JACKSONVILLE – Big plays and big hits ruled the day, with plenty of back and forth.

That was the theme for Jaguars' joint practice against the Carolina Panthers on a hot, intense Wednesday morning at the Miller Electric Center. The Jaguars on Day 16 of 2026 Training Camp came out ready to hit from the day's first play, and Head Coach Liam Coen liked what he saw.

"I thought our guys played hard," Coen said.

The Jaguars and Panthers, who are scheduled to play in Preseason Week 2 at EverBank Stadium Friday, practiced in full pads for about two hours Wednesday – with the Jaguars showing the physicality on both sides of the ball that Coen has stressed since his first day on the job.

"That's kind of what we challenged them with a little bit," Coen said, "to come out and set a tone and play fast instead of, 'Alright, we have to get punched in the mouth, then we respond.'

"That was nice to see us come out and start fast."

Safety Antonio Johnson calling the approach "a culture thing more than just a day thing."

"It's our culture," Johnson said following a practice in which he and rookie safety Jalen Huskey delivered two of the day's biggest hits. "We are coming downhill in the safety room. We're coming down with bad intentions. Even our corners, we are coming down with bad intentions.

"It's just a little glimpse of it today."

The Jaguars' first-and second-team offense and defense on Wednesday worked against the Panthers' respective units, with the starters taking most of the repetitions. Coen said Wednesday he remains unsure if the starters will play Friday.

The Jaguars' offense started Wednesday with several strong runs from running back Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. Tempers flared after the Jaguars' first offensive play, Jaguars offensive linemen Ezra Cleveland and Emmanuel Pregnon in the middle of a short "dust up" with the Panthers' defense after a run by Tuten.

"One of our mottos for the team is 'Jags picking up Jags,' " Rodriguez said. "If somebody's out there and whatever's going on out there, we don't want to be that group that's sitting back just letting it happen – especially when there's two or three more guys on one of our guys.

"We're going to go over and not really necessarily fight, but break it up or help our teammate out the best we can."

Said Coen, "You're trying to keep it clean, you're trying to get the work in. Then you're getting thrown around, you can't get punked either. I was appreciative there were no crazy fights. We had a couple scuffles, but I appreciate guys protecting one another, protecting the team, and not going to take shit."

The Jaguars maintained momentum throughout practice, with Tuten breaking several long runs and Rodriguez getting tough yards up the middle.

The Jaguars scored touchdowns on five of six red-zone plays early in practice, with quarterback Trevor Lawrence throwing touchdowns to tight ends Brenton Strange and Nate Boerkircher and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers.

Backup quarterback Nick Mullens also threw a touchdown to tight end Tanner Koziol, with running back J'Mari Taylor rushed for a touchdown after a key block from wide receiver Josh Cameron.

"When we got better in the red zone last year was when Trevor started using his legs, and we saw that again today," Coen said. "It's so hard to scheme wide-open or open receivers in the red zone. It's so much tighter. There's less vertical grass.

"Especially versus a three-man, four-man rush, it's challenging. And so, you watch around the league of the top red-zone touchdowns every week, and 90 percent of them are off schedule."

The Jaguars' defense ended the day strong, forcing a three-and-out from the Panthers on the final drive of team drills after a sack by linebacker Dennis Gardeck. The Jaguars' defensive front stood out throughout the day, with the pass-rush aggressively pursuing Panthers quarterback Bryce Young.

Still, Coen spoke of the need for a defense that forced 31 turnovers last season to show more in that area.

"We have to get our hands on some balls on defense," Coen said. "That's something that I've been a little disappointed with, is not getting any turnovers right now out of these two joint [practices against the Panthers Wednesday and the New Orleans Saints last week].

"I've been pleased with the technique and fundamentally trying to get to that sharp spot."

Here is a look at Wednesday's practice:

PLAY OF THE DAY

Multiple plays could have been Wednesday's play of the day, but one that stood out came from rookie wide receiver CJ Williams. Mullens threw into a tight window over the middle, and Williams made a sliding reception between two defenders while avoiding contact and protecting the ball to secure the catch. Williams has been a safety blanket all camp, and this was one of the best examples yet.

STANDING OUT

• Cameron had an impactful practice, making plays as a blocker while also hauling in a deep pass from Mullens.
• Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was a popular target for Lawrence between the 20s, with Lawrence completing every target he threw to Thomas until late in practice.
• Recording pass breakups defensively: Cornerbacks Jabbar Muhammad, Jarrian Jones and Travis Hunter.
• Rookie Emmanuel Pregnon once again worked extensively at starting left guard, registering impressive reps against the Panthers' defensive front.
• Strange had an active day, with his biggest catch coming on a chunk gain where ran away from coverage in the middle of the field before Lawrence found him.

INJURY WATCH

Wide receiver Paker Washington remained out of practice Wednesday, as did running back LeQuint Allen Jr., guard Patrick Mekari, guard Wyatt Milum and cornerback Jourdan Lewis. Defensive tackle Albert Regis also was out of practice. Offensive tackle Cole Van Lanen (knee) remained on the Physically Unable to Perform list to start camp.