JACKSONVILLE — The Jaguars’ defense seized control of Day 6 of 2026 training camp, picking off three passes — including one from starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence — during a physical, padded practice that lasted a little more than two hours at the Miller Electric Center.
“I thought today, for us defensively, was a little bit better than yesterday,” Defensive Coordinator Anthony Campanile said after the session, the second consecutive day in pads. Safety Eric Murray and cornerback Jarrian Jones intercepted backup quarterback Nick Mullens, while safety Antonio Johnson registered his first interception of camp on a pass from Lawrence.
The practice featured short-yardage and red-zone work, and the defense made several key stops to prevent first downs or touchdowns. Second-year linebacker Branson Combs delivered a pass breakup during red-zone drills and an impressive coverage rep downfield against Parker Washington, fueling what Campanile called “a heated competition in that room. Competition brings competitors.”
“I love all those guys in the room,” Combs said. “We’re a pretty close group. But when it gets on the field, it’s competing whether we’re on the same side of the ball, whether we’re doing drills against each other. Whatever it is, it’s always competition, and you know that’s just what’s going to make each other better.”
Campanile made clear that physicality is non-negotiable for his unit. “You’re trying to build a callous — entering blocks the right way, entering tackles the right way, all the fundamental things that are important to winning and playing good football, certainly playing good defense,” he said. He credited the offensive line coaches and running backs coach Chad Morton for giving the defense quality looks, noting that the backs and linemen “play with great pad level. More of that will continue to make us better.”
The play of the day, however, belonged to the offense. Rookie wide receiver CJ Williams scored one of the offense’s few touchdowns with a diving catch in the front corner of the end zone, barely getting two feet in despite fully extending his body. The official at the goal line gave him the nod and the six points. With veteran running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. held out for a scheduled maintenance day as the team manages his return from offseason knee surgery, Bhayshul Tuten and Ameer Abdullah both broke long runs. Young safeties Jalen Huskey and Caleb Ransaw each recorded a pass defensed in one-on-one work against the tight ends.
Campanile left no ambiguity about the standard he expects. “If it isn’t up to the standard and we’re not doing that and we’re not performing physically and we’re not violently finishing, trying to whoop the other guy’s ass on every play, it’s going to get called out,” he said. “And if you are, it’s going to get celebrated. And I just think that’s a good culture to have. They’re great guys to coach, honestly, because of that. We have great, great dudes here.”
The injury report grew when linebacker Jared Bartlett, who signed with the team Sunday, sustained a leg injury early in practice and left the field on a cart. Second-year linebacker Jack Kiser remained out after sustaining a knee injury in Day 1 practice. Left tackle Cole Van Lanen (knee) and offensive lineman Garrett DiGiorgio (foot) remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list, while guard Patrick Mekari and cornerback Christian Braswell stayed out of team drills. Defensive tackle Arik Armstead missed practice with a veteran day. The Jaguars are scheduled for an off day Wednesday before resuming camp Thursday.