The Jaguars lost CB Montaric Brown to injury in July 2025, forcing rookies Travis Hunter & Jarrian Jones into the spotlight. Can they seize the moment?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Just when the optimism around Liam Coen's new-look Jaguars was hitting a fever pitch, the reality of the NFL grind set in. The team was dealt a significant blow Wednesday with news that starting cornerback Montaric Brown will miss the rest of training camp with a lower leg injury. While his absence creates a hole in the secondary, it also swings the door wide open for the team's most electrifying young players to prove their worth, turning a moment of concern into a crucible of opportunity.
It just gives us an opportunity to get guys reps... Gives a great opp for Jarrian Jones, obviously, Travis [Hunter] to continue to get quality reps.
The news on Montaric Brown is a tough pill to swallow. Expected to be a key cog in the new zone-heavy defense, the third-year corner will now be sidelined until the regular season. This puts immense pressure on the Jags' defensive backfield depth. Coach Liam Coen is spinning it as a positive, a chance for others to step up. All eyes will now be on rookies Jarrian Jones and the sensational two-way player, Travis Hunter, to absorb those crucial first-team reps. Brown isn't the only one banged up, either. A concerning list of players, including new guard Patrick Mekari (lower back) and tight end Johnny Mundt (upper body), are already questionable for Week 1, making these camp evaluations even more critical.
While the defense deals with injuries, the offense is providing plenty of fireworks. The connection between Trevor Lawrence and second-year receiver Parker Washington is quickly becoming the story of camp. Washington has been a touchdown machine in red zone drills, looking like a serious contender for the No. 3 receiver spot. His emergence is particularly interesting given the questions surrounding Travis Hunter's usage. Will Hunter see significant snaps on offense, or will Washington's consistency allow the coaching staff to keep the prized rookie focused primarily on defense? For now, Washington is making an undeniable case for more targets, and fans are loving the highlight-reel catches plastered across the team's social media.
This training camp feels different, and for good reason. The departure of GM Trent Baalke marked a major shift in the front office, and the roster reflects a new philosophy. Key offensive weapons like Christian Kirk and Evan Engram are gone. In their place are players like guard Patrick Mekari and tight end Johnny Mundt, tasked with fortifying the trenches and providing reliable options for Lawrence. With the running back room still an area of uncertainty, the pressure is on Lawrence and this revamped receiving corps to carry the load. Every practice, every rep matters as Coen's staff works to forge a new identity from a team that has seen significant turnover on the field and off.
The loss of Montaric Brown for camp is a setback, no doubt. But adversity breeds opportunity. The coming weeks and preseason games will be a massive test for this team's depth and the resolve of its young talent. Will Travis Hunter and Jarrian Jones solidify the secondary? Can Parker Washington cement his role as a reliable weapon for Trevor Lawrence? The answers will define the Jaguars' trajectory as they march toward Week 1 against Carolina.
