4 Jaguars Whose Roster Chances Could Hinge on Performance vs. Panthers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Friday night's preseason battle with the Carolina Panthers could prove to be an important stage for a number of Jacksonville Jaguars.

After a physical joint practice with the Panthers on Wednesday, the Jaguars are set to host their home preseason opener at EverBank Stadium with their eyes geared toward preparing for Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns.

So, which Jaguars need a strong game vs. the Panthers to ensure they are on the roster when the time comes to kick-off against the Browns on Sept. 13? We break it down below.

LB Jalen McLeod

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Patrick Herbert (88), left, drills with linebacker Jalen McLeod (35) during the third day of NFL Training Camp at the Miller Electric Center on Friday, July 31, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

One player who likely still has to show something to earn his spot on the Jaguars' 53-man roster is second-year linebacker Jalen McLeod. He was dressed for practice on Wednesday after missing several days with an injury, including missing last week's preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints. For a player who missed his entire rookie season, McLeod needs all of the live reps he can get in front of the Jaguars' coaching staff.

After the way Yasir Abdullah flashed both on special teams and on defense last week, McLeod will need a strong finish to training camp to find his spot. He has some real talent as a pass-rusher with the versatility to be more, but he needs to be available for some live reps after the situation he dealt with a year ago.

LB Jahlani Tavai

With the Jaguars placing rookie linebacker Parker Hughes on season-ending injured reserve earlier this week, there is a real chance that Jahlani Tavai can earn a spot on the 53-man roster moving forward. Linebacker injuries have struck the Jaguars' defense at multiple times over the course of training camp, and Friday gives Tavai the platform he needs to take advantage of it.

The Jaguars' staff has had a lot of praise for Tavai since he signed with the franchise a few weeks ago, and he should get plenty of reps on Friday. With a strong game, he could position himself to be one of the top backup linebackers on the entire depth chart after not being on the roster at the very start of training camp.

CB Christian Braswell

Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Christian Braswell (21) catches a pass during Day 11 of NFL training camp at the Miller Electric Center on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Veteran Jaguars cornerback Christian Braswell entered the summer needing to have a strong training camp after the rapid rise of second-year cornerback Jabbar Muhammad in the spring offseason program. Braswell was given a bit of a hurdle at the start of camp when an injury limited him to no team reps, but he was back on the field against the Saints last weekend and now appears to be fully back in the swing of things.

Muhammad has been a consistent playmaker for the Jaguars over the last several months, which means Braswell is going to have to make some plays of his own to start standing out. With the Jaguars' top four cornerbacks not expected to play vs. the Panthers, this could be his chance to do just that.

TE Hunter Long

I came into the spring thinking the Jaguars were clearly going to keep four tight ends on their roster: Brenton Strange, Nate Boerkircher, Tanner Koziol, and Quintin Morris. Now that we are a few weeks into training camp, I am unsure if the Jaguars do keep four tight ends. I am even more unsure whether Morris would be the fourth tight end.

It would be fair to say that veteran backup tight end Hunter Long has been the team's fourth-most impressive tight end over the course of camp, and he did catch a touchdown last week against the Saints. If he can take a step forward against the Panthers, he could do himself plenty of favors when it comes to fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster.

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