The Jacksonville Jaguars are navigating a crucial preseason week as they prepare to host the Steelers on Saturday night, raising questions about their strategy for live reps, injuries, and roster depth.
Jaguars head coach Liam Coen acknowledged that deciding who should play and how much time they should spend on the field is an “ultimate debate.” The team needs all the practice reps possible before the regular season opener on September 7. However, risking significant injury to key players poses a concern.
Coen’s background in Los Angeles showed limited reps for starters during preseason games, which led to younger players getting more opportunities to gain film and potentially earn another shot if things didn’t work out with the Rams. In contrast, Tampa Bay’s Buccaneers played starters and got meaningful work in during preseason games.
Despite the pros and cons of each approach, Coen stated that the Jaguars won’t finalize their preseason plan until after their second day of padded practice this week. The team is still working to clean up issues like miscommunications, forcing plays, and penalties, which surfaced in last week’s stadium scrimmage.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence expressed similar sentiments, saying his team struggled on Tuesday, particularly with slow movement off the line. He emphasized the need to “bring a little more juice” next time.
With the preseason midway point passed and only two games left, the Jaguars are close to determining their final roster. The team is listed as needing minimal changes, but some positions like cornerback and safety have seen notable shifts in depth charts.
Rookie Travis Hunter’s versatility has been highlighted, as he appears set to start at receiver while also backing up cornerback Jarrian Jones. Safety OR spots show Eric Murray and Darnell Savage starting alongside Andrew Wingard or Antonio Johnson.
Coen confirmed that Hunter’s behavior on Tuesday – wearing a white defensive jersey over his teal offensive top for easier substitutions – will likely continue, suggesting that the rookie’s role is fluid and adaptable.
Source: https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2025/08/05/jaguars-enter-game-week-mode-as-preseason-opener-inches-closer