5 Observations on the Jaguars' Preseason Loss to Panthers: Liam Coen Makes Right Call

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The preseason is alive and strong in Duval.

The Jaguars wrapped up Week 2 of the preseason against the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Stadium on Friday night ___

So, what did we see from the Jaguars and their backups against the Panthers, and what does it mean moving forward? We break it all down below, live from the action in Jacksonville.

Real Test For Starters is Next Week

liam coe — Aug 15, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen looks on against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Outside of whichever linebacker starts between Ventrell Miller and Branson Combs, the Jaguars did not have a single starter dress for Friday's game against the Panthers. Things seemed to trend in that direction as the week went on, and it eventually became clear that this was the only direction the Jaguars could really go in. That means the real test for the starters will come one way or another next week against the Carolina Panthers.

Whether the Jaguars would any players of significant 16 days before Week 1 once the preseason finale is here next Friday remains to be seen, but the Jaguars will have two joint practices with the Buccaneers before then. That should give the Jaguars all of the time they need to put together what they want to

Jaguars Will Make 3rd Downs Interesting

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile coaches during the second day of minicamp at the Miller Electric Center, Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in Jacksonville. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Third downs were already interesting for the Jaguars' defense last season, with defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile throwing everything and the kitchen sink at opposing offenses. The way Campanile deployed passing-down looks was a direct factor to the Jaguars' massive improvement in terms of turnovers, and it appears he is looking to do more of the same when the Jaguars' defense takes the field in 2026.

On the first obvious passing down of the game, the Jaguars deployed the package that I expect will be their most popular passing-down package this season: a dime look with four defensive linemen, one linebacker, and six defensive backs. The Jaguars have experimented a ton with this kind of package in camp, using it to get four cornerbacks on the field together or to get three safeties alongside three cornerbacks.

The Jaguars got good results from their first look of it on Friday, too. Combs was the lone linebacker on the field, and he was sent by Campanile as a blitzer. He beat the running back and recorded a quarterback hit on Bryce Young to force the incompletion and a punt in the process.

Jonathon Brooks isn't going to see the field on 3rd down much if he can't pass protect pic.twitter.com/cNuQfEic7v
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) August 21, 2026

Rookie WRs Flash

josh cameron — Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Josh Cameron (19) catches a pass after Day 15 of NFL training camp at the Miller Electric Center on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The first-team offense the Jaguars rolled out on Friday night had very few players who will get snaps by the time the regular-season rolls around, which meant eyes were always going to be fixed on rookie receivers CJ Williams and Josh Cameron. The sixth-round picks did not disappoint, either, with each following up their strong performances from Wednesday's joint practices with even stronger ones against the Panthers on Friday.

Cameron and Williams each played for most of the first half, and they proved to be the favorite targets for the Jaguars' backup duo of Nick Mullens and Carter Bradley. Cameron caught both of his two targets for 41 yards, including a stellar rep on a downfield route on a 22-yard gain in the first quarter where he was able to stack the cornerback and then pluck the ball out of the air.

Williams stood out a good bit as well, catching all four of his targets for 22 yards. He did not generate an explosive play like Cameron did, but he was used as a reliable possession receiver who kept the offense on schedule, and he was able to do exactly that. It was a good night for the young guys.

Jaguars Are Playing It Very, Very Safe With Their OL

Jacksonville Jaguars guard Emmanuel Pregnon (75) runs a drill during warm ups before hosting the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Stadium in the second preseason game on Friday night, August 21, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Jaguars' starting offensive line on Friday night as was follows: Kilian Zierer, Ricky Lee, Sam Mustipher, Sam Carvin, and Jimto Obidegwu. None of these players are expected to be on the Jaguars' 53-man roster in a few weeks, and the Jaguars essentially rolled out their complete third-team unit instead of playing any starters or even second-teamers.

Considering the injuries the Jaguars have faced at the offensive line position over the last few weeks, this seems like the only call the Jaguars could have made. They were never going to play clear starters like Anton Harrison, Ezra Cleveland, or Robert Hainsey, but it also would not have made much sense for the Jaguars to risk an injury to Emmanuel Pregnon or Jonah Monheim.

Add in Chuma Edoga and Wyatt Milum being banged up and Daniel Faalele just getting here a few days ago, and this was quite the makeshift offensive line. I would expect we get a closer look at what a Week 1 starting offensive line might look like in joint practices with the Buccaneers next week.

Ameer Abdullah Catches the Eye

If there is one player who seems like he did a lot for his stock on Friday night, it was veteran backup running back Ameer Abdullah. The 12th-year pro has clearly taken the role of RB4 throughout the course of camp and has been over the likes of J'Mari Taylor and DeeJay Dallas on the depth chart, and he could have the chance to actually see the field at the start of the year considering the injury that the Jaguars are now dealing with when it comes to LeQuint Allen.

If Friday's showing was any indication, Abdullah still has something left in the tank to give. It wasn't all perfect since he did drop a touchdown pass in the red-zone early in the game, but he had an explosive 23-yard run that showed speed and the ability to force missed tackles in the open field. He also had an 18-yard catch-and-run that displayed the value he can still bring the Jaguars in the passing game.

Abdullah's exact role and importance will have to rely on the status of Allen, but it is more than fair to say that he has done enough to at least earn the consideration in Allen's time off the field.

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