All articles tagged with #preseason
Tua Tagovailoa will start the Falcons’ preseason finale against the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium, returning to the Miami area as he competes for the starting job after an uneven training camp. Michael Penix Jr. won’t play while Tagovailoa tries to secure the role, and Miami’s decision to part with him carries heavy dead money despite his big past production; the Falcons are paying him the league minimum this season.
A Jim Brown statue outside the Cleveland Browns’ stadium was used to display a message directed at quarterback Deshaun Watson, reflecting the attention surrounding his return during the NFL preseason and the ongoing spotlight on both players.
Las Vegas Raiders’ final 53-man roster projection is laid out ahead of Aug. 30 cutdown day, updating positions after the latest preseason game against the Texans. The rundown covers QB, RB/FB, WR, TE, OL, DL, LB, CB, S, and specialists, notes Ashton Jeanty’s injury as a potential roster determinant, and suggests the possibility of keeping a sixth receiver or adding a veteran via waivers with several players on the fringe and potential practice-squad candidates.
San Francisco's preseason finale vs. the Raiders is poised to decide the remaining battles on the roster at safety, cornerback and linebacker: the second safety spot remains unsettled between Marques Sigle, Malik Mustapha (still injured), and veteran Ashtyn Davis; the opposite-cornerback job to Deommodore Lenoir could hinge on Jack Jones or Ephesians Prysock with Renardo Green hampered; and an injury-depleted linebacker corps opens the door for Garrett Wallow, Jaden Dugger, Nick Martin or Deion Jones to stake a claim before Week 1.
Day 17 capped Philadelphia’s camp with a light session before Friday’s preseason game and 53-man cuts. Makai Lemon again worked with the first-team offense, DeVonta Smith remains WR1, and Tanner McKee is expected to start the final preseason game vs. Cincinnati. Key rookie Keyshawn James-Newby returned and flashed burst, keeping an eye on a potential roster spot, while the safety battle between Michael Carter and Epps continues. Hurts addressed his camp interceptions as part of adapting to a new offense, and special teams worked on a missed-field-goal return with Will Shipley.
The Las Vegas Raiders host the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3 of the 2026 preseason at Allegiant Stadium on Aug. 27 (5:00 p.m. PT). In-market TV is FOX5 Las Vegas (Horowitz with Gannon and Morrison), with a list of regional affiliates; radio flagship Raider Nation Radio 920 AM (plus KOMP 92.3 FM) handles pregame and a 90-minute postgame show. Live streaming is available in-market via the Raiders+ app or Raiders.com; NFL+ covers out-of-market streams, with international options geo-blocked by region. Pregame coverage runs on FOX5 Las Vegas; postgame press conferences are streamed on YouTube, and updates roll in on the Raiders’ social channels.
With one preseason game left, the 49ers still have several open battles: Kaelon Black appears to lead the backup RB race over Jordan James, though injuries and late progress keep it undecided; third linebacker is trending toward Jaden Dugger in Raheem Morris’ hybrid role; starting left guard remains unsettled among four contenders; starting safety is unclear with Marques Sigle ahead for now after Malik Mustapha’s hamstring issue; Kurtis Rourke has emerged as the better third quarterback over Adrian Martinez; punt returner appears to be Jacob Cowing as the frontrunner among many candidates.
Bryan’s third 2026 Steelers 53-man roster projection, issued after the second preseason game and ahead of the finale in Buffalo, sticks with a four-quarterback depth chart (Rodgers, Rudolph, Will Howard, Drew Allar), a three-backfield, and a 24-man defense led by Heyward, Benton, and Watt. The piece preserves most core roles (six WRs, four TEs/FBs, nine OL) and leans on special teams and rookies like Spears‑Jennings for depth, while noting ongoing questions about Kaleb Wilson and the timing of Porter Jr.’s return from PUP/active status.”,
Falcons fans are debating whether to move on from Tua Tagovailoa after a rocky preseason, with talk that Atlanta could cut him in favor of Michael Penix Jr. or other younger options. Critics cite inconsistent play, a dropped snap, leadership concerns, and Tagovailoa’s injury history, while supporters say he remains a proven starter with upside. The piece notes that a trade or even retirement could be on the table, underscoring the broader debate about Tagovailoa’s fit and future.
JJ McCarthy has fallen behind Kyler Murray as Minnesota's QB starter and is now splitting second-team reps with Carson Wentz, signaling a roster bubble for the ex-Michigan star as the Vikings assess their quarterback depth ahead of the preseason finale.
Buffalo heads into the final preseason against Pittsburgh with cutdown day on Aug. 30 and a tight 53-man puzzle. The Bills have about 42 roster locks, but roughly a dozen players across offense and defense are fighting for the last 4–5 spots, including guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams, center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Chase Lundt, nose tackle DeWayne Carter, defensive tackle Greg Gaines, edge Mike Danna, inside linebacker Keonta Jenkins, and defensive backs Kani Walker, Toriano Pride Jr., Geno Stone and Te’Cory Couch. Some could land on the practice squad or IR; final decisions will hinge on positional needs, special-teams value, and how players perform in the Steelers game.
The Falcons released their unofficial depth chart for their final preseason game against the Miami Dolphins, set for 7 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Stadium. A notable update is that Michael Penix Jr. is listed as a starter alongside Tua Tagovailoa after being cleared to engage in full-team drills, with roster cuts looming over the weekend. The chart outlines starters and backups across offense, defense and special teams.
On3 unveiled its Preseason True Freshman All-America Team for 2026, spotlighting true freshmen across programs expected to contribute immediately, led by Tennessee QB Faizon Brandon, Michigan RB Savion Hiter, Ohio State WR Chris Henry Jr., USC EDGE Luke Wafle, Maryland EDGE Zion Elee, LSU DL Deuce Geralds and Richard Anderson, Alabama LB Xavier Griffin, Texas LB Tyler Atkinson, South Carolina DB J’Zavien Currence, Miami DB JJ Dunnigan, Washington DB Jeron Jones, and other top first-years primed to impact the 2026 season.
Todd Monken said Shedeur Sanders will not play in Cleveland’s preseason finale to give expanded reps to Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green, while Deshaun Watson was officially named the starter. Sanders had pressured for a competition with a strong summer, but Watson’s status as starter is maintained despite uneven early preseason showings; Sanders remains a potential future option, with the Browns unlikely to rush him given the current pecking order.
The San Francisco 49ers’ third 2026 preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Aug. 27 (5 p.m. PT) is covered with a full watch/listen guide: in-market TV on KPIX CBS 5 and Bay Area streaming via 49ers.com and the 49ers App; out-of-market streaming via NFL+; international access on Game Pass International (DAZN); Mexico broadcast on Fox Sports Mexico; radio via KSFO 810 AM, The Bone 107.7 FM and the 49ers Radio Network, plus Spanish radio on 49ers.com/esp and Mexico’s W Deportes 900 AM; plus social channels and extra options.