By Don Coble, Florida Sports Wires
JACKSONVILLE (www.jaxsportsnews.com) – The preseason is done. Starting with Sunday’s game with the Cleveland Browns at 1 p.m. inside EverBank Stadium, the games will count.
For many Jacksonville starters, it will be the first time they’ve seen live action in a true game setting this season. And for two-way player Travis Hunter, it will be the first time he’s seen real action since tearing up his right knee during practice on Oct. 30.
Jaguars coach Liam Coen held most starters out of all three preseason games, deciding to devote more time in evaluating other talent as possible backups.
“The volume piece is the unknown and making sure that you don’t overload the guys in Week 1 because there’s going to be anxiety,” Coen said. “There’s going to be all those things. You’re really trying to keep it simple in ways, but you also need to have answers. And I think that’s the balance. That’s the unknown kind of angst that it can cause in ways. You just want to get the ball snapped.”
Since so many players were kept out of preseason games, Jacksonville remains a mystery … even to themselves. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, wide receivers Brian Thomas, Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington, running backs Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez, defensive ends Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen, defensive tackles Arik Armstead and DaVon Hamilton and linebackers Foyesade Oluokun, Ventrell Miller and Dennis Gardeck are some who will be seeing their first live-game action of the new season.
But most eyes will be on Hunter.
The second-year player will start at cornerback, but Coen said, depending on the situation, Hunter will also play wide receiver.
“I’m sure he’s going to have to probably take it all in,” Coen said of Hunter. “As we all know, practice, walkthroughs, meetings … it’s exciting to get back on the practice field. But there’s nothing like the emotion of a game, a stadium, opponent, all those that go into it.
“Now look, he’s been doing this for a very long time at a high level, and he’s played in big games. He understands; he’s had to come back from some injuries. I’m happy to get him back on the grass doing something that he loves to do and that he’s passionate about doing and energetic about doing on a daily basis.”
Lawrence said it’s been a long time since he was hit at full speed. Until then, it will be difficult to keep his emotions in check. He said Hunter will face the same challenges, especially after missing the final 10 regular season games and their 27-24 playoff loss to Buffalo.
“There’s really no contact until the regular season starts,” Lawrence said. “I know for me, I just wanted to get the ball snapped and start the game already because there’s been so much buildup of missing the back half of the season and then the whole offseason, all the training camp, then finally Week One.”
Lawrence is coming off his best year as a pro. He completed 341 of 560 passes (60.9%) for 4,007 yards and 29 touchdowns. Moreover, he reduced his interceptions (12) and he ran for a team-best nine TDs.
“I think having the direction now of preparing for an opponent and you have something to game plan for,” Lawrence said. “The fun part is the puzzle you put together throughout the week and you’re mastering your plan and getting ready.”
The Jaguars won the AFC South last year with a 13-4 regular-season record, which included an eight-game winning streak down the stretch. Jacksonville will have a new look at key spots. Running back Travis Etienne Jr., linebacker Devon Lloyd, safety Andrew Wingard and cornerback Tyson Campbell all left in free agency.
The Browns were 5-12 a year ago. And like the Jaguars, they will have several new faces in the starting lineup.
Deshaun Watson supplanted Shedeur Sanders at quarterback; 2025 draft pick Quinshon Judkins will start at running back; rookie KC Conception will be at wide receiver and kick returner; and Campbell will be on the opposite sideline as Cleveland’s new cornerback.
Coen is convinced his process, which included keeping starters off the field during three preseason games, will work. The outcome, however, remains unknown.
“I do think that you have a routine in place that we feel has worked,” he said. “And that’s where I feel a little bit more settled, I would say. In terms of just trusting our process that we do feel like it, it works. Our process works. The result, obviously, we have to see a new 2026 Jacksonville Jaguars team. Those results, I’m unsure of.”
