🏈 FINAL: Carolina Panthers 34, Jacksonville Jaguars 17
The Carolina Panthers delivered a much sharper preseason performance Friday night, rolling past the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-17 at EverBank Stadium to improve to 2-1 in exhibition play.
After Carolina’s offensive starters failed to record a first down in three series last week at Buffalo, Bryce Young and the first-team offense needed just 11 plays to make their point against Jacksonville. Young completed 5-of-6 passes for 49 yards, and Carolina’s opening possession covered 58 yards in seven plays before Jonathon Brooks scored on a 1-yard run.
The Jaguars rested their starters after the teams held a joint practice Wednesday, but Carolina still got the kind of response coach Dave Canales was looking for. The Panthers finished with 385 yards, scored on four of five red-zone trips and did not commit a turnover. The game was called at the two-minute warning with severe weather approaching.
🔄 Last Updated: August 21, 2026 11:17 pm
🎯 Key Moments
- Carolina’s starters strike first: Young completed 5-of-6 passes as the Panthers drove 58 yards on their opening possession, capped by Brooks’ 1-yard touchdown run (his first TD as a Panther).
- Panthers build the lead: AJ Dillon scored on a 7-yard run late in the second quarter to give Carolina a 17-3 advantage.
- A 61-yarder: Rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald drilled a 61-yard field goal as the first half expired, sending Carolina to the locker room ahead 20-6.
- Pickett finds the end zone: Reserve quarterback Kenny Pickett connected with Roc Taylor for a 16-yard touchdown late in the third quarter.
- Trask finishes another scoring drive: Kyle Trask hit Casey Washington for a 15-yard touchdown in the fourth, pushing the advantage to 34-9.
⭐ Stars of the Game
- Bryce Young: 5-of-6 passing, 49 yards while directing Carolina’s opening touchdown drive.
- John Metchie III: Team-high six receptions for 77 yards.
- Kenny Pickett: 15-of-25 for 137 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions.
- Ryan Fitzgerald: Perfect on his kicks, highlighted by a 61-yard field goal to end the first half.
- Carolina’s running backs: Brooks and Dillon both scored touchdowns as the Panthers rushed for 147 yards.
📝 NC Connection
Former Appalachian State quarterback Joey Aguilar had an impressive night for Jacksonville, completing 9-of-10 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown. Aguilar connected with Trebor Pena for a 29-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
📊 By The Numbers
- 385: Total yards for Carolina, including 147 on the ground.
- 0: Panthers turnovers.
- 4-of-5: Carolina’s red-zone efficiency.
- 23: Panthers first downs compared with 16 for Jacksonville.
- 6-of-12: Carolina’s third-down conversion rate.
- 2: Jacksonville turnovers, including an interception and a lost fumble.
- 11: Offensive plays for Carolina’s starters after Canales entered the game hoping to get them roughly 15-20 snaps.
- 34: Points for a Panthers team that managed just 14 in last week’s loss at Buffalo.
📌 Why It Matters
It’s preseason, and Jacksonville did not play its starters, so there’s no reason to read too much into a 17-point victory. But Carolina wanted a cleaner performance after struggling badly in Buffalo and got one.
The most encouraging development came almost immediately. After a punt on the first possession, Young and the starting offense looked considerably sharper in limited action, while the Panthers protected the football, ran effectively and produced points throughout the night.
⏭️ What’s Next
Carolina Panthers: The Panthers close the preseason with its only home game at Bank of America Stadium next Friday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. against the Houston Texans
Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jags conclude their preseason by hosting the Tamp Bay Buccaneers on Friday, Aug. 28 at 7:30 p.m.
🔗 Carolina Panthers Resources on NC Football News
- Carolina Panthers Hub Page: 2026 Schedule, Team Notes, History
- Carolina Panthers fall at Buffalo 29-14: More details on preseason game No. 2
- Carolina Panthers rally past Arizona Cardinals 33-30: More details on the Panthers’ Hall of Fame Game victory
⏪ Pregame Center
The information below was published and updated in the days leading up to the game. It is being preserved as part of this game’s archive.
Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars
Date: Friday, Aug. 21, 2026
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL
Last Meeting: Jacksonville Jaguars 26, Carolina Panthers 10 (Sept. 7, 2025)
TV: Panthers Television Network (WSOC-TV in Charlotte; WRAL/WRAZ in Raleigh-Durham)
Streaming: Panthers.com and Panthers app (free in the regional broadcast area); NFL+
Radio: Panthers Radio Network
Weather: Warm and humid conditions expected with a chance of thunderstorms
Spread: Panthers -1.5
Over/Under: 37.5
Lines via DraftKings, Aug. 19
📚 Last time out for the Panthers
- Buffalo Bills 29, Carolina Panthers 14 – Panthers offensive starters played the first three series and failed to pick up a first down in what was mostly a listless day overall.
- Quarterback Bryce Young finished 3-for-5 for 18 yards in his first action of the preseason
- Running back Jonathon Brooks played for the first time since late in the 2024 season, finishing with four touches for 14 yards.
- Kenny Pickett and Kyle Trask threw touchdown passes.
- Carolina allowed 396 total yards but held Buffalo to 1-for-7 on third down.
🔍 Panthers vs. Jaguars: What to Watch
🤝 What will the Panthers learn from joint practices with Jacksonville?
The Panthers and Jaguars are holding joint practices leading into Friday’s preseason game. With roster decisions approaching, the sessions provide another important evaluation opportunity for players competing for jobs — and could influence how much Carolina’s starters play Friday night.
🧱 Can the Panthers’ offensive line get healthy?
Injuries have taken a toll on Carolina’s offensive line this preseason. Starting tackles Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton are out, while guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis missed the Bills game last week.
Hunt and Lewis are expected back this week, which could provide a significant lift. Coach Dave Canales has praised the physicality of the group in practice, but getting healthy and building continuity remains a priority.
⏱️ How much will Bryce Young and the Panthers starters play?
Canales said Monday that Carolina’s starters would get a “pretty good load” during Wednesday’s joint practice, which will help determine their playing time Friday.
“The plan is to play them all in the game, too,” Canales said, while noting that the decision will depend on how players come through the early-week practices.
🆕 Will new Panthers TE Darren Waller play against the Jaguars?
It’s very unlikely. Waller signed with Carolina on Monday and acknowledged that he’s still learning an unfamiliar offense. He is expected to provide a boost at tight end once he’s acclimated but isn’t expected to play Friday.
Waller could begin taking live practice reps with Bryce Young next week.
🥊 Who will start at linebacker for the Panthers?
One starting linebacker job remains unsettled alongside Devin Lloyd. Trevin Wallace and Claudin Cherelus continue to compete for the spot, making their reps against Jacksonville worth watching as Carolina evaluates the position.
