First Call: Jaguars will play starters vs. Steelers; Travis Hunter to play both WR and CB; Justin Fields starting for Jets

We know the Pittsburgh Steelers are sitting lots of players for Saturday’s preseason opener in Jacksonville. The Jaguars are not. In Friday’s “First Call,” we hear from Jags coach Liam Coen about why his team is putting its starters on the field.

The Jets are doing the same thing in New York. That includes former Steelers quarterback Justin Fields.

We also have news of a few significant injuries across the league, and a former Penguin is receiving quite an honor in retirement.

Jags not joking around

Most of the Steelers starters are going to sit out Saturday’s preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. But the homesteading Jags are doing no such thing.

According to first-year head coach Liam Coen, everyone who is healthy enough to play is going to play.

“We will play everybody. So, how long that is, we’ll kind of determine how things are going a little bit. Everybody’s going to play in this game,” Coen said Thursday via JagsWire. “A lot of the guys want to play. You’ve got two new systems on both sides of the ball, … kind of everything leans that way, to it probably being the best thing for our team right now.”

That also means Travis Hunter is going to play on both sides of the ball. The Heisman Trophy winner from Colorado was drafted second overall as a player who could suit up as both a wide receiver and a cornerback.

Coen told “Up and Adams” host Kay Adams that Hunter will likely see a bit more action on the defensive side of the ball Saturday.

Coach Liam Coen told me he'll play Travis Hunter a little bit MORE on DEFENSE in his preseason debut against the Steelers.

Here's why:@TravisHunterJr @UpAndAdamsShow @Jaguars #Duval pic.twitter.com/c1emcVcIME

— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) August 7, 2025

That said, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is pushing for Hunter to spend most of his time on offense.

Green means go

New York’s Aaron Glenn is another first-year coach who is playing aggressively with his first string to open the preseason. His Jets will deploy their starters in a preseason game in Green Bay on Saturday night.

“We’re playing,” coach Aaron Glenn said Thursday via the Associated Press. “I can’t tell you how much guys are going to play. That’s going to be affected by how the game goes, but we’re playing.”

That means former Steeler Justin Fields will open the game under center. Reports from New York have been harsh on Fields’ performance. But Glenn isn’t worried.

“He’s a very mature person,” Glenn said of his QB. “He understands the highs and lows of this game, and there’s so much outside noise to try to beat him down. He’s so mature. He doesn’t allow that to be a factor in how he’s going to go about his business.”

Fields reportedly had a better day on Thursday.

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Rough start

A trio of Steelers opponents have been hit with injuries. The most serious of which appears to have occurred in Los Angeles.

That’s where Chargers offensive tackle Rashawn Slater ruptured a patella tendon during practice. He’s done for the year.

Rashawn Slater sustained a torn patellar tendon in today's practice and will undergo surgery to repair the injury.

He will miss the 2025 season and be placed on Injured Reserve.

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 7, 2025

According to the L.A. Times, “Slater went down in team drills after going up against edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu. As Slater planted his left foot, he collapsed to the ground and immediately grabbed his leg.”

Last month, Slater signed a four-year, $113-million contract extension. It included $92 million guaranteed, the most ever for an NFL offensive lineman.

The Steelers play in Los Angeles on Nov. 9. They also host Indianapolis on Nov. 2. Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson dislocated his pinky on his throwing hand during Thursday’s preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens thanks to a sack.

Anthony Richardson injured on this David Ojabo sack pic.twitter.com/BmiLEdpBuL

— Steve Palazzolo (@StevePalazzolo_) August 7, 2025

Colts coach Shane Steichen said during the broadcast that the finger was popped back into place, and he didn’t know the extent of any damage. Richardson has missed 17 games over his first two seasons due to injuries.

Also in that game, Ravens rookie cornerback Bihal Kone was injured late in the first quarter. He is believed to have suffered a season-ending ligament tear. The Steelers are in Baltimore on Dec. 7, and host the Ravens in Week 18.

Up to the rafters

Former Penguin Jeff Carter is getting his number retired. No, not at PPG Pants Arena. At GFL Memorial Gardens.

That’s where Carter’s junior team, the Soo Greyhounds play. The event will take place on Nov. 22.

Over the course of four seasons there, Carter played 236 career games, averaging over a point per game. The London, Ontario, native amassed 123 goals and 123 assists, for 246 regular season points. He added 12 points (5G, 7A) in 15 career postseason games.

The Soo Greyhounds are honoured and excited to host the return of alumni Jeff Carter to have his #7 jersey raised to the rafters of the GFL Memorial Gardens.

BUY TICKETS ????️ | https://t.co/WJQAvJgWpq
FULL STORY ???? | https://t.co/Y1Kieijots pic.twitter.com/6semVC4qn2

— Soo Greyhounds (@OHLHoundPower) August 7, 2025

A first-round pick in 2003, Carter went on to play 19 seasons with the Flyers, Kings, Blue Jackets and Penguins. He won two Cups with Los Angeles and won an Olympic gold medal with Canada in 2014. He was also a two-time All-Star.

Carter played his final four seasons in Pittsburgh, logging 100 points from 2021-24.