Jaguars prepare for Panthers matchup
The Jacksonville Jaguars are set to host the Carolina Panthers in their next preseason game. This matchup follows joint practices between the two teams, which included some skirmishes. Both teams were division winners last year, with Jacksonville concluding the 2025 season with a 13-4 record, while Carolina finished with an 8-9 campaign.
The game is scheduled for Friday, August 21, at 7:30 p.m. ET. It will take place at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. For local viewers, the game will be broadcast on WJAX (CBS Channel 47). Streaming options are also available, including Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.
While Bryce Young started the Panthers’ preseason opener, the participation of Trevor Lawrence for the Jaguars remains uncertain. Coach Liam Coen is considering whether to rest his starters until the regular season. If Lawrence does not play, Nick Mullens is likely to start again, shifting the focus to rookies and new players, particularly on the offensive line.
The Jaguars recently acquired 6-foot-8 guard Daniel Faalele via trade to bolster their offensive line. His integration with rookie Emmanuel Pregnon and other offensive linemen will be observed during the game.
Joint practice highlights
During Wednesday’s joint practice sessions, several players delivered notable performances. Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten was highlighted as a standout. According to John Shipley of Jaguars on SI, Tuten’s performance on Wednesday was his best with the team, showcasing his playmaking ability.
Tuten, who joined the Jaguars in 2025 from Virginia Tech, is known for his speed and ability to evade defenders. His capacity to transform minimal gains into significant runs was evident during the practice. Shipley specifically mentioned a “sick jump cut” by Tuten that left a Panthers defender off balance.
The Jaguars’ backfield this year is expected to feature a committee approach, with Tuten sharing duties with Chris Rodriguez, who offers a more physical style, and LeQuint Allen, who is anticipated to be utilized in passing downs. Tuten’s consistent performance could be crucial for the Jaguars’ offense in 2026, building on their strong finish to the 2025 season.
On the Panthers’ side, wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan also made an impression during the joint practice. After a slow start, quarterback Bryce Young began connecting with McMillan, leading to explosive passes and touchdowns. Coach Dave Canales noted that Young started finding McMillan in various ways, which was key for the team.
Young praised McMillan’s reliability, stating that having a player like him, who can be trusted one-on-one, simplifies his job. During a move-the-ball period, Young escaped pressure and found McMillan deep for a touchdown. Later, in the red zone, Young again targeted McMillan for a score, despite the receiver being double-covered. McMillan made a contested catch, landing just inside the goal line.
Upcoming schedule
Following the game against the Panthers, the Jaguars have another preseason game scheduled for Friday, August 28, against Tampa Bay. That game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be aired on WFOX (Fox Channel 30).
Looking ahead to the regular season, the Jaguars’ schedule includes a Week 6 matchup against Houston in London on October 18 at 9:30 a.m. ET, broadcast on NFL Network (Fox Channel 30 in Jacksonville). They will have a bye in Week 7. Later in the season, they face Tennessee in Week 12 on November 29 at 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS, and travel to Houston in Week 15 on December 20 at 1 p.m. ET on CBS.
Further regular season games include a Week 17 home game against Washington and a Week 18 away game against Indianapolis, with times for both yet to be determined.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.