The Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Panthers will compete in preseason football from EverBank Stadium on Aug. 21. The two teams held joint practice earlier in the week, getting a chance for game-like work in a controlled environment.
Now, younger players will take the spotlight as a majority of reps will go to players who are vying for an end of roster spot before cut down day on Aug. 30.
Head coach Liam Coen was unsure if starters would see any game action, needing to further evaluate the health of the roster after joint practice wrapped up.
“The whole point of it is to try to get more continued continuity and chemistry and some game experience,”
Coen said after practice on Aug. 19. The Jaguars had a lengthy injury list prior to competing in joint practices. “So, I'm just not quite sure yet.”
If starters play, the rope won’t be long for them as the team heads into the final week of the preseason. The work the team got against the Panthers was largely positive, especially on offense as Trevor Lawrence had a sharp day against Carolina’s starting defense.
Lawrence tossed several redzone touchdowns and was able to move the ball well against the Panthers. Defensively, the Jaguars were able to push the pocket a bit and pressure quarterback Bryce Young.
“We treat it as a game and guys did a good job of taking care of business,” Lawrence said after the practice. “I thought, like I said, we did some really good things. So who knows, I’ll let coach make those decisions, but I do think that we got the most out of today and we got better.”
Rookie WR CJ Williams continues to make plays during training camp
One of the most consistent performers throughout training camp has been rookie wide receiver CJ Williams. The sixth round pick has made plays nearly everyday and always finds himself in good positions.
That continued against Carolina where he made a sliding catch through two defenders. He made a similar sliding catch behind the defense on the opening day of training camp.
CJ Williams...@Dream_Finders | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/6vACTthkTv
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 19, 2026
Williams is in a crowded receiver room, but he’s made the most of his opportunities. He’s attacked the process the right way and the results have been evident on the field.
“Learning the playbook and trying to be in it as much as possible, that’s the least I can do,” Williams said earlier in training camp. “I have the opportunity to play in the NFL. While I’m here doing my job, let me do it to the best of my ability.”
Williams was second on the team in receiving yards with two catches for 28 yards against the Saints. Expect for him and other young receivers to get a ton of reps during the game as they continue to gain experience in the league.
Jalen Huskey is making the most of his live reps during training camp
A player who’s emerged in the last week has been rookie defensive back Jalen Huskey. He had a good performance in the Jaguars’ preseason opening victory against New Orleans and carried that momentum into training camp this week.
Huskey had the touchdown-saving tackle on the opening kickoff and made a pass breakup early in the game against the Saints. He finished the contest with five tackles, good for second-best in the game.
He had a good showing in joint practice, laying a thundering hit on tight end Feleipe Franks on the sideline. He was fiery in the practice and that’ll likely continue in game action.
He was a player who was having a quiet camp, but has shown up a lot since the team went to padded practices. With a chance for more game reps, he’ll have another opportunity to get his feet wet in Anthony Campanile’s system.
Rookie offensive guard Emmanuel Pregnon draws praise from coaching staff
It’s no secret that Jacksonville’s offensive line is banged up right now. A bright spot has been the emergence of rookie Emmanuel Pregnon, though. Pregnon played well in the contest against the Saints and drew praise from the coaching staff this week.
“I think that you see the physicality, you see the strength, you see the athleticism, you see the speed,” offensive coordinator Grant Udinski said. “And he's able to showcase that stuff now because he has a better understanding of the system, a better understanding of his rules.”
Udinski gave the rookie credit for staying late to study and doing recovery work. He said he’s seen him at the facility as late as 10 p.m. finishing up his recovery, which would amount to more than 12 hours in the building given how early the team starts each day.
#Jaguars rookie RG Emmanuel Pregnon (#75)
— Gus Logue (@gus_logue) August 16, 2026
every snap from Preseason Week 1 vs NO pic.twitter.com/kgV205Ezg2
He was seen as a draft steal, initially thought of as a starter-in-waiting at guard. But Pregnon has entered the starting lineup for the Jaguars as several players have been shuffled around.
He’s done well in the reps, holding his own in joint practices and in the game last week.
“Did some really nice things. Moved people in one-on-one situations, de-cleated a guy on a pull,” Coen said. “Actually, on the interception, had an unbelievable block where he de-cleated a guy on a cleanup. He flashed. That was for sure.”
As the Jaguars try to solidify a group of five to put in front of Lawrence, watch for Pregnon to be a potential starter when the season begins.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Liam Coen is unsure if starters will play in preseason game vs. Panthers
