Panthers Run Away From Jaguars in Ugly Preseason Performance

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - AUGUST 21: Ameer Abdullah #43 of the Jacksonville Jaguars is tackled by Mike Jackson #2 and Corey Thornton #31 of the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Field on August 21, 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Jacksonville Jaguars endured a rough night at home, falling by 17 points to the Carolina Panthers in a preseason performance defined more by mistakes than progress. Jacksonville was its own worst enemy throughout the evening, committing 10 total penalties, with nine officially called, while also turning the ball over twice. For a team filled with players fighting for roster spots and playing time, the opportunity was there to make an impression-but far too many depth players struggled to get out of their own way.

Here's everything you need to know from Jacksonville's 2026 Week 2 preseason 34-17 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Pregame Notes:

With the top players from the Jacksonville starting units sitting out following a dominant early joint practice on Wednesday, the Jacksonville backups took the field to face the Panthers starting offense and much of the starting defense, minus a few notable starters.

• DL Derrick Brown
• LB Jaelan Phillips
• LB Devin Lloyd
• CB Jaycee Horn
• RB Chuba Hubbard
• TE Darren Waller

For Jacksonville, the majority of the first and second team starting units rested on Friday, following Wednesday's joint practice, resulting in more playing time for the Jaguars' rookie class and depth players.

Game Recap

With four Carolina Panthers defenders sitting with injuries, the seven starters who dressed struggled early to limit Jacksonville backup quarterback Nick Mullens. Mullens began the game going 6 of 7 for 65-yards, and a 9.3-yard average per reception. The bigger note was his lone incompletion: a second-down Ameer Abullah drop that likely should have been a touchdown. Following the incompletion, Mullens was sacked on third-down, forcing a redzone field goal by Cam Little. The rookie duo of Josh Cameron and CJ Williams ended the first quarter with 69 total yards on the field goal drive.

Another notable takeaway early performance of Ameer Abullah, who ended the first quarter with rushes of 23 and 13-yards. Abdullah ended the quarter with 6-rushes for 45-yards.

ANKLES

Ameer Abdullah goes for 23!#CARvsJAX on CBS47 pic.twitter.com/aJsTiDA5Bx

- Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 22, 2026

Abdullah, easily Jacksonville's brightest spot on the day, added three catches for 37 yards before hanging his helmet up Friday night. Defensively, the Jacksonville defense was busy early against the Panthers' starting offense, forcing an opening-drive three-and-out, courtesy of Branson Combs. Combs closed out the first drive with a quarterback hit, forcing an opening-drive punt.

The Panthers' first-team offense will punt it away after an early Ventrell Miller run stuff, followed by third-down Branson Combs QB pressure. Great plays by both Jax LBs, showing their strengths

Great swim move to make Brooks miss on the blockpic.twitter.com/wZQmnJm6UD

- . (@TravisDHolmes) August 21, 2026

Young's day ended with the Panthers' quarterback being pressured on three of his six pass attempts against the Jaguars' second-string defense. Notably, he was just two of three for nine yards when pressured.

Bryce Young finishes with 49 passing yards on 5 of 6 passing. He played 11 snaps and was pressured on three of six throws, per NFL Next Gen Stats.

He had a 100.7 passer rating.

- Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) August 22, 2026

Unfortunately, similar to the opening half against the New Orleans Saints in preseason week 1, the Jaguars were unable to keep the game competitive early. For consecutive weeks, the Jaguars fell behind their opponent 20-6 at the half. Most notably, the defense struggled to stop the run, surrendering 7.1 yards per carry on 13 rushes at halftime, while the self-inflicted penalties also continued. Jacksonville committed 9 penalties for 60 yards in the first half also, with one turnover: a Carter Bradley turnover.

OUR BALL

Chau Smith-Wade with the INT

: WSOC
: @997TheFox
: In-market in the Panthers app pic.twitter.com/t83TGbwSqX

- Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 22, 2026

Penalties

• OL Jerome Carvin: 1 Offensive Holding; 1 Ineligible Man Downfield
• OL Kilian Zierer: False Start
• OL Sam Mustipher: False Start
• QB Carter Bradley: Delay of Game
• TE Hunter Long: Offensive Offside (declined)
• LB Branson Combs: Pass Interference
• LB Yasir Abdullah: Defensive Holding
• LB Jahlani Tavai: Illegal Block Above the Waist
• DL Jalen Hunt: Roughing the Passer
• CB Christian Braswell: Defensive Holding

The miscues didn't stay in the first half, as DeeJay Dallas opened the second half with a turnover 2:12 into the third quarter after fumbling the ball on a third-down rush.

43 Smith with a forced fumble.

Panthers having a good night, all three phases. pic.twitter.com/uOq5YmiKJi

- John Ellis (@1PantherPlace) August 22, 2026

The defense walked away from Friday's matchup, surrendering 5.3 yards per carry, something that will likely infuriate defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile. From the second drive on, the defense struggled to slow down the run game for Carolina.

Cam Little was three of three on the night, with a long of 43 yards, while punter Logan Cooke averaged 57 yards on his three punts.

Biggest play(s) of the game:

Carter Bradley's second-quarter interception was the moment the dam broke for Jacksonville on Friday. Down 10-3, the turnover gave Carolina the ball back at the Jacksonville 29-yard line.

Chau Smith-Wade flies in for the @Panthers INT

Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/LZGTO2YxYn

- NFL (@NFL) August 22, 2026

They would extend their second-quarter lead to 14, three plays later via a 7-yard AJ Dillon rush. They would never look back.

Favorite highlight:

Anthony Campanile animated with the defensive unit on the sideline pic.twitter.com/hDYckBsSOy

- Nash Henry (@NashJagsNats22) August 22, 2026

Notable performances:

• QB Nick Mullens: 6/7 for 65-yards, 9.3 avg, and 105.4 passer rating
• WR Josh Cameron: 2 catches on 2 targets for 41-yards (20.5 YPR), with a long of 23-yards
• RB Ameer Abdullah: 6 carries for 45-yards (7.5 YPC), 3 receptions for 37-yards on 4 targets (12.3 YPR)
• LB Jahlani Tavai: 4 tackles, 2 solo, and 2 QB hits

View the full box scorehere

Game balls:

• Special Teams: Punter Logan Cooke (3 punts for 171-yards, 57.0 average, and a long of 60-yards)
• Defense: N/A
• Offense: Ameer Abdullah

Live blog:

Catch up on all the big plays and best moments from Saturday's game in ourlive blog!

What are your notables from Saturday's game, Jaguars fans? Who surprised you most or disappointed you with their play? Let us know in the comments.