Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels (10) looks to pass the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Former Jayhawk Jalon Daniels’ chances of earning Tampa Bay’s backup quarterback job seemed to diminish in the team’s preseason finale, a 19-0 loss at Jacksonville on Friday night in which neither side played starters.

After leading the Buccaneers to come-from-behind victories against the New York Jets and Kansas City, Daniels got a surprise start against the Jaguars. But he failed to generate much offense, with Tampa Bay punting on six of its first seven possessions. Daniels botched a snap to end the other and was sacked three times.

Daniels completed 8 of 15 passes for 57 yards in nearly three quarters. He also ran four times for 9 yards.

He didn’t get much help from his receivers. Rookie Dean Patterson IV and third-year pro Kameron Johnson dropped third down passes to end the first two drives and then Garrett Greene let one slip through his fingertips in the second quarter.

Getting the start was a chance for Daniels to show he was ready to supplant Jake Browning behind Baker Mayfield. Daniels is an undrafted rookie from Kansas who had been listed behind Browning and Connor Bazelak on Tampa Bay’s depth chart.

Jacksonville got better results from its second-team quarterback, Nick Mullens. Trevor Lawrence’s backup completed 5 of 7 passes for 62 yards in the first quarter.

“They set a tone early on, had some good drives and just (didn’t) finish with some scores,” Jaguars coach Liam Coen said.

Carter Bradley, the son of former Jaguars coach Gus Bradley, took over from there and misfired on two deep passes that could have been touchdowns. Bradley connected with DeeJay Dallas for a score late in the third and then scrambled for a 2-point conversion.

Cam Little kicked a 61-yard field goal, and rookie Michael Wortham returned a punt 63 yards for a TD late.

Rookie pass rushers shine for the Jaguars

Jacksonville is looking for additional pass rushers behind Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. Rookies Wesley Williams and Bryan Thomas Jr. showed they’re ready to contribute.

Williams, a fourth-round draft pick from Duke, nearly sacked Daniels on one play and recovered his fumble on another. Thomas, an undrafted rookie from South Carolina, finished with 2 1/2 sacks. They join second-year pro B.J. Greene II and veteran Dennis Gardeck in giving the Jags quality depth behind two big-time starters.

Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle and former Jayhawk Tommy Dunn Jr. (95) celebrates a tackle against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

SAINTS 27, COWBOYS 24

ARLINGTON, Texas — Zach Wilson led a drive to Daniel Carlson’s 53-yard field goal with 1:55 remaining, and the New Orleans Saints beat the Dallas Cowboys 27-24 in a preseason finale Friday night.

Sam Howell threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes and had a tying 2-point conversion run for the Cowboys (2-1), who erased a 15-point deficit but missed out on their first undefeated preseason in 20 years.

Spencer Rattler scored on an 8-yard keeper to the pylon while directing three first-half scoring drives for the Saints (1-2), who avoided their first winless preseason since 2015.

Both teams got their last live looks at their respective competitions for the backup job at quarterback — behind Tyler Shough in New Orleans and Dallas’ Dak Prescott.

Joe Milton, who backed up Prescott last year, was less efficient than in his first two preseason games. Still, he might have done enough in those to keep his job over Howell, an offseason free agent addition.

Milton went 8 of 15 for 92 yards in the first half, with three drives that ended in field goals by Brandon Aubrey. Dallas’ powerful kicker had field goals of 49, 51 and 58 yards while missing wide right from 57.

PANTHERS 16, TEXANS 13

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers running back Miles Davis said his father was a huge jazz fan.

So it was a no-brainer for his pops when it came time to choosing his son’s name. He named him after his favorite jazz musician.

“He was like, ‘you know what, our last name is Davis, and well, Miles Davis has a nice ring to it,” Davis said.

Davis hopes to make a name for himself in the NFL. The undrafted rookie from Utah State ran for a 1-yard touchdown, Ryan Fitzgerald kicked three field goals and the Carolina Panthers held on to defeat the Houston Texans 16-13 on Friday night in the preseason finale for both teams.

Panthers fourth-string quarterback Kyle Trask, who was signed during training camp following a hamstring injury to Haynes King in the Hall of Fame game, finished 19 of 28 for 147 yards with one interception and led four scoring drives for Carolina (3-1).

Davis ran for 34 yards on 11 carries and Anthony Tyus had 10 carries for 41 yards for the Panthers.

Brett Rypien completed 13 of 23 passes for 101 yards, including a late 6-yard touchdown pass to Zay Jones for the Texans (0-3). He also threw one interception.