on running back LeQuint Allen.
After sitting out Wednesday’s practice, Allen was upgraded to limited participation on Thursday, a notable step with only three days left before Jacksonville opens the 2026 season. Because Thursday sessions are typically more demanding than Friday’s work, getting Allen on the field at this point suggests real progress rather than a last-minute placeholder rep.
That matters because head coach Liam Coen has repeatedly said he wants to see players practice in some capacity before they suit up. Allen’s Thursday return doesn’t lock him in for Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns, but it does push him closer to playing than he was a day earlier.
Allen has been dealing with a soft tissue injury he suffered during training camp, and it’s kept him out for roughly the last three weeks. He also missed the joint practices with the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers to close camp. Earlier this month, Coen said he would be “pleasantly surprised” if Allen was ready for Week 1, though the outlook has improved enough for the rookie to get some work in now.
Coen said Wednesday that Allen, along with offensive tackle Cole Van Lanen, would be a game-time decision before Sunday’s kickoff.
"It's been a while. We'll have to work through it, but I have a lot of faith in LeQuint and trust in him to be able to know the game plan and give us a chance if he's ready to go in that workout. I'll feel confident that he can come in and help our team," Coen said.
Allen’s value goes beyond the box score. He’s an important piece for Jacksonville’s offense, especially with the Browns bringing a legitimate pass rush.
Last season, Allen stood out as a pass-blocker and put himself in the conversation as one of the NFL’s best blocking backs. If he can’t take another step by Sunday, the Jaguars will need the rest of their running back room to shoulder that load.
Grant Udinski made clear how much that kind of work matters.
"I love to see the way those guys have embraced that role because it is such an important role, and you so often get no credit. It doesn't show up on the stat sheet," Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski said Wednesday.
"Running backs want what? They want touchdowns, they want yards, and those guys have truly embraced that and they really hang their hat on that being an advantage for us, not just something that they have to do, that's something that they get to do, that's something that's a big part of our offense."
In Other News...
Jaguars Fans Heading To The Opener Need To Know This First
The Jaguars 2026 home opener against the Browns comes with a little more planning than usual, thanks to the ongoing renovations at EverBank Stadium. With seating capacity reduced, the team has put out detailed guidance on parking, traffic flow and which entry gates fans should use, a reminder that getting in and getting settled may take a bit more patience than it has in past Septembers.
The opener also doubles as the clubs 9/11 Remembrance game, so there will be added ceremony before kickoff. Along with the memorial observance, the Jaguars are planning a naturalization oath ceremony and recognition of military veterans, making it one of those early-season dates where the football, the pageantry and the logistics all come together at once. [Read more 🡒]
Browns May Have A Week 1 Weapon Jaguars Cant Ignore
Clevelands quarterback picture remains one of the more intriguing parts of the Browns outlook, and it is part of what makes their Week 1 matchup with the Jaguars so tricky to handicap. Chris Pokorny pointed to the uncertainty under center, the defensive talent still on the roster, and the way first-time head coach Todd Monken could shape the offense as the Browns try to settle into a new identity heading into 2026.
For Jacksonville, the challenge is less about a single headline and more about the collective stress the Browns can put on a season opener. The trade of Myles Garrett changed the look of Clevelands defense, but the Browns still have enough pieces to make life difficult, and the quarterback conversation around Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders only adds another layer of unpredictability. When a team is still sorting out who it wants to be, it can be dangerous right away. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Are Still Betting On Deshaun Watson Against The Jaguars
Deshaun Watson is set to open the season as Clevelands starter, and the Browns are carrying that decision into a tough early stretch that includes the Jaguars in Week 1. Offensive coordinator Travis Switzer said Watson will be under center when the Browns line up against Jacksonville, while also noting the expectation that the quarterback will settle in more comfortably as the offense unfolds.
For Jacksonville, it adds another layer to a season opener that already had plenty of weight. The Browns are leaning on Watsons experience even with the injury concerns that have followed him, and they are planning to keep him in place for the next two games as well, including a matchup with Tampa Bay. It leaves the Jaguars preparing for a familiar name with a less familiar level of certainty around him. [Read more 🡒]