JACKSONVILLE, Fla. —  The Carolina Panthers found their footing in Friday night's preseason game, with plenty of points and defensive stops in a 34-17 win against the Jaguars, improving to 2-1 on the preseason.

The game was called at the two-minute warning with severe weather approaching.

Canales wanted the starters to get 15-20 snaps this week, which would be more than last week in Buffalo, regardless of how the drives unfolded. In the end, they didn't need that many, showing what was needed in just 11 offensive plays and 16 defensive plays.

The Jaguars weren't playing their starters after Wednesday's joint practice.

The starting offense had just five plays on its opening drive (four plus a flag against the Jaguars), helped along by a defensive pass interference call when Tetairoa McMillan welcomed rookie receiver-turned-linebacker Branson Combs to the NFL. But Jonathon Brooks, playing — at the time — only his 13th in-game snap since tearing his ACL in December of 2024, missed a pass-protection block that meant Young was hit as he threw for an incompletion.

Brooks more than made up for it on the next possession, though. It became clear early on that the run-heavy game plan had less to do with the Panthers' offensive identity (though Canales has always maintained they will be a run-first team) and more to do with helping Brooks knock off rust as he prepares for a full season ahead.

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On the second drive, coaches and the offense leaned on Brooks again. On the first play, Robert Hunt and Tommy Tremble opened a lane for Brooks, and he showcased his burst with a quick 11-yard gain. The next play, Brooks — not making the same mistake twice — protected Young from a rusher, giving the quarterback enough time to find Tremble, who had broken free downfield, for a 15-yard gain.

A big throw to rookie of the year, McMillan, moved the Panthers into the red zone, and another put them on the 1-yard line. From there, it was back to Brooks, who ran it up the middle for pay dirt.

It technically doesn't count as Brooks' first career touchdown, since this is the preseason. But it was still just as sweet.

He touched the tattoo on his arm honoring his late father, sent a heart towards the sky, and celebrated with his teammates.

Young finished 5-6 for 49 yards. Brooks picked up 18 yards and the score on five carries.

The first-team defense, absent four starters, notched 16 plays before they picked up a clipboard. Their first drive was helped tremendously by another dynamic special teams play: a punt downed at the 5-yard line. Tre'von Moehrig sniffed out the third-down play before the snap, and along with Mike Jackson, forced an early punt.

On the subsequent defensive drive, Nick Mullens, starting in place of Trevor Lawrence, and crew moved downfield easily against some preseason defense. Once in the red zone, though, Carolina's defense locked down. Princely Umanmielen and Patrick Jones II stayed in the backfield, pressuring Mullens and runners.

Their pressure culminated in a Jones sack on Mullens for a loss of 8 yards, forcing a field goal.

After a couple of Trevor Etienne runs and a Jimmy Horn Jr. end-around for 39-yards put the Panthers in position for a field goal to make 10-3, the defense got it right back. Chau Smith-Wade, who also started at outside corner in place of Jaycee Horn, cut in front of Austin Trammell for the interception. After returning it for 7-yards, Young and Horn were waiting for him on the sideline for a celebratory dance.

With a short field, Kenny Pickett and Horn Jr. connected for a big 15-yard gain. AJ Dillon finished it from there, his Quadzilla persona taking over to drive the pile for the 7-yard touchdown.

The fireworks weren't over. Carolina ended the half by trotting out second-year kicker Ryan Fitzgerald for a 61-yard try. As a rookie, Fitzgerald proved himself to be unflappable. That was the case Friday night as well, kicking through 81 percent humidity for the successful kick.

The second half was about opportunity with a roster cut looming. Dillon continued to get more carries, finishing with five carries for 16 yards and a score, while Pickett and receiver John Metchie III connected several times. Roc Taylor punched in a late third-quarter touchdown, and followed with a open-field tackle on the ensuing kickoff.

Casey Washington hauled in a touchdown from Kyle Trask in the fourth quarter.

Points don't matter in the preseason, and technically neither do wins. But confidence does. With one more preseason game to play next week before the season opener on September 13, Friday night's win, and how it happened, was the right step towards the 2026 season.

Four defensive starters held out

The Panthers were without several key pieces in Friday night's preseason game, including four defensive starters.

Defensive tackle Derrick Brown, cornerback Jaycee Horn, linebacker Devin Lloyd, and outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips did not play. All four took part in Wednesday's joint practice. On offense, the Panthers were without wide receiver Xavier Legette, who was "rolled up on" during Wednesday's practice and pulled as a precaution, and tight end Darren Waller, who hasn't practiced with the team yet.

Others who didn't play included running back Chuba Hubbard, wide receiver Ja'seem Reed cornerbacks Will Lee III and Akayleb Evans, defensive tackle Cam Jackson, and quarterback Haynes King.

With those absences, wide receiver Brycen Tremayne started in Legette's spot, and Jonathon Brooks started at running back.

The defensive changes were obviously more substantial.

Starters were Bobby Brown III, Lee Hunter, and Jared Harrison-Hunte on the defensive line, outside linebackers were Patrick Jones II and Princely Umanmielen, linebackers were Claudin Cherelus and Trevin Wallace, cornerbacks were Chau Smith-Wade and Mike Jackson, and at safety, Tre'von Moehrig and Nick Scott.