By MARK LONG AP Pro Football Writer
Bryce Young had much more success in his second game of the preseason, going 5 of 6 for 49 yards passing and setting up a touchdown in the Carolina Panthers’ 34-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday night.
The game was suspended because of lightning in the area with 2 minutes left on the clock, but both coaches agreed to end it instead of waiting the mandatory 30 minutes before resuming play.
It was essentially over long before then.
Young directed a 58-yard scoring drive on the team’s second possession, picking up five first downs — five more than he had in three series at Buffalo last week. Jonathon Brooks capped the drive with 1-yard touchdown run.
“For us as a team, an identity, it was definitely a step in the right direction,” Young said. “You don’t want to get too high, too low. Figure out how we can replicate the good, and there’s plenty of stuff to learn from.”
A.J. Dillon also scored for the Panthers and receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. showed his speed with a 39-yard end-around, a 29-yard kickoff return and a 15-yard reception.
“I’ve always been a playmaker,” Horn said. “It’s just showing up every day and being consistent and trusting the coaches and the plan they got set for me.”
It was a clear step forward for Young and Carolina’s first-team offense, which were no-shows against the Bills. The Panthers (2-1) managed 11 yards in three drives in Buffalo, with Young misfiring twice and getting sacked on three third-down plays.
“I was excited to see it come alive and just see more of the things that we’ve been seeing in camp,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said. “Just wanting it to translate in the game.”
Scoring against the Jaguars (1-1) should give Canales enough confidence to sit Young and other starters next week in the team’s preseason finale.
The Jaguars, meanwhile, held out all their starters for the second straight week and have no plans to play quarterback Trevor Lawrence, two-way star Travis Hunter or any other first-teamers in their final exhibition next week.
This one was messy for Jacksonville, which was penalized nine times in the first half to go along with two turnovers in the game.
“Just have to keep building,” Jaguars coach Liam Coen said.
Ameer Abdullah was a bright spot for the Jags
Running back Ameer Abdullah, a 12-year NFL veteran vying for a roster spot, improved his chances with 82 total yards.
Abdullah ran six times for 45 yards, including a 23-yard spurt in which he juked cornerback Chau Smith-Wade in the flat, and added three receptions for 37 yards.
“I thought he definitely showed up tonight,” Coen said. “It’s kind of what we’ve all been seeing in a lot of ways in practice. You talk about a pro’s pro, a guy that just does everything right.”
Abdullah is competing with DeeJay Dallas and rookie J’Mari Taylor for the fourth running back spot. Dallas fumbled in the third quarter Friday. He finished with 27 yards rushing and added a 2-point conversion.
Panthers held out a dozen guys, including several starters
Defensive end Derrick Brown, cornerback Jaycee Horn, running back Chuba Hubbard, receiver Xavier Legette and linebacker Devin Lloyd were among the dozen players the Panthers held out for various reasons. All of them are projected starters.
Cornerback Akayleb Evans, defensive tackle Cam Jackson, quarterback Haynes King, cornerback Will Lee, receiver Ja’seem Reed and tight end Darren Waller also sat out the game.
Better outing for Jaguars QB Nick Mullens
Jaguars backup Nick Mullens, who was 3 of 7 with an interception last week at New Orleans, turned in a better performance against Carolina.
Mullens was 6 of 7 for 65 yards and directed a 71-yard drive that led to a field goal. His outing should alleviate some concerns about Lawrence’s backup.
Roc Taylor delivers the catch of the night
Signed earlier this month, Panthers receiver Roc Taylor had the catch of the game – and one of the best of the preseason. Taylor hauled in a 16-yard TD strike from Kenny Pickett late in the third quarter. Taylor was fully turned and had a defender in his face when he caught the pass.
Taylor, who played college ball at Memphis and spent training camp with Pittsburgh last year, celebrated with a giddy-up-horsey routine in the back of the end zone.
Up next
Panthers: Host Houston next Friday.
Jaguars: Host Tampa Bay next Friday.