JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser examines five storylines to watch for the Jaguars in their 2026 Preseason Week 2 game against the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville Friday
1.Will they or won't they? This is a key question as Friday approaches, with Head Coach Liam Coen uncertain as the latter part of the week approached about whether he will play starters and front-line players against the Panthers. He entered the preseason saying it was unlikely starters would play much – if at all – in any of the three preseason games. After the Jaguars' starters had a less-than-ideal practice against the New Orleans Saints leading to a Preseason Week 1 victory, Coen said this past Monday he was considering playing the front-line players Friday because opportunities for that group to get good preseason work were dwindling. The Jaguars on Wednesday had a productive practice at the Miller Electric Center against the Panthers. Coen said after that he was reconsidering whether to play starters Friday. That was a significant lean toward the starters not playing in the preseason home opener. As for what will happen … we will learn for sure Friday at 7 p.m.
2.An issue of depth. Whether starters play will decide how much some of these storylines pertain specifically to Friday, but offensive line depth has emerged as a main preseason Jaguars issue. Guard Patrick Mekari, a starter last season, underwent recent back surgery and is expected to be out early in the regular season. Guard Wyatt Milum, who was expected to compete with Mekari in training camp, has been out of practice recently and the Jaguars on Thursday traded a seventh-round selection in the 2027 NFL Draft to the New York Giants for guard Daniel Faalele. A positive here: Tackle Cole Van Lanen, on the Physically Unable to Perform list with a knee injury to start camp, was moved to the active roster Thursday. Rookie guard Emmanuel Pregnon has impressed recently, and could push to make the Jaguars' early season starting five as follows: Left tackle Anton Harrison, Pregnon, veteran Robert Hainsey, right guard Ezra Cleveland and Van Lanen. Injury issues here may mean a slew of reserves playing Friday to secure roster and practice-squad spots.
3.Another chance to shine. A major positive for the Jaguars in Preseason Week 1 was the play of multiple rookies and young players pushing for contributing roles, bigger roles and roster spots: Cornerback Jabbar Muhammad, running back J'Mari Taylor, wide receivers Josh Cameron, CJ Williams and Trebor Peña, defensive end B.J. Green II. Those weren't the only strong performances against New Orleans, but all could solidify positions and roles with strong performances Friday.
4.Pressure, pressure, pressure. This ties in a bit with young players having a chance to shine because a major preseason storyline is young pass rushers such as Green, Danny Striggow, Wesley Williams and Zach Durfee developing and competing for roles behind veteran ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. Multiple players from that group figure to play early snaps Friday along with rookie Bryan Thomas Jr., an undrafted free agent who had a strong game with a sack against the Saints. The thought here is the Jaguars may keep six ends on the regular-season roster, with five often active on game day. The young players in this group are increasingly showing signs of contributing significantly to the pass rush. The more quality snaps they get during the preseason, the better.
5.Quarterback spotlight. Backup quarterback Nick Mullens will start Friday if the starters don't play, Coen said Wednesday. This was something of a question because Mullens missed practice Monday after sustaining what Coen called "a little nick" against the Saints. Mullens completed three of seven passes for 33 yards with an interception in that game, with Coen on Wednesday saying, "When he has time and there are things happening in rhythm for him, things are good. I trust Nick." Third-team quarterback Carter Bradley completed 10 of 17 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown with an interception against the Saints and rookie Joey Aguilar completed his only pass attempt for 43 yards.
