The Jacksonville Jaguars need to get two-way standout Travis Hunter more involved on offense.
Brian Thomas Jr. dropped two passes in a 20-13 loss at Denver on Sunday, again raising concerns about his dependability. A first-round draft pick who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2024, Thomas ranked second in the NFL with 10 drops last season and seemed to shy away from contact almost weekly.
His struggles had Jaguars coach Liam Coen ready to make Hunter the team’s go-to receiver last October. Days later, Hunter tore a ligament in his right knee in practice and missed the rest of the season.
With Hunter sidelined, the Jaguars (1-1) traded for veteran Jakobi Meyers, witnessed the emergence of Parker Washington and found ways to get more out of Thomas.
Now, though, Hunter deserves another shot beginning with Sunday's home game against New England (1-1).
After all, Jaguars general manager James Gladstone said Hunter has “the capacity to alter the trajectory of the sport.” Jacksonville has no idea whether that’s even a possibility until the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner truly plays both ways.
He played just four offensive snaps in the season opener, a victory against Cleveland. He was slightly more involved against the Broncos, getting on the field for seven offensive snaps.
But he’s been mostly a decoy so far; he’s yet to be targeted beyond the line of scrimmage.
“We got to go look at it and see if we can find some more ways to get him some opportunities,” Coen said.
Hunter last season rarely looked like a player worth what Jacksonville gave up to draft him — Gladstone traded four picks to Cleveland to move up three spots to No. 2 — and often appeared confused about where to line up on offense.
But coaches and teammates believe the few plays he made in 2025 were enough to prove he’s got a chance to be special. He clearly needs a chance.
The Jaguars appear to have one of the better run defenses in the league. A year after leading the league in that category, they allowed 104 yards on the ground at Denver. They gave up 87 yards rushing against Cleveland in the opener.
It’s the kind of defensive approach that can dictate games. It worked well against the Browns, but not good enough against the Broncos down the stretch. Rookie Jonah Coleman ran for 39 yards and a touchdown, helping Denver run out the clock in a close game, after J.K. Dobbins left with an injury.
Jacksonville failed to sack Bo Nix and barely pressured him. Linebacker Dennis Gardeck led the team with two QB hits, and Travon Walker got one. But Josh Hines-Allen was mostly a no-show on the opposite side, the kind of absentee performance the Jaguars can’t afford.
It was a stark contrast from the opener against the Browns, in which Walker and Hines-Allen were a dominant duo.
Parker Washington was the team’s best receiver for the second consecutive week. He caught seven passes for 98 yards, including a 32-yarder that set up a touchdown. He had five receptions for 83 yards and a score last week against the Browns.
It's more proof that the Jaguars can't afford to lose Washington in free agency next year.
Lawrence was mostly ineffective. He completed 17 of 29 passes for 189 yards, with an interception. He was sacked twice and ran twice for 6 yards. He also had an early fumble that was overturned by penalty. He looked nothing like the guy who threw four TD passes against the Browns and carried the Jags into the playoffs down the stretch last year.
Defensive tackle DeVon Hamilton tweaked his lower back late in the game but was able to return. Right tackle Cole Van Lanen played his first complete game since tearing a knee ligament in January and having surgery. Van Lanen played fairly well despite giving up a sack.
3-12 — Jacksonville's all-time record against New England. It's the franchise's lowest winning percentage against any AFC team. The Jaguars have won the last two meetings in Jacksonville.
The Jaguars showed they have a small margin for error against Denver, so they need to limit turnovers, sacks, penalties and blown coverages to improve their chances.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence calls a play in the first half of an NFL football game between the Jaguars and the Denver Broncos in Denver, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen responds to a question during a news conference after an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos running back Jonah Coleman (20) is hit by Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Travis Hunter (12) after Coleman caught a pass in the first half of an NFL football game in Denver, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Lutzens)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee coach Robert Saleh warned watching tape of the Titans' latest loss would make them feel sick.
There was plenty of that Monday.
“There’s things that we could have done better as play callers to put us in better situations,” Saleh said. “There’s things that we could’ve done from a player’s standpoint to execute and these are games that we’re going to learn to win."
The result is a third consecutive 0-2 start to a season for the Titans.
Making this hurt worse is the Titans took a 20-17 lead with 1:56 left. They wound up losing 24-20 to Philadelphia with issues on both offense and defense. The Titans had first-and-goal at the Eagles 9 that turned into a 33-yard field goal by Joey Slye after a sack and two conservative run plays that netted 4 yards.
Asked about the play-calling in that sequence, Saleh called it a “toss-up.”
“At the end of the day, we came away with points,” Saleh said. “We got to win the football game on defense.”
That didn't happen.
The defense allowed the Eagles to convert 61.1% (11 of 18) of their third downs, including two big third downs on the game-winning drive. That left the Titans very frustrated.
“We just need to find a way to get off the field and win,” Titans safety Amani Hooker said.
The Titans focused this offseason on giving All-Pro tackle Jeffery Simmons help for the line to anchor the aggressive, quarterback-chasing defense Saleh wants.
They showed signs of what they can do against Philadelphia.
Simmons had one of three sacks and three quarterback hits a week after the Titans managed just one quarterback hit in losing to the New York Jets. Simmons also had the pressure that forced the second of Jalen Hurts' interceptions. The Titans finished with eight tackles for loss.
“It just came down to two-minute execution, and we didn’t execute good enough when the game really mattered,” Simmons said.
The offense. The Titans finished with 291 yards and had more yards rushing (122) than the Eagles (89), averaging 4.2 yards per attempt. They managed only two drives of at 10 plays and got points out of each of those.
The 10-play drive after Marcus Harris' interception bogged down after getting to the Eagles 9 on a run by Tyjae Spears. Ward was sacked, then two runs left the Titans settling for the field goal. A touchdown would have left the Eagles needing a touchdown to try and force overtime.
WR Elic Ayomanor. The fourth-round pick in 2025 had the Titans' two longest plays on catches of 41 and 28 yards. His 41-yarder came in the fourth quarter where the Titans took a 20-17 lead, and Ayomanor hurtled a defender for a few extra yards.
Ayomanor finished with a team-high 69 yards receiving catching two of the three passes Ward threw to him.
WR Calvin Ridley. The veteran wide receiver finished with his first two catches of the season for 35 yards. He also was flagged for unnecessary roughness after the Titans reached midfield, and they punted three plays later.
CB Cor'Dale Flott was inactive for the Eagles' game after Saleh said he was dealing with some tightness in a quadriceps muscle that the coach didn't think would sideline the starter. Flott should practice Wednesday.
Rookie RG Fernando Carmona Jr. was getting a shoulder checked, and Saleh didn't have an update Monday.
2-17 — The Titans' home record since the start of the 2024 season. It's why fans wearing the visitors' gear dominate the seats at Nissan Stadium. Running back Tony Pollard called that unfortunate.
“That’s on us,” Pollard said. “We got to give our fans something to cheer for. We got to make plays. We got to win games. That’s when they’ll start and when we’ll get our fan base back up to be where we should.”
Winning the first game this season doesn't get easier with three of the next four on the road. The Titans visit the New York Giants and then Baltimore. They host Houston, then hit the road again to Indianapolis.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Tennessee Titans cornerback Marcus Harris (26) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.(AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) is sacked by Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.(AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (2) runs from Philadelphia Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba (24), linebacker Jalyx Hunt (58) and cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (27) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.(AP Photo/John Amis)
Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh, center, talks with officials during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.(AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Philadelphia Eagles fans celebrate during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.(AP Photo/George Walker IV)
