Game Balls From Jaguars' Preseason Efforts vs. Panthers: Cam Little Remains Perfect

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars may not have come through with a win against the Carolina Panthers in their second preseason game of the 2026 schedule. but there were still some performances worth recognizing.

So, which Jaguars deserve game balls after the 34-17 loss to the Panthers at EverBank Stadium on Friday night? We take a look at all three units and the best performances from each to hand out this week's top honors.

Offense

Ameer Abdullah

Ameer Abdullah gets the nod this week, and it is easy to see why. He rushed for 45 yards on just six attempts thanks to a stellar 23-yard run, while he also added three catches for 37 yards. That is 82 yards from scrimmage on just nine touches, with Abdullah taking complete advantage of the potential open spot on the running back depth chart after LeQuint Allen's injury.

"I mean I think game action is the only way you can truly prepare for the game of football," Abdullah said after the game. "You know of course practice gets your timing down, but really taking on blocks, really taking on tackles, feeling yourself go through the hole when guys are really trying to tackle you is the best way to prepare for the game. So, I’m just glad that I was out there and able to go out there and execute today."

There were some other options for this one. Nick Mullens would have been a perfect 7-for-7 with a touchdown if Abdullah had not made his one negative play of the night on a dropped touchdown in the red-zone. Mullens has looked much better than he did last week against the New Orleans Saints, and it led to success on Friday. Joey Aguilar also only threw one incompletion while averaging 13 yards per attempt with a touchdown pass. Trebor Peña's four catches for 72 yards and a touchdown also stood out.

Defense

Ventrell Miller

This one is a bit tougher. The Jaguars' defense had a solid first drive in which they forced a quick punt from the Panthers' starting offense and Bryce Young, but the Panthers then scored on four of their next five drives. The Jaguars' defense recorded no sacks, no takeaways, no pass breakups, and just two tackles for loss. In short, not many big plays were made.

With that said, it did seem like Ventrell Miller had a solid outing. He racked up three tackles and looked as physical as always against the run, making some strong run fits for the Jaguars as the Panthers tried to get their ground game going. When it comes to a game with so few explosive plays from the defense, that kind of performance stands out.

Special Teams

Cam Little

Cam Little went for the hat trick against the Panthers, making all three of his field goal attempts after also going perfect against the New Orleans Saints a week ago. Sans a miss in joint practice this week and one in the team scrimmage at the very start of camp, Little has been terrific for the Jaguars since they got back on the field.

This one would have gone to long snapper Ross Matiscik after he forced a fumble on special teams, but the Panthers' returner was ruled down by contact. The Jaguars' physical long-snapper is good for a few of those types of hits a year, though, and we can expect to see him get a game ball at some point this year as a result.

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