Updated Aug. 15, 2026, 5:52 p.m. CT
It’s finally here — the New Orleans Saints will kick off their preseason with the Jacksonville Jaguars in front of their home crowd at the Caesars Superdome, giving the Who Dat Nation their best look yet at this year’s team. While it won’t paint a complete picture of the black and gold (Saints coach Kellen Moore already announced he’ll be resting his starters in this exhibition game), it will make for a great opportunity to see which backups are competing for roster spots and who might surprise us this season. Rookie draft picks want to prove they belong. Veteran journeyman want to show they’ve still got it. There’s a lot more at stake here than a win or loss at the final whistle.
Follow along here for live updates throughout the afternoon.
Jaguars take the lead with late touchdown run
This just wasn’t a good sequence for the defense. Cornerback TJ Hall Jr., the Saints’ seventh-round pick, drew two penalties on the same play after getting beaten on a double move by Jaguars wide receiver Trebor Pena; both fouls were declined because Pena was touched down after a 43-yard gain. At that point it was a formality for running back J’Mari Taylor to rumble into the end zone for a score. Jaguars 24, Saints 20.
Saints make another QB change in the fourth quarter
Zach Wilson’s day ended with an 11-of-16 line for 145 yards and a touchdown, with just one sack, before he was replaced by second-year quarterback Hunter Dekkers for the final eight and a half minutes. That’s after a 17-play drive by Jacksonville controlled the clock for the first half of the fourth quarter. At least the Saints defense held the Jaguars offense to another field goal, maintaining their narrow lead. Saints 20, Jaguars 17.
Your fantasy edge starts here Sync your league for custom roster advice, projections, and tools to win your matchups every week.Jaguars make it a one-score game with third-quarter TD
The Jaguars offense came out of halftime with a head full of steam, driving 79 yards downfield in a 10-play, 6-minute possession. Backup quarterback Carter Bradley found tight end Hunter Long for a 1-yard touchdown reception to end it, with running back J’Mari Taylor rushing for a two-point conversion to make it a one-score game. Saints 20, Jaguars 14.
Audric Estime, Christen Miller not spotted in second half
Running back Audric Estime left the game with what looked like a knee injury after a low hit on a checkdown pass from Spencer Rattler, while Miller appeared to have been evaluated for a concussion by the NFL’s red hat-wearing independent neurologist. Miller was also wearing a bulky Guardian cap over his helmet so his absence may have been a cautionary move. Stay tuned.
After missing out on TD, Bub Means converts huge 3rd down
Bub Means was a couple of toes shy of scoring a touchdown earlier in the second quarter, but he bounced back with a 37-yard gain on 3rd and 4. That moved the Saints from their own 11 yard line to midfield. Zach Wilson kept the offense moving into Jaguars territory but they stalled out at the Jacksonville 11, leading to another Tanner Brown field goal. Saints 20, Jaguars 6
Rookie tight end Oscar Delp catches his first TD pass
It looked like Zach Wilson’s first touchdown pass would be caught by Bub Means, but an official review found that he didn’t cross the goal line before going out of bounds. It was a tough break for a wide receiver buried on the depth chart who could use a highlight reel-worthy play like that. Instead, Wilson set up at the 1-yard line and threw to tight end Oscar Delp; the rookie third-round pick is also behind veterans like Juwan Johnson and Noah Fant, but showing he can be an asset in scoring position will earn him more opportunities. Saints 17, Jaguars 6.
Jayden Price comes away with Saints’ second INT of the day
Here’s a guy who has had a great summer. Price spent last year on the Saints’ practice squad and made a niche for himself as the backup behind Jonas Sanker in the slot. After breaking up a pass on the previous drive, Price got both hands on the ball for a takeaway. Jaguars quarterback Carter Bradley just didn’t see him.
Zach Wilson replaces Rattler in the second quarter
Rattler’s day is over after 11 pass attempts over the Saints’ first five drives, ending with 42 passing yards, two sacks and a bad fumble. He’ll be replaced by third-string quarterback Zach Wilson, the former second overall draft pick who signed with New Orleans in the spring. Let’s see what he can do.
Saints extend their lead with a 49-yard field goal
The kickers are taking turns here, with Charlie Smyth booting the extra point earlier and Tanner Brown getting the nod for a field goal try from midfield. And the UFL standout delivered. This kicking competition isn’t ending any time soon. Saints 10, Jaguars 6.
Spencer Rattler fumbles deep inside his own territory
Ouch. If Rattler was hoping to audition for a starting role on another team, this play won’t help him. Rattler dropped back to pass but Audric Estime missed a blitzing linebacker, Yasir Abdullah, who got to the quarterback as he tried to spin away from pressure. A second Jaguars defender, rookie end Wesley Williams, shed a block from left tackle Asim Richards and hurried him. Rattler ran back into Abdullah’s arms and was sacked, losing the football. Both Rattler and Estime should be dinged for this one. Protect the football — and your quarterback. The Saints defense held up and forced Jacksonville into another field goal. Saints 7, Jaguars 6.
Jaguars answer with 54-yard field goal
Special teams are coming into focus — Saints punter Ryan Wright booted a beautiful 55-yarder from his own end zone before shanking a 15-yard punt on his next try, while rookie gunner Lorenzo Styles got to the punt returner quickly and missed the tackle. Then we saw a big field goal from Cam Little, the Jaguars kicker, who went the distance from 54 yards out. Saints 7, Jaguars 3.
Jaylan Ford picks off Jaguars QB in the red zone
This was a brilliant play by the backup linebacker, a third-year pro out of Texas who needs moments like this to help him hold onto his roster spot. Ford caught Jaguars quarterback Nick Mullens staring down his target and jumped the route for a takeaway, but a blind side block penalty on defensive end Garrett Nelson wiped out half of the return. Still, it was a clutch turnover in scoring position, ending Jacksonville’s drive after they covered 53 yards and took 11 minutes off the clock.
Ty Chandler takes opening kickoff into red zone, Audric Estime scores
Whew. The Saints were shorthanded at running back after benching their starters (Travis Etienne Jr. and Alvin Kamara) and resting top backups with injuries (Kendre Miller has a back issue and Devin Neal hurt his hamstring). And the reserves answered. Ty Chandler, signed this offseason from the Minnesota Vikings, broke out with an 86-yard kick return to start the game. And Audric Estime rumbled in with a 9-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage. A rare defensive holding penalty let it stand and Charlie Smyth booted an ugly kick through the uprights. Saints lead, 7-0.
Saints will get the ball to start the 2026 preseason
You don’t want to start your season with a loss, but losing the opening coin toss isn’t the worst thing. Jacksonville won the toss and deferred their possession to the seccond half, which means Spencer Rattler and the second-string offense will start this game with the ball. Buckle up.
Tyler Shough takes his place in the Saints’ pregame huddle
If it wasn’t obvious yet, this is Shough’s team. The second-year quarterback’s appearance in the middle of his team’s huddle before kickoff with Jacksonville is proof of it. Someone had to step up as a vocal leader and address the squad when Demario Davis left in free agency. Davis took over this duty from Drew Brees himself, and now it’s Shough’s turn to rally his guys.
Injured WR Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) makes an appearance
Sure, it’s only pregame warmups, and Tyson was wearing sweatpants rather than cleats and shoulder pads. But it’s encouraging to see him jogging around the field and joining his teammates in the huddle rather than languishing in the trainer’s room. There’s been a lot of speculation about his new hamstring injury (and for good reason, given how much time hamstring issues have cost him) but this does feel encouraging.
Running backs Kendre Miller, Devin Neal won’t play
Between Travis Etienne Jr. and Alvin Kamara resting with other starters and injuries sidelining Miller (back) and Neal (hamstring), the Saints will be giving guys like Audric Estime, Ty Chandler, and CJ Donaldson a lot of opportunities. Someone has to win that RB3 job and Miller’s continued struggles with staying healthy make him a hard sell for it. Estime finished the year strong but the Saints brought in competition for him this offseason. Chandler was signed away from the Minnesota Vikings while Donaldson arrived as a rookie free agent from Ohio State (and before that, West Virginia).
Here’s the full list of affiliate stations which will carry the game in the New Orleans market, per 506 Sports:
WVUE (FOX/8 – New Orleans)WAFB (CBS/9 – Baton Rouge)KSLA (CBS/12 – Shreveport)KNOE (CBS/8 – Monroe LA)KATC (ABC/3 – Lafayette LA)KALB (CW/5.3 – Alexandria LA)WLOX (ABC/13 – Biloxi MS)WLBT (NBC/3 – Jackson MS)WDAM (NBC/7 – Hattiesburg MS)WTOK (ABC/11 – Meridian MS)WALA (FOX/10 – Mobile AL)WBRC (FOX/6 – Birmingham)WMC (NBC/5 – Memphis)
And here’s the list of Jacksonville-area stations carrying the game, with Brian Sexton and Bucky Brooks on the call:
WFOX (FOX/30 – Jacksonville)WOFL (FOX/35 – Orlando)WCTV (CBS/6 – Tallahassee)WECP (My/21.2 – Panama City)WCJB (ABC/20 – Gainesville)WZVN (ABC/7 – Fort Myers)WLTZ (NBC/38 – Columbus GA)WSAV (CW/3.2 – Savannah GA)WALB (ABC/10.2 – Albany GA)WPGA (MeTV/58 – Macon GA)WRDW (My/12.2 – Augusta GA)WABM (My/68 – Birmingham AL)WJTC (44 – Mobile AL)WTVY (My/4.2 – Dothan AL)WTAT (FOX/24 – Charleston SC)WACH (FOX/57 – Columbia SC)WPDE (ABC/15 – Myrtle Beach SC)
Saints vs. Jaguars predictionsDylan Sanders, Saints Wire: The Saints and Jaguars turned up the heat during the joint practice session on Thursday, with both sides feeling like they have some momentum. This could be a fun preseason game with emotions running high, but it’s unclear just how deep New Orleans or if any important players will see the field. Don’t count on very much. The past week or so has been tough on the injury front, so the team is going to be taking it easy going into the season. Still, they have some exciting athletes who could keep this interesting. Jaguars win, 20-17.Saints injury updates
The big news is a hamstring injury to wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, the Saints’ first-round draft pick out of Arizona State. Tyson missed part of his final season with the Sun Devils, the NFL Scouting Combine, and ASU’s pro day as well as the Saints’ offseason program with hamstring issues. While he was fully participating in each of the team’s first twelve practice sessions, an unlucky fall has put his status in doubt for Week 1. It’s an unfortunate break for the first-year pro.
Other Saints players managing injuries include running backs Kendre Miller (back) and Devin Neal (hamstring), defensive linemen Cameron Jordan (hamstring), Davon Godchaux (ankle), and John Ridgeway III (back); linebacker Chris Rumph II (ankle), safety Terrell Burgess (unspecified), and cornerback Rejzohn Wright (hip).
Who is starting for the Saints at QB?
Tyler Shough is sitting this one out at his coach’s direction (which is also the case for his Jaguars counterpart Trevor Lawrence), meaning it’ll be Spencer Rattler leading the huddle when the Saints first get the ball. He’s done well this summer as the QB2 and could showcase himself here with QB-needy teams loitering around. Look for Zach Wilson and Hunter Dekkers to spell him with the reserves as the game wears on.
Saints preseason schedule 2026Aug. 15: vs. Jacksonville JaguarsAug. 22: at Los Angeles RamsAug. 28: at Dallas Cowboys