As the NFL preseason winds down and Week 1 looms on the horizon, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicked off their joint practices at the Miller Electric Center on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. What was expected to be a routine tune-up quickly escalated into a full-contact, emotionally charged session that featured a spectacular touchdown, a concerning injury scare, and multiple skirmishes that had both sidelines buzzing. Reported by the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk, here are the key observations from a day that felt more like a regular-season showdown than a late-August practice.
Brian Thomas Jr. Shines, Then Exits with Shoulder Injury
Two years ago, a joint practice against the Buccaneers served as a turning point in Brian Thomas Jr.'s rookie campaign. On Tuesday, the young wideout made another early statement, hauling in a diving touchdown catch from Trevor Lawrence on the very first play of 11-on-11 drills. The highlight-reel grab brought both sidelines to their feet, but Thomas landed hard on his shoulder and was eventually pulled from practice after one more snap. Head coach Liam Coen told reporters that the team will be cautious with Thomas, aiming to have him fully ready for the season opener against Cleveland. The injury scare cast a shadow over an otherwise electric start for the Jaguars' offense.
Tempers Flare: Multiple Scuffles Erupt
Joint practices are known for their physicality, and Tuesday did not disappoint. The second play of practice saw offensive lineman Anton Harrison involved in a scuffle, quickly followed by a separate exchange of punches between Buccaneers tackle DeMonte Capehart and Jaguars' Wyatt Milum. The biggest melee occurred when running back Bhayshul Tuten broke off a 15-yard run, and Walker Little stumbled into Buccaneers linebacker Alex Anzalone, igniting a full-team brawl. Tuten and a Tampa Bay defensive back threw punches, and Lawrence had to physically separate Anzalone from the pile. The crowd roared as the teams finally separated, setting a combative tone for the rest of the session.
Receivers Step Up in Thomas's Absence
With Thomas sidelined and Jakobi Meyers not participating, the Jaguars' receiving corps needed someone to step up. Josh Cameron and CJ Williams absorbed the bulk of the reps, with Cameron delivering a standout performance. He caught a red-zone touchdown from Lawrence, added two receptions in two-minute drill work, including a 20-yard contested catch through traffic, and continued to demonstrate the reliable hands that have made him a training camp star. Meanwhile, Parker Washington and Brenton Strange also made significant contributions. Washington made the play of the day on offense, out-jumping cornerback Jacob Parrish and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. for a contested red-zone catch, and added two 30-plus-yard gains. Strange hauled in a difficult back-shoulder throw for 40 yards and added two more catches in traffic.
Run Game Shows Promise, But Fumbles Linger
Bhayshul Tuten's day was a tale of two halves. He fumbled on a hit by Antoine Winfield Jr., reigniting concerns about his ball security that followed him through the 2025 NFL Draft process. But he rebounded with a 50-yard touchdown run, bouncing outside and racing down the sideline with only a graze from a defender. Chris Rodriguez also contributed with a solid outside run and several strong red-zone carries. The backfield remains a timeshare, but Tuesday showcased both the explosive upside and the potential pitfalls that come with it.
Pass Rushers Dominate on Both Sides
The defensive lines were the story of the day. Tampa Bay's Calijah Kancey was a constant presence in the Jaguars' backfield, recording three sacks in team periods. But the real star was Josh Hines-Allen, who went 5-for-6 in one-on-one pass rush drills, including a win against All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs, and added four sacks in team periods, one of which was a strip sack. Travon Walker chipped in two sacks, while Davon Hamilton and Ruke Orhorhoro each added one. The Jaguars' defense tallied six to seven sacks overall, a stark contrast to their 27th-ranked sack total from last season, and forced three fumbles and two interceptions. The unit looks poised for a breakout year under coordinator Anthony Campanile.
Secondary Shines, But Hunter Struggles
The Jaguars' secondary had a mixed day. Antonio Johnson returned an interception for what would have been a pick-six, only to have it nullified by a penalty on Travis Hunter. Montaric Brown also had a would-be pick-six, and added a forced incompletion. However, Hunter had a rough afternoon in coverage, giving up four catches, including two 20-plus-yard gains to Ted Hurst. Despite that, the safety play was strong, with Jalen Huskey recording two pass breakups. The secondary's overall performance gives Campanile plenty to build on as they prepare for Friday's preseason finale against the Buccaneers at EverBank Stadium.
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