Jaguars planning to play starters in preseason game against Panthers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars are planning to play starters in their next preseason game, against Carolina on Friday night.

Coach Liam Coen said Monday he expects quarterback Trevor Lawrence and others to get “a couple drives, potentially” against the Panthers. It's a reversal for Coen, who previously had no intention of putting his first-team offense and defense at risk in any exhibitions.

“You just look at the amount of padded (practices) we actually have left until the game week, and it's very few and far between,” Coen said. “You set a schedule, and timing and circumstances, things change and you have to pivot a little bit. ... I think we need a little bit more padded work against each other, good on good.”

Jacksonville played no starters in its preseason opener at New Orleans on Saturday and rallied to win, 24-20. But a rash of injuries, most notably along the offensive line and at linebacker, prompted Coen to not hold practice in full pads Monday. Backup quarterback Nick Mullens and offensive tackle Chuma Edoga were among those who sat out practice.

The Jaguars have a joint practice (in full pads) scheduled with the Panthers on Wednesday. Coen made it clear that regardless of how things pan out this week, there's no chance any starters will play in the team's preseason finale against Tampa Bay on Aug. 28.

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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter is seen before an NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Ella Hall)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is seen before an NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Ella Hall)

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen watches from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Ella Hall)

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — New York Jets running back Breece Hall strained his groin during practice Monday and will have tests to determine the severity of the injury.

Coach Aaron Glenn appeared cautiously optimistic after practice that Hall’s injury wasn't serious. Glenn said Hall would have imaging tests done on the groin.

“I don’t think it was a big deal,” he said, “but I want to make sure I get the evaluation on that.”

Hall, the team’s top running back coming off his first 1,000-yard rushing season, caught a pass late in the practice session, pulled up and fell to the rain-slicked grass. He got up and walked gingerly to the sideline, where trainers appeared to be examining his upper right thigh/abdomen area.

The 25-year-old Hall is considered a key to New York’s offense. He received a three-year contract extension in the offseason from the Jets worth up to $45.75 million. The team had used the franchise tag on Hall, whose contract — which will pay him $15.25 million per year — made him the third-highest paid running back in the NFL at the time.

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New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) leads his team onto the field before a preseason NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) runs from Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Ayden Garnes, left, during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Jets running back Breece Hall runs up field during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)