JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton, team reporter Kainani Stevens and correspondent John Shipley offer quick thoughts as the Jaguars move forward to Preseason Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at EverBank Stadium Friday

Oehser…

1. On to Tampa. A 34-17 loss to the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Stadium in Preseason Week 2 Friday wasn't pretty, but the Jaguars should be encouraged by at least one area: Wide receiver, where a trio of rookies – Josh Cameron, CJ Williams and Trebor Peña – continue to impress. Cameron and Williams have impressed since joining the team as sixth-round selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. They combined for six receptions for 63 yards Friday, with Head Coach Liam Coen saying after the game, "Those guys are earning trust for sure and they're going to continue to earn more." The same is true of Peña, who signed with the Jaguars as a collegiate free agent following the 2026 NFL Draft – and who caught four passes for 72 yards and a 29-yard touchdown Saturday. The thought here is Cameron and Williams will be on the regular-season roster if healthy, and that Peña is capable of being a practice-squad player the team can trust to contribute. That's a lot of potential production from the late rounds and undrafted free agency, and that's a positive sign for a steadily improving roster.
2. Getting closer. The Jaguars' offensive line has reshaped during 2026 Training Camp – and as Friday's preseason finale approaches, we could have a feel for how that group will look. The Jaguars on Thursday activated tackle Cole Van Lanen from the Physically Unable to Perform list, with Coen on Friday saying that Van Lanen – who finished last season starting at left tackle – will work on the right side as he returns to the lineup. That means Anton Harrison will remain on the left side, where he has worked during '26 camp after starting his first three NFL seasons at right tackle. This came the same week in which rookie third-round selection Emmanuel Pregnon began working consistently at first-team left guard. Ezra Cleveland, last season's starting left guard, has worked at right guard. That means the starting unit early in the season if healthy may be Harrison (left tackle), Pregnon (left guard), Robert Hainsey (center), Cleveland (right guard) and Van Lanen (right tackle). That's a lot of change from the end of last season, when the line was Van Lanen (left tackle), Cleveland (left guard), Hainsey (center), Patrick Mekari (right guard) and Harrison (right tackle). A mark of the Jaguars under Coen is being willing to work different players at various positions to find the best personnel groupings. That has happened again in a major way on the offensive line.

Sexton…

1. Earning attention. When the Jaguars signed Ameer Abdullah in the spring, I didn't think anything of it. He's 33, in his 12^th NFL training camp – and he's on a team that drafted Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr. in 2025, signed Chris Rodriguez Jr. in 2026 free agency and added J'Mari Taylor as a collegiate free agent after the 2026 NFL Draft. Coen surprised me in New Orleans when he said Abdullah will be a hard guy to release, and Abdullah showed what Coen meant Friday night. He ran with quickness, vision and a touch of power in amassing 45 yards on the ground and he caught three passes for 47 yards. He was impressive. "He showed up tonight and it's what we've seen in practice," Coen said. "You talk about a pro's pro, a guy who does everything right. He's one of the first guys in the building, along with [wide receiver] Parker [Washington]. He takes care of himself, treats himself right in terms of his body, and getting his mind right for practice every day. He was able to show up tonight and look a little better than everyone else." It will be interesting to see if Allen's soft-tissue injury will mean Abdullah making the 53-player roster – or if the Jaguars can get him through waivers onto their practice squad. Most "good stories" of a camp focus on young players making the roster; this one defies convention.
2. Practice matters. Friday's loss to the Panthers featured too many penalties, turnovers and mistakes to feel good about what we saw. Which is why Wednesday's joint practice with the Panthers was so important. "I definitely liked what I saw from the joint practice, for sure," Coen said. "I was pleased with the physicality, the effort, the energy and a lot of the execution. There is a ton to continue to clean up here, obviously. [The joint practice] was a step in the right direction as you look at – not necessarily milestones in Training Camp, but – good moments [we] can draw on and say, 'Hey, that's our brand of football on display against another quality opponent.''' Preseason games have never been especially pleasing to watch – even more so now that starters often don't play. The Jaguars hope to have another strong showing on Tuesday and Wednesday against the Buccaneers in Jacksonville.

Stevens…

1. More motivation moving forward. We've surpassed the Dog Days of training camp, but fatigue may have shown through against the Panthers. While starters did not play, the lack of fundamentals and self-inflicted mistakes is concerning. Coen said after Friday's loss he wants more mentorship from veterans so there isn't such a stark dropoff between the groups. There is a difference in skill level, but avoiding penalties and playing clean should be the minimum going forward.
2. Some flashes and some opportunity. There were bright moments early from rookies Cameron and Williams, with Cameron playing the role of the bigger – and more physical – receiver that this team sometimes has lacked the past few seasons. Williams is more of a tactician and is very cerebral about how he approaches the game. While I believe Cameron and Williams will make the roster regardless, recent injuries at receiver could increase their playing time early. Veteran receiver Parker Washington missed practice last week and veteran Jakobi Meyers wore a brace on his hand after jamming it in practice. That's something to watch entering the final week of training camp.

Shipley…

1. Impressive showing. Abdullah simply continues to show up. He has made several standout plays in practice throughout training camp, and the 12th-year veteran had his best night yet with the team Friday. The Jaguars started him with Tuten and Rodriguez Jr. sitting – and with Allen injured – and he took advantage in a big way. Abdullah made some of the game's biggest plays, including a 23-yard run down the right sideline on which he made a cornerback try to tackle air. He also caught a pass and turned it into an 18-yard gain after some impressive quickness and open-field running later in the first half. For an offense that made few big plays against Carolina, Abdullah was by far the biggest spark. He looked like he belonged, and it happened at a good time for the Jaguars' offense as they wait on Allen to get back to 100 percent.
2. Youth is served. Cameron and Williams have seemingly answered every test. The Jaguars drafted the pair in the sixth round knowing they would start their careers as backups, but both rookies continue to earn the trust of Coen and the coaching staff. This continued Friday, with the pair combining for six receptions for 63 yards. This came on six targets, meaning the Jaguars completed every pass thrown to their young pair of wideouts. Cameron made one of the biggest plays of the night with a 22-yard catch over Panthers veteran cornerback Mike Jackson early in the game, displaying his vertical ability and the traits to win the one on ones that can often decide games.