JACKSONVILLE — A pair of sixth-round rookie receivers and a 33-year-old running back in his 12th NFL training camp are forcing their way into the Jacksonville Jaguars’ roster conversation as the team prepares for its preseason finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at EverBank Stadium.
Wide receivers Josh Cameron and CJ Williams, both selected in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, combined for six receptions on six targets for 63 yards in a 34-17 preseason loss to the Carolina Panthers. Undrafted free agent Trebor Peña added four catches for 72 yards and a 29-yard touchdown. Head Coach Liam Coen made clear the young pass-catchers are building credibility. “Those guys are earning trust for sure and they’re going to continue to earn more,” Coen said.
The bigger surprise may be veteran running back Ameer Abdullah, who signed in the spring and ran for 45 yards — including a 23-yard burst down the right sideline — and caught three passes for 47 yards against Carolina. Abdullah started with Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. sitting and LeQuint Allen Jr. sidelined by a soft-tissue injury. “He showed up tonight and it’s what we’ve seen in practice,” Coen said. “You talk about a pro’s pro, a guy who does everything right. He’s one of the first guys in the building, along with Parker Washington. He takes care of himself, treats himself right in terms of his body, and getting his mind right for practice every day. He was able to show up tonight and look a little better than everyone else.”
Allen’s injury could determine whether Abdullah earns a spot on the 53-player roster or whether the Jaguars try to pass him through waivers to the practice squad. The Jaguars also drafted Tuten and Allen in 2025 and added Rodriguez in 2026 free agency and J’Mari Taylor as a collegiate free agent after the 2026 draft.
Jacksonville’s offensive line is also taking shape heading into the regular season. The team activated tackle Cole Van Lanen from the Physically Unable to Perform list, and Coen said Van Lanen — who finished last season starting at left tackle — will work on the right side. Anton Harrison, who started his first three NFL seasons at right tackle, will remain at left tackle, where he has worked throughout 2026 camp. Rookie third-round pick Emmanuel Pregnon has moved into the first-team left guard spot, while Ezra Cleveland, last season’s starting left guard, has shifted to right guard. The projected starting five — Harrison, Pregnon, center Robert Hainsey, Cleveland and Van Lanen — represents significant change from the end of last season, when Patrick Mekari held the right guard spot and Harrison and Van Lanen were on opposite sides.
Recent injuries at receiver could accelerate playing time for Cameron and Williams early in the regular season. Washington missed practice last week, and veteran Jakobi Meyers wore a brace on his hand after jamming it in practice. Cameron, described as the bigger and more physical receiver the Jaguars have sometimes lacked, made one of the night’s biggest plays with a 22-yard catch over Panthers veteran cornerback Mike Jackson. Williams has drawn praise for his cerebral approach to the game.
Coen acknowledged the Panthers loss featured too many penalties, turnovers and mistakes but pointed to a joint practice earlier in the week as a better indicator. “I definitely liked what I saw from the joint practice, for sure,” Coen said. “I was pleased with the physicality, the effort, the energy and a lot of the execution. There is a ton to continue to clean up here, obviously.” The Jaguars host joint practices with the Buccaneers on Tuesday and Wednesday before the preseason finale Friday at EverBank Stadium.