How Jaguars head coach Liam Coen is taking advantage of LeQuint Allen Jr.’s absence

For the Jacksonville Jaguars, LeQuint Allen Jr.’s injury is a setback, but head coach Liam Coen is treating it as an opening. With the second-year running back sidelined, Coen is using the vacancy to run a live audition, giving other backs first-team reps and a chance to prove they belong.

The evaluation has a clear priority, and it isn’t just about who can run the ball. Coen made it plain that pass protection is the trait he’s hunting for most.

“The big thing is protection right now, and who can continue to ascend in the protection pecking order, because that’s what we are missing right now with LaQuint being out,” Coen told reporters after succumbing to a 17-34 preseason loss against the Carolina Panthers. “As great as the running is, we’re really evaluating who can pass protect at a high level for us.”

Jacksonville will evaluate other running backs with the first group while LeQuint Allen Jr. is out, prioritizing pass protection.

Liam Coen: “We're gonna be out with LaQuint, as Derek mentioned earlier, gonna be out for a little bit. And so we've gotta just, we need to see those… pic.twitter.com/VG3UiMMhgH

— MicNuggets (@micnuggetsnfl) August 22, 2026

The context makes the stakes clear. Allen suffered a soft tissue injury on Day 13 of training camp and will miss the remainder of camp, though the wording from the team suggests he should be available for the season opener. Before going down, Allen was in the mix for the RB2/RB3 role and had earned the coaching staff’s trust specifically on passing downs, which is exactly the void Coen is now trying to fill.

Allen’s absence is one of several offensive blows Jacksonville has absorbed this month. Right guard Patrick Mekari underwent a back procedure and is expected to miss significant time, while wide receiver Parker Washington has been dealing with an injury of his own, leaving Coen shorthanded at multiple spots heading into the preseason.

The silver lining is that the Jaguars have the depth to weather it. Bhayshul Tuten sits atop the backfield, and veteran Ameer Abdullah offers a reliable, pass-protection-savvy option, giving Coen legitimate candidates to sort through with the first group.

The plan dovetails with Coen’s broader approach to the preseason. He had signaled a willingness to let his starters take meaningful snaps against the Panthers, viewing the extra reps as a way to sharpen a team still learning his schemes. Allen’s absence simply hands more of those valuable snaps to backs eager to climb the depth chart.

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