Parker Washington showcased his skills with a 73-yard kickoff return under the NFL’s new rules, which led to an early touchdown for the Jacksonville Jaguars as they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 26-13 in a preseason game. Washington evaded several tacklers before being brought down at the Chiefs’ 30-yard line, setting the stage for a touchdown pass from Trevor Lawrence to Travis Etienne. Chiefs receiver Marquise Brown suffered a shoulder injury early in the game and did not return.
During the matchup, Washington, a second-year pro from Penn State, impressed with not only his kickoff return but also a punt return and a 10-yard reception. He is expected to be a key player in the Jaguars’ receiving corps alongside Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis, and rookie Brian Thomas Jr. The Chiefs, on the other hand, struggled with kickoff coverage, highlighted by a safety called after a misplayed kickoff by Mecole Hardman.
The game also featured a controversial call where a potential fumble return for a touchdown by Jaguars cornerback Christian Braswell was overturned by officials, much to the disagreement of the crowd and the Jacksonville sideline. In terms of rookies, Brian Thomas Jr. made an impact for the Jaguars with a 41-yard reception, while Kansas City’s Xavier Worthy did not receive any targets during the game.
Both teams had notable injuries, with the Jaguars missing key players like Darnell Savage, Tyson Campbell, Ezra Cleveland, and Anton Harrison. For the Chiefs, guard McKade Mettauer and linebacker Curtis Jacobs suffered injuries during the game. Looking ahead, the Chiefs will face Detroit next Saturday, while the Jaguars will host Tampa Bay in their next preseason matchup.
