With the Jags’ first preseason game of 2022 in the books, here are six players whose stock is up heading into their second preseason game.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ first preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders is behind them, and now it’s time for them to look forward to their preseason opener at home. While the team lost the game 27-11, their young players gave the coaches a lot to evaluate heading forward before the first wave of cuts on Aug. 16.
Some players came out of the Hall of Fame Game with some momentum and took advantage of the opportunity they received with over 20 players sitting out. Some players who didn’t take the field last Thursday also have momentum from how they have performed at practice. Let’s take a look at some players from both categories before the Jags’ upcoming game against Cleveland at TIAA Bank Field:
The Houston Texans will play the Los Angeles Rams live on NFL Network on Aug. 19 at 9:00 p.m. Central Time.
Houston Texans fans outside of the home market will get a chance to see their team take on the defending Super Bowl champions in an exhibition tilt live on NFL Network.
NFL Media announced Monday the Texans vs. Los Angeles Rams preseason game on Aug. 19 will be carried live on NFL Network at 9:00 p.m. Central Time.
The game is one of 22 live preseason games the network will be airing throughout preseason.
Here is a look at the Texans’ preseason schedule, including times, dates, and TV channel:
Week 1 — Aug. 13 — New Orleans Saints at Houston Texans — KTRK-TV
Week 2 — Aug. 19 — Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams — KTRK-TV [NFL Network]
Week 3 — Aug. 25 — San Francisco 49ers at Houston Texans — Amazon Prime Video
The Houston Texans have a scheduling advantage that should help them against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1.
The schedule-makers did the Houston Texans a solid heading into Week 1 when they face the Indianapolis Colts Sept. 11 at NRG Stadium.
Peter King pointed out in his Football Morning in America column for NBC Sports Monday that the Texans are among four teams that will have 16 days between their preseason finale and Week 1.
6. I think four teams have 16 days to rest after their last preseason games (Kansas City, Green Bay, San Francisco, Houston), which is going to be either an interesting test for those coaches or a big advantage. The Packers are at KC, and San Francisco at Houston, on the evening of Thursday, Aug. 25. Then they don’t play till Sunday, Sept. 11. Plus, with more teams playing fewer starters in the preseason now, it’ll be interesting to see, for instance, how long Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes play in that preseason game. Point is, there are going to be some very well-rested teams (stale, perhaps, too) after a 1.5-week bye prior to the start of the practice week for the first game that counts.
Not only do the Texans have a 16-day break, but their preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers will also be at NRG Stadium. After the Texans travel to SoFi Stadium for their second preseason game to take on the Los Angeles Rams, Houston is done traveling for the rest of the exhibition slate.
The Colts similarly won’t have to travel for their preseason finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but they won’t have the extra days Houston will.
The Panthers won’t have to wait until their Aug. 19 preseason tilt to lock up with Bill Belichick’s Patriots.
The Carolina Panthers won’t wait until their Aug. 19 preseason matchup to offer players the opportunity to stand out against the New England Patriots. The team officially announced that New England will host Carolina for a series of joint practices ahead of their second preseason game.
Last summer, the Panthers had joint practices with two teams: the Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts. Related to the former, Carolina will play Baltimore in the regular season this year, so it didn’t make sense to renew those joint practices.
As for the latter, practices between the Colts and Panthers were a little too physical at times. Typically, coaches expect small skirmishes in 11-on-11 drills as players itch to get the regular season underway. During the second day of these practices though, multiple fights involving large numbers of players broke out. Even though head coaches Frank Reich and Matt Rhule spoke to their team captains ahead of the first Thursday practice, two large ones broke out during the Friday drills.
“I just know everything they do is first class,” Rhule said.
After the Panthers’ preseason game against the Patriots on Aug. 19, they will return home for their final preseason matchup versus the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 26 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
The Jacksonville #Jaguars didn’t have joint practices last season, but will under new coach Doug Pederson this season.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ preseason and regular-season schedules were announced on Thursday and fans are now excited to see them take the field again. The hope is that the Jags can get off to a better regular-season start this year, but the key to that will be having a strong preseason and productive training camp period.
Last year, the Jags probably could’ve benefited from having joint practices with another team, but that didn’t happen. However, on Friday, Doug Pederson revealed that the Jags are planning to have joint practices with their last preseason opponents in the Atlanta Falcons.
Pederson added that the details are being ironed out as he’s waiting for Atlanta to get with him on a time due to them playing in a Monday night game (Aug. 22) before their game against the Jags.
“We are scheduled right now for Atlanta [to have joint practices with], which is our last preseason game,” Pederson said. “For us, it’s our fourth and it’s their third. Our preseason schedule right now is set as far as opponents and times. I’m just waiting on Atlanta to get back to me on a time because they play the Monday night before our preseason game and then we’re supposed to have joint practices with them.
“So coach [Arthur] Smith and I will just get together probably early next week and iron that out.”
When the Jags’ schedule came out on Thursday, their game against the Falcons was listed with a “TBD” designation on the date, time, and network. However, once that becomes available, we’ll be sure to provide an update.
Pederson added that he thought joint practices would provide a valuable experience for the Jags, especially their starters.
“I think they are really valuable to get some really good work in, especially with your starters and guys who you think are going to be starting on opening day,” Pederson said. “You’re going against another team at that point in training camp and it allows our team to get out of here for a few days and practice against a team that’s well-coached and is a disciplined football team. It will be good for our guys to get some work in.”
The Jags and Las Vegas Raiders will both have four preseason games instead of three like the rest of the league due to playing in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton. That explains why the Jags would be taking the field for their fourth preseason game, while Atlanta will be on their third. It wouldn’t be shocking to see the Jags’ starters rested for that game, but Pederson may aim to use the joint practices more so to prepare the starters for Week 1 of the regular season.
