Head coach Liam Coen rested his starters, including quarterback Trevor Lawrence, as the Jacksonville Jaguars fell 34-17 to the Carolina Panthers in a preseason matchup on August 21, 2026, at EverBank Stadium. The game was called with two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter due to impending bad weather.
The second week of the preseason brought a clear strategy from the Jacksonville sideline: protect the core roster. Head coach Liam Coen officially kept the starters off the field after initially indicating they might see brief action earlier in the week. With two upcoming joint practices against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the schedule, the coaching staff opted to avoid unnecessary injury risks.
That decision cleared the way for backups and rookies to log extended playing time against a Panthers squad that featured its starting offensive unit for the opening two series. Carolina capitalized early, marching 58 yards on seven plays to open the scoring when Jonathon Brooks scored on a 1-yard touchdown run.
Defensive Experiments and Backup Standouts
Jacksonville defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile utilized the contest to test aggressive passing-down packages. On the game’s first obvious passing down, the defense deployed a dime look featuring four linemen, a single linebacker, and six defensive backs. Branson Combs filled the lone linebacker role and blitzed past the running back to register a quarterback hit on Bryce Young, forcing an incompletion and an early punt.
In the offensive backfield, veteran running back Ameer Abdullah seized an opportunity for extended reps.
Rookie Wide Receivers and Quarterback Production
Sixth-round draft picks CJ Williams and Josh Cameron continued their strong training camp form into game action. Cameron caught both of his targets for 41 yards in the first half, including a 22-yard downfield grab.
“They’re such pros in terms of their process already. In terms of showing up early, leaving late, doing more, doing extra, being locked into the details … then coming out in the lights and making plays. Those guys are earning trust for sure, and they’re going to continue earn more.”
Liam Coen, Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach
Rookie quarterback Joey Aguilar also saw extended action after making a brief appearance against the New Orleans Saints. Aguilar completed 9 of 10 passes for 130 yards, connecting with fellow rookie Michael Wortham three times for 41 yards and throwing a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Trebor Peña.
Special Teams Consistency and Stadium Milestones
Kicker Cam Little maintained his high preseason accuracy by converting three field goals, capped by a 43-yard kick in the fourth quarter. Little has now made 20 of 21 field-goal attempts in preseason play since his rookie year in 2024.
“There’s been a handful, maybe more than a handful, a couple handfuls of really critical construction milestones. Getting the demolition done and then getting it back up to play the season was a big one. The next big one that our fans can see as they go through the season is when the steel structure supporting the roof is complete. That should be the first quarter of next year. There’s no question it gets you excited. It’s also an affirmation that you’re on schedule.”
Mark Lamping, Jacksonville Jaguars President
The Jaguars return to the practice field to prepare for their final preseason test, hosting two joint sessions with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before closing out the preseason schedule at EverBank Stadium on August 28, 2026.
