Liam Coen Talks Roster, Injuries Before 2026 Jaguars Opener
As the Jacksonville Jaguars’ season opener against the Cleveland Browns nears, the picture of what their first snap will look like is clearer, with the 53-man roster solidified and a gauge on some prominent injuries.
Coach Liam Coen addressed the media Wednesday for the first time since finalizing the roster, and gave insight into the Jaguars’ last-minute decisions ahead of cutdown day, including the addition of former Miami Dolphins backup quarterback Quinn Ewers on Saturday.
“Just wanted to continue to create competition in the room … I thought he showed some signs of being able to spread the ball around to different spots on the field. He has some arm talent,” Coen said.. “I wanted to make sure that [we are] continuing to put ourselves in the best position to be successful as an offense, if and when something were to happen to Trevor.”
Rounding out the quarterback position, former second-stringer Nick Mullens was sent to the practice squad along with Joey Aguilar, who took fourth-string reps throughout training camp and across all three preseason games. Carter Bradley, originally slotted as the Jaguars’ third-string signal-caller, was waived.
“I thought he did some nice things and kind of has a little gamer in him,” Coen said about retaining Aguilar. “He’s got a little feel. The game kind of makes sense to him. We want to keep working with him, keep developing, keep getting him in our system.”
Aside from the quarterback carousel, defensive end Bryan Thomas Jr. clinching one of the 53 spots was one of the most anticipated outcomes of Sunday evening.
Thomas showed out in the Jaguars’ final preseason game against Tampa Bay, posting 2.5 sacks, four total tackles (three solo), four quarterback hurries and one pass defended.
“Really early on when we had no pads on, no nothing, you could see an explosiveness, twitchy, loose, some natural pass rush skills, it’s a knack, it’s a feel,” Coen said. “Some guys have it; some guys, it takes a little while to get there. And we were really excited about getting him in here, post-draft. And then obviously, once he got into some of the preseason games, and you started to see it.”
Injuries have also been top of mind for Jacksonville’s staff.
Wide receivers Jakobi Meyers (hand) and Brian Thomas Jr. (shoulder) will play in the season opener, Coen said. Brian Thomas returned to practice Tuesday with no issues, while Jakobi returned Wednesday.
However, offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen (knee) and running back LeQuint Allen Jr. (undisclosed soft tissue) may need more recovery time.
Coen said he is hopeful Van Lanen will be back for Week 1, but he is not prepared to rush a return.
If Van Lanen starts the season on the inactive list, Coen said Wyatt Milum will take his place.
“He got a ton of reps at tackle this summer—unfortunately, in some ways, right? He was competing at guard, but it gave him great experience,” Coen said.
Meanwhile, Allen has first- and second-string running backs Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. ahead of him on the depth chart to pick up the slack. His availability against the Browns seems more unlikely, with Coen saying he would be “pleasantly surprised” to see the running back suited up for the season opener.
“I think if anybody can do it, it’ll be those guys because of the way that they attack the rehab, the way that they attack their process,” Coen said.
Category: Feature Sports News, Jacksonville Jaguars, NFL
