The Jacksonville Jaguars are set to have their first of three joint practices as they travel to New Orleans to face the Saints. They’ll have a practice together on Aug. 13 before competing in the first preseason game on Aug. 15.
Joint practice allows the team a chance to have a competitive session of work in a controlled setting while facing a different team than the one they’ve gone against since the start of training camp.
Head coach Liam Coen has already ruled out starters for the preseason game, deeming that they’ll get enough work during the joint practice session. It’ll also give other players the opportunity to put film together as the team evaluates who’ll make the final roster.
“It’s a controlled environment that you’re still getting physical work, but you’re thudding,” Coen told reporters on Aug. 11. “You’re not tackling to the ground. Not as many blind shots and hits that guys maybe aren’t going to see.”
Here are three battles to watch for ahead of the joint practice with the New Orleans Saints:
Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. vs. Saints CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
This is a camp battle that was weighed on paper long before it’ll be weighed on the football field. Both players are in the same draft class and were on the radar of the Jaguars in 2024. Obviously, Brian Thomas Jr. won that battle, but will he win when the two line up across from each other in joint practices?
Kool-Aid McKinstry and Thomas played against each other in the SEC as Alabama and LSU went head to head. This’ll be a renewing of that rivalry and you can expect fierce competition from both sides. Joint practices is where Thomas comes alive, leaving a trail of highlights during his rookie and sophomore years in the NFL.
If he continues his trajectory from the early part of camp, he’ll have three standout performances as the Jaguars compete in three joint practices this year.
Jaguars DEs Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker vs. Saints O-line
Josh Hines-Allen has been one of Jacksonville’s best players to start training camp and Travon Walker’s versatility has been on full display. What is it going to look like when the two of them pair up against a new opponent for the first time this season.
The Saints were the eighth-most sacked team in the NFL last season as they allowed 49 sacks through 17 games. Pass rushing has been an emphasis for the Jaguars this season as they try to improve their standing after a disappointing campaign in 2025.
The battle in the trenches will be something to watch as the two teams try to get the better or each other.
Jaguars CB Montaric Brown vs. Saints WR Jordyn Tyson
The Jaguars re-signed Montaric Brown this offseason because they feel like he’s a player who can shoulder the responsibility of being the team’s top cornerback. The Saints drafted Jordyn Tyson because they think he’s able to be a spark to their offense as they try to build around Tyler Shough.
It’s an opportunity for both players to prove their organization’s leadership right as they face off against each other in joint practices. Brown has lined up across from Brian Thomas Jr. in almost all of Thomas’ 1-on-1 reps in training camp. I’d imagine he’ll want the challenge of guarding New Orleans’ rookie pass catcher as well.
It’ll be a good chance for Brown to gauge the work he’s put in this offseason with new defensive back coach Mathieu Araujo in a different setting than a typical practice.
Jaguars preseason schedule 2026
All times Eastern.
Jaguars schedule 2026
All times Eastern.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars training camp battles to watch during Saints joint practice
Reporting by Juston Lewis, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
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By Juston Lewis, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union | USA TODAY Network
