Cooper is currently sidelined on the NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List following two arrests this summer related to domestic disputes. His status will remain on hold as his legal situation unfolds.

Jonathon Cooper is an important player for the Denver Broncos as a productive edge rusher. The team clearly missed him in Week 1 against the Chiefs, where the pass rush wasn’t as effective.

Cooper was instrumental for the Broncos in 2025

Opposite Nik Bonitto, Cooper had 8.0 sacks, second-best on the Broncos. Hence, without him the Broncos are really missing a force in the defensive line. Against a team like the Jaguars, they need to put pressure on them.

However, due to being in the Exempt list, he cannot even practice. It’s still not clear when Cooper will be back until the legal issues clear out. After that, the NFL can still punish him.

The Broncos must put pressure on Trevor Lawrence

Lawrence is coming off a highly efficient Week 1 performance and has noted seeing how to counter early pressure looks. Denver’s defense must get off the field on third down, an area where Jacksonville excelled previously.

If Lawrence has time to throw, he can decimate secondaries with his accuracy and the plethora of weapons the Jags have at their disposal. Hence, it will be key to make him feel uncomfortable if the Broncos want to win.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, it looks like Harvey is not suiting up. “Broncos RB R.J. Harvey, listed as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Jaguars due to a hamstring injury, is unlikely to play, per source,” Schefter said.

Harvey is predominantly the third-down, pass-catching back of the Broncos. When initially drafted, Harvey was expected to be an absolute workhorse, but he wasn’t able to convince head coach Sean Payton to be an all-snap back.

How did RJ Harvey do in Week 1?

Harvey had three rushing attempts for 18 yards in Week 1 against the Chiefs but the script didn’t favor the running backs. However, he co-led the Broncos with four receptions on four targets for 23 yards.

He ended Week 1 as the third-most productive Broncos player vs Chiefs. Harvey had 41 total yards. Hence, it wasn’t the best performance, but he still was one of the best players for Denver.

Broncos RB depth chart vs Jaguars

JK Dobbins will get the most snaps as the starting running back for the Broncos against the Jaguars. Without Harvey, rookie Jonah Coleman will step into the RB2 role.

Stepping in as the No.3 running back, the veteran Tyler Badie will be available but fully expect him to be involved in pass-blocking duties. He shouldn’t be getting snaps over Dobbins or Coleman.

The decision came after one of the most closely watched quarterback competitions of the offseason. Sanders and Watson battled throughout training camp and the preseason for the starting job, with Sanders generating significant attention after showing flashes that made the decision much more difficult for Cleveland’s new coaching staff. In the end, however, Monken opted for the veteran and gave Watson the opportunity to lead the Browns into the regular season.

That means Sanders will have to wait for his next opportunity, despite the strong interest surrounding his development. Watson will get the start against Jacksonville, while Cleveland will evaluate whether the veteran can provide the consistency and production necessary to keep the job. For Sanders, the season opener becomes another chance to watch and prepare while waiting for an opening that could arrive sooner than expected.

When will Shedeur Sanders play for Browns?

There is already significant speculation that Shedeur Sanders could get his opportunity relatively early in the season if Deshaun Watson struggles. Multiple reports, including one from NFL insider Adam Schefter, have indicated that Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers at home could become a potential turning point for the Browns’ quarterback situation if Watson fails to perform well in Cleveland’s first two road games against Jacksonville and Tampa Bay.

That scenario would put considerable pressure on Watson from the beginning of the season. The Browns are opening with two road games, giving the veteran an immediate opportunity to prove that Monken made the right decision by selecting him over Sanders. If the offense struggles badly in those games, Cleveland could be forced to reconsider its quarterback plan before the season moves too far forward.

For Sanders, that makes Week 3 against Carolina a particularly important date to watch. Nothing guarantees that he will become the starter by then, but the possibility gives him a clear path back into the competition. If Watson struggles against the Jaguars and Buccaneers, the Browns could turn to Sanders at home against the Panthers and finally give the young quarterback his chance to show what he can do in a regular-season game.

According to John Shipley of Sports Illustrated gave an eye-opening report on Travis Hunter. The report states that Travis Hunter has taken reps “almost exclusively at cornerback” for the last two weeks.

However, he also stated that “there will be games where he logs 50 percent of the offensive snaps,” However, it is basically a given that he is seen way more as a CB than a wideout.

Is Travis Hunter’s No.2 selection paying off?

While it’s still early in Hunter’s career, if he is not playing both CB and WR at a high level, he is not living up to the hype. The only reason he won a Heisman and went second overall was because of his great play at both positions.

However, he is not an elite cornerback to make a second overall pick justifiable on that end alone. Hence, the Jaguars need to figure it out, while Hunter needs to develop faster and stay healthy.

The Jags don’t need Hunter at WR so much

Thankfully for the Jaguars, their WR depth chart is actually very complete. Hence, their season expectations don’t rely on Hunter’s ability as wideout. Of course, it would help if he does break out, but it’s a bonus not a necessity for Trevor Lawrence.

• Parker Washington
• Brian Thomas Jr.
• Jakobi Meyers
• Travis Hunter
• CJ Williams
• Josh Cameron

How to watch Jaguars vs Buccaneers in the USA

The Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers preseason finale will be available to stream in the USA through Fubo and NFL+.

Can I watch Jaguars vs Buccaneers for free?

Fubo currently offers a 5-day free trial for eligible new subscribers, and its official game listing for Buccaneers vs. Jaguars displays a “Try for free” option.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Jaguars and Buccaneers close out the preseason with very different priorities. Tampa Bay enters the finale with a perfect 2-0 record, after beating the Jets 24-16 and the Chiefs 16-15, while Jacksonville is 1-1 following a 24-20 win over New Orleans and a 34-17 loss to Carolina.

For Jacksonville, the final game is especially valuable for players trying to earn a role behind the established starters. Liam Coen has indicated that the Jaguars’ starters are not expected to play, following two days of joint practices with Tampa Bay. That means Friday’s matchup should once again put the emphasis on younger players and roster hopefuls rather than Trevor Lawrence and the first-team unit.

Tampa Bay is taking a similar approach. The Buccaneers are not expected to play their starters, meaning Baker Mayfield and other established players should remain on the sidelines while the coaching staff evaluates the depth of the roster.

The team also added wide receiver Jha’Quan Jackson this week, giving him an immediate opportunity to compete for a role after joining the roster on Wednesday.

What time is the Jaguars vs Buccaneers match?

The Jaguars vs. Buccaneers game kicks off on Friday, August 28, at 7:30 PM ET. The matchup will be played at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

• Eastern Time: 7:30 PM
• Central Time: 6:30 PM
• Mountain Time: 5:30 PM
• Pacific Time: 4:30 PM

In fact, for the Jacksonville Jaguars, this is a fact. Starters won’t play, which means the quarterbacks vs. Buccaneers will be Joey Aguilar and Carter Bradley. Maybe backup Nick Mullens also plays, but it seems like the Jags are more interested in knowing who to keep between Aguilar and Bradley.

Liam Coen is not risking any of his starters in this game and he is wise to do so. The Jaguars were a revelation last year, and he could be on the verge of making the Jags actual AFC contenders.

Is Baker Mayfield the QB for Bucs vs Jaguars?

Baker Mayfield is not expected to play vs Jaguars. The starting signal-caller will be either Jake Browning or Jalon Daniels. Both are in an intense battle for the backup role as Baker Mayfield is clearly the QB1.

As for who’s starting, head coach Todd Bowles said, “Not yet. We’re going to sit down and meet about it.“ So, while both will play, there is no information as to who will start the game.

Bucs and Jags have a thing in common

Both franchises have former number one overall picks as their quarterbacks. However, both of the quarterbacks have high plenty of highs and lows. Mayfield has been able to rebuild his career after many roadblocks.

As for Lawrence, he was touted as one of the best prospects to ever come out of college. However, he has had just two good seasons in five years in the NFL. Hence, it’s time to prove he is actually becoming a franchise quarterback.

How to watch Jaguars vs Panthers in the USA

The preseason game will be available to stream on NFL+ in the United States. Fubo will also stream the game live, with its platform specifically listing Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars for August 21.

Can I watch Jaguars vs Panthers for free?

Yes, eligible new Fubo subscribers can watch Jaguars vs. Panthers through the 5-day free trial. It currently offers free trials on select plans, and its official listing confirms this specific game is available on the platform.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Panthers meet in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL preseason, but Friday’s matchup carries more significance than a typical exhibition game. Jacksonville opened its preseason with a 24-20 comeback win over the New Orleans Saints, while Carolina is coming off its preseason opener against the Buffalo Bills.

The Jaguars will also host a joint practice with the Panthers before the game, giving both coaching staffs an additional opportunity to evaluate their players in competitive situations.

For Jacksonville, the biggest storyline is the expected return of the starters. Head coach Liam Coen said the Jaguars are trending toward playing their first-team players against Carolina, after keeping them out of the preseason opener.

That could mean valuable preseason snaps for quarterback Trevor Lawrence and other key starters as Jacksonville prepares for the regular season. The decision comes as the team manages several offensive-line injuries involving Walker Little, Patrick Mekari and Chuma Edoga.

Carolina also has important roster questions to resolve. Running back Chuba Hubbard is dealing with a hamstring injury and is considered week-to-week, meaning the Panthers could continue giving additional work to other backs while protecting one of their most important offensive players. Hubbard rushed for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024 and remains a major part of Carolina’s plans when healthy.

What time is the Jaguars vs Panthers match?

The game kicks off on Friday, August 21, at 7:30 PM ET. For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

• Eastern Time: 7:30 PM
• Central Time: 6:30 PM
• Mountain Time: 5:30 PM
• Pacific Time: 4:30 PM

Per Jaguars head coach Liam Coen, starters will get some action. Trevor Lawrence and others will get “a couple drives, potentially” against the Panthers. While that might be less than a quarter, at least Lawrence and company will get a football feel out of the game.

“You set a schedule, and timing and circumstances, things change and you have to pivot a little bit… I think we need a little bit more padded work against each other, good on good,” Coen said.

Will Bryce Young play for Panthers vs Jaguars?

It’s expected that Bryce Young plays for the Panthers vs Jaguars on a snap count as well, alongside other starters. Dave Canales saw Young and Offensive Rookie of the Year wideout Tet McMillan shine vs Jaguars in joint practice, so he might want to keep that momentum rolling.

It also looks like the offense might be taking another approach. As McMillan said, “We gotta stop trying to be cute.” And that is true, the Panthers don’t have a reputation for being an aggressive offense, though a change of pace could serve them well.

Both quarterbacks have pressure on their shoulders

Trevor Lawrence has had two great years in the NFL and a lot of bad ones. The Jags know both the highs and lows of Lawrence, and still plaid him. However, Lawrence needs to prove that he can sustain the level he showed last year in a consistent basis.

Meanwhile, Bryce Young is playing to remain as the Panthers QB1, as he is in his fourth year, but if he wants to get a huge extension, he must deliver and guide the Panthers into the NFL playoffs once again.

“So that’s the goal right now, is to look at potentially playing [Lawrence] a little Friday night,” the head coach said to the reporters. “You just look at the amount of padded days that we actually have left until the game week and it’s very few and far between. So, you set a schedule, you set it, and you’re like, well, timing and circumstances, things change and when you have to pivot a little bit.

“I think we need a little bit more work in terms of coming off of the Saints joint [practice] and the Saints game, I think we just need a little bit more padded work against each other, good on good.”

Once again, Trevor Lawrence will be the one leading the Jaguars, as the team looks to return to the top of the AFC South. Duval is putting their faith in their quarterback to lead the franchise to the next Super Bowl.

Travis Hunter is back on track

Versatile Travis Hunter wants to be at 100% for Liam Coen from Week 1, and his latest practice was a clear sign of that. He took the majority of his snaps on the defensive side of the ball, something he said was beneficial for him.

“It was definitely beneficial. I needed to knock the rust off, like I said earlier. I’ve got to get better somehow, somewhere,” Hunter said after practice. “So, I definitely took my time to hone in on one today and that was defense. Get better, get my feet up under me. Can’t let anybody catch the ball, so that’s my motto right now, just continue to focus and get better.”

What’s next for the Jaguars

Following their matchup against Carolina, Lawrence and his Jaguars will close out their preseason slate at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 28. This final tune-up at EverBank Stadium will serve as the last opportunity to iron out the roster and finalize depth charts before transition into full regular-season mode.

Just over two weeks later, Jacksonville officially kicks off its 2026 campaign right back on home turf, welcoming the Cleveland Browns for their Week 1 opener on September 13.

After Thursday’s joint practice, head coach Liam Coen confirmed that Trevor Lawrence will not play vs. Saints as they open their preseason schedule. Not only Lawrence, but many Jaguars’ starters will sit out this game.

Hence, Nick Mullens is likely to start against the Saints, with Carter Bradley and Joey Aguilar also seeing some snaps too. Pretty much anyone but Lawrence can see action under center.

Is Tyler Shough playing for Saints vs Jaguars?

Tyler Shough earned his spot as the Saints’ QB1 last year, ending it hot. Hence, he will also be rested vs. Jaguars. The Saints are likely to deploy Spencer Rattler and Zach Wilson to play against Jacksonville.

Rattler was a short-term starter before Shough took the job from him. As for Zach Wilson, he was a former second overall pick whose career didn’t pan out as planned. Now, he is looking for redemption.

Liam Coen has a tough task for the Jaguars in 2026

Coen had a great first season as the Jaguars’ head coach. However, he now has to keep Lawrence in good form, make Travis Hunter a worthy second overall pick, rescue Brian Thomas Jr. as a top wideout, keep developing WR Parker Washington and keep the winning ways all at once.

In his first NFL season, Travis Hunter suffered an LCL knee tear that cut his season short. Many analysts believed it was due to a lack of muscle, which is why he has decided to take action to prevent another injury.

According to Jordan Schultz, Travis Hunter said on Friday that he put in a lot of work to build muscle this offseason, adding 10 pounds, which has made him feel lighter on his feet.

Travis Hunter knows availability is the best ability

When the Jaguars traded up to acquire Travis Hunter in 2025, they knew they were getting a dual-threat player who was hungry to prove his abilities on both sides of the ball.

Unfortunately, his body couldn’t keep up with the demands, and the knee injury was a reflection of the heavy workload. There is no doubt he is a talented player, but being available for his team is the best ability he could have.

The Jaguars have yet to determine if Hunter will play on both sides of the ball this season. He wants to continue in his two-way role, but Jacksonville appears to be more interested in having him more on defense than on offense.

The AFC South is very intriguing

Last season, the AFC South had multiple leaders throughout the year. Ultimately, the Jaguars secured the divisional title, but mostly thanks to external circumstances.

The Texans and the Colts suffered key injuries to their quarterbacks, which helped Jacksonville take advantage and secure more wins. However, in 2026, they can’t rely on outside factors and must live up to expectations.