| NFC NORTH |
| MINNESOTACould QB J.J. McCARTHY get cut? Ted Nguyen of The Athletic: While we’re on the subject of Vikings quarterbacks, McCarthy looked awful in Saturday’s preseason game against the Ravens. He missed on several passes, including a sure touchdown to Myles Price, who had no one near him on a rub concept. The throw could have been made with a little touch because of how open Price was, but McCarthy threw the ball fast and high. Throwing with touch has been one of McCarthy’s biggest shortcomings as a pro. To make matters worse, McCarthy left the game with an unspecified injury after taking a big hit at the end of the first quarter, leaving the door open for Carson Wentz to supplant him as the backup. |
| NFC EAST |
| DALLASWR CEEDEE LAMB lost some “high value personal items” to a burglary while he was in California for camp. ESPN.com: The Fairview Police Department said in a statement that officers responded to Lamb’s home July 31 and met with individuals representing the receiver, who reported the burglary. According to police, evidence suggests a single suspect entered and exited Lamb’s residence through a broken window and took “several high-end personal items.” The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, citing police records, reported Saturday that four luxury bags were stolen, property that is valued at over $300,000. The investigation remains active, according to police.– – -Brooke Cersosimo of NFL.com looks at the Cowboys backup QBs: Milton rising in Cowboys’ QB2 battle? The Cowboys’ QB2 competition between Sam Howell and Joe Milton III was even entering Saturday night’s game against the Cardinals. Milton started the game for Dallas (Howell started last week’s contest) and did everything he could — and then some — to show he’s worthy of backing up Dak Prescott in the regular season. After the opening drive stalled on downs in the red zone, the third-year QB led four straight scoring drives, three for touchdowns and another that ended with a 50-yard boot from Brandon Aubrey just before halftime. Milton’s three scores displayed his tremendous ability to extend plays and what he can do with his cannon of an arm: On the Cowboys’ first TD of the night, Milton evaded pressure in the pocket, rolled left and hit running back Malik Davis for 8 yards. He then launched a deep throw to Jonathan Mingo for a 53-yard score. Finally, Milton had a 1-yard TD run that was set up by a 70-yard pass play to receiver Camden Brown, last week’s preseason darling. Milton finished the night with 179 yards and two TDs on 9-of-13 passing, seemingly separating himself from Howell, who went 7-of-10 for 65 yards with an INT in the end zone. |
| NEW YORK GIANTSPer Kevin Patra of NFL.com, RB TYRONE TRACY, Jr. is fading on the Giants depth chart: Tracy’s roster spot in jeopardy? Last week, Tyrone Tracy Jr. whiffed on a block, leading to a crushing blow on Jaxson Dart. Then during the week, Big Blue inked veteran Najee Harris, which immediately inspired questions about Tracy’s job. Things got worse on Saturday. Tracy played second-fiddle to Devin Singletary, coming into the game on the second possession. The third-year pro ripped off back-to-back 11- and 12-yard runs. Then disaster struck. He fumbled, with the ball slipping out of his grip, two plays later as the Giants were on the doorstep of a second TD. The back wasn’t benched, playing 14 more snaps, but saw the ball just four times after the bumble. Tracy finished with six carries for 26 yards with the fumble and was clearly outplayed by Singletary (8/40/1). He allowed one pressure on three block attempts, per Next Gen Stats. The 26-year-old also began working on the kickoff team, something he hadn’t previously done, which could indicate the team wants him to do more to justify a roster spot. With Cam Skattebo the starter, Harris a recent addition, and Singletary looking the better back, Tracy could be a trade candidate ahead of final cuts. |
| NFC SOUTH |
| ATLANTAThe battle begins in earnest as QB MICHAEL PENIX, Jr. is “fully cleared” to return to action. Andy Backstrom of YahooSports.com: Michael Penix Jr. has been cleared for 11-on-11 competition, Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters Saturday after his team’s 34-6 road win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2 of the preseason. “He’ll practice Monday in team periods,” Stefanski said. Penix had been limited this offseason while recovering from a partially torn ACL that required season-ending surgery last year. That setback marked the 26-year-old’s fifth season-ending injury in the span of eight seasons between his college and NFL careers. Yahoo Sports college fantasy football.Play Yahoo’s new College Fantasy Football game: Create or join a league now! Since OTAs in the spring, the former Washington star’s practice participation has boiled down to individual work and 7-on-7 periods. Falcons quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt said earlier this offseason, according to ESPN, that the competition between Penix, the 2024 No. 8 overall pick, and former Miami Dolphins starter Tua Tagovailoa couldn’t truly begin until Penix was fully cleared. With one preseason game remaining and three weeks to go before Atlanta opens the regular season in Pittsburgh for a Sept. 13 matchup with the Steelers, the Falcons’ QB battle is poised to heat up. Atlanta signed Tagovailoa to a one-year deal in March. He’s reportedly playing on the veteran minimum, making a bit more than $1 million this season. While the Dolphins continue to pay Tagovailoa the gobs of money they owe him, the Falcons are probing if the one-time Pro Bowl signal-caller can return to the form that allowed him to lead the NFL in passing yards in 2023 and pace the league in completion percentage the following season. Tagovailoa, 28, hasn’t ran with the job in training camp. It didn’t help that he dealt with a back “flare up” early on. In the Falcons’ first preseason game, Tagovailoa completed 3-of-5 passes with 22 yards through the air against the Denver Broncos. On his first series, Atlanta went three-and-out. In the process, Tagovailoa muffed a shotgun snap prior to surrendering a 4-yard loss. Tagovailoa’s second drive was marred by Denver pressure. Browns name Deshaun Watson their starting QB for Week 1 after battle with Shedeur SandersMore concerns about Tagovailoa’s ability surfaced this week in Indianapolis, where the Falcons took part in joint practice with the Colts ahead of their exhibition meeting. Tagovailoa didn’t play Saturday against the Colts. Atlanta rode with journeyman Cooper Rush and rookie Jack Strand, a former undrafted free agent from Division II Minnesota State Moorhead. Strand threw for 212 yards in Indy and accounted for two touchdowns, one passing and one rushing. Rush got the ball rolling, hitting on 10 of his 11 passes for 86 yards. The focus is on Tagovailoa and Penix, though: a pair of lefties who’ve had their fair share of injury issues. Now that they’re both healthy, the final act of Atlanta’s preseason will be defined by how the QBs really measure up with no restrictions. |
| CAROLINAIs 2024 draft pick RB JONATHAN BROOKS ready to come to the fore? Garrett Podell and Zachary Pereles of CBSSports.com: Jonathan BrooksBrooks, who was the first running back drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft with the 46th overall pick in the second round by the Carolina Panthers, finally found the end zone in the NFL for the first time. Brooks tore his ACL in his final season at the University of Texas, and he missed the entire 2025 NFL season with another ACL tear he suffered in 2024. He is back in action this preseason, and Brooks was able to shimmy his way into the end zone from a yard out at the Jacksonville Jaguars. |
| NEW ORLEANSThe Saints and 49ers make a trade as New Orleans gets help at RB with ALVIN KAMARA out for awhile. Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com: The Saints are trading veteran linebacker Deion Jones to the 49ers in exchange for running back Zamir White, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. The Saints needed running back help with Alvin Kamara out at least a month with an MCL sprain. Devin Neal (hamstring) and Kendre Miller (back) have also missed time in camp with injuries. The 49ers signed White on Aug. 12 as they dealt with backfield injuries of their own. Christian McCaffrey returned to practice on Sunday. Jones reunites with 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris after the two were together with the Falcons from 2016-20. Jones was a Pro Bowler in 2017. Jones spent the past two seasons with the Bucs, and he played all 17 games last season. |
| NFC WEST |
| LOS ANGELES RAMSBobby Kownack of NFL.com thinks the Rams are fine if something happens to QB MATTHEW STAFFORD: Rams have stable QB room. There was plenty of excitement after Ty Simpson’s two-touchdown preseason debut last week, but Stetson Bennett made sure to remind fans that he’s also plenty capable. Given the entire first half to work with after manning two possessions last week, Bennett led four prolonged scoring drives, each going nine or more plays. He finished the two that went for touchdowns with his legs, the first of which required a gutsy dive for the pylon along the boundary. Bennett notably looked sharper the more he settled in. He was unafraid to uncork some deep but did especially well targeting the intermediate areas, going 7-of-9 for 102 yards on targets between 10-19 air yards, per Next Gen Stats. His final work of the day was a composed drive for a field goal after starting at his own 15 with 1:34 remaining in the first half. Simpson took all the second-half action. While he didn’t reach nearly the same heights as his first game, the rookie again looked composed. He led two 11-play drives, one ending on downs after Simpson badly misfired behind Tru Edwards and the other concluding in an angry run-style touchdown by Jarquez Hunter. Simpson finished 8-of-12 for 73 yards. While some will want to continue evaluating who the Rams might turn to if Matthew Stafford deals with any injures during the season, the main takeaway is the Rams should feel good about how both backup signal-callers have looked thus far — regardless of where they fall on the depth chart. |
| SAN FRANCISCORB CHRISTIAN McCAFFREY denies his recent absences from practice had anything to do with attempting to sweeten his contract in the wake of several big running back deals. Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com: Christian McCaffrey returned to practice on Sunday, his first time on the field with his teammates since Aug. 8. The 49ers’ terming his injury as “tightness” raised some eyebrows given he had calf tightness during the 2024 training camp that carried into the season. His absence has some others wondering whether it had anything to do with his contract. The running back said Sunday the time away was planned as part of his load management. “This was kind of part of the plan from the jump,” McCaffrey said, via David Bonilla of 49erswebzone.com. “Was to ramp up pretty big, get 9, 10 practices in, kind of come back down, and then ramp back up so we’re fresh for the duration.” McCaffrey played only four games in 2024 with what was later announced as Achilles tendinitis, and he had a separate injury to his posterior collateral ligament. The 49ers have been deliberate with his practice schedule since. McCaffrey, 30, led the league with 413 touches last year. “I can probably be my worst enemy in how much I just love being out there,” McCaffrey said. “I want to run. I want to go. I want every play. I’m a competitor. I love it.” He sounds as if he will be ready for Week 1. “I feel great,” McCaffrey said. “So I feel fresh, and it’s good to be back out there.” McCaffrey has watched Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson and Jonathan Taylor sign extensions this offseason, pushing him to the fifth-highest paid player at his position. He makes an annual average of $19 million a season and is under contract through 2027. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said recently that McCaffrey’s absence was not related to his contract.– – -More on 49ers prize rookie WR De’ZAUN STRIBLING from Garrett Podell and Zachary Pereles of CBSSports.com: De’Zaun Stribling San Francisco 49ers 2026 second-round pick wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, the rookie 33rd overall pick out of Ole Miss, is THE breakout star of the preseason this year. After catching four of his five targets for 46 yards receiving on Thursday against the Los Angeles Chargers, Stribling is now up to 11 catches for 109 yards receiving on 13 targets. That makes Stribling the first player since at least 2017 to produce at least 11 catches combined within the first 20 minutes of two consecutive preseason games, per CBS Sports Research. Many preseason All-Stars don’t end up contributing much outside of special teams for their respective squads, but it’s safe to say Stribling will have a place on head coach Kyle Shanahan’s play call sheet early this regular season. That’s especially true when factoring in how snake-bitten by injury San Francisco is at the position.– – -Word comes of an Ohio arrest and conviction for 49ers owner Jed York. Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com: San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York pleaded no contest to a pair of misdemeanor charges Monday after being arrested in Ohio on suspicion of engaging in prostitution. According to Columbiana (Ohio) court records, East Palestine Police arrested York on Sunday with a charge description of “engaging in prostitution.” The charge was amended to misdemeanor disorderly conduct after York pleaded no contest to that and an additional misdemeanor charge for possessing criminal tools. The court records say the local prosecutor filed the plea deal Monday morning as York pleaded no contest and paid $1,150 in fines ($150 for the disorderly conduct charge and $1,000 for the criminal tools charge). York also was sentenced to one day in jail for each charge, with one day already considered to be served. York has been the majority owner of the Niners since 2024 but has been the team’s chief executive officer since 2008. He is originally from Youngstown, Ohio. Criminal tools? |
| SEATTLEThe defending champs have lost three players this week. Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com: The Seahawks have taken three big losses before the season even starts. During the joint practice with the Titans earlier in the week, the Seahawks lost wide receiver Jake Bobo for the season with a right leg injury. During Sunday night’s preseason game in Tennessee, the Seahawks saw safety Bud Clark and offensive guard Mason Richman leave with injuries. Coach Mike Macdonald said after the 19-16 loss to the Titans that Clark and Richman were diagnosed with major injuries that will keep them out for months. “We have had three heartbreaking injuries this week,” Macdonald said, via Brady Henderson of ESPN. Clark, the team’s second-round pick, broke his ankle and will miss “multiple months.” He was injured on the Titans’ first play from scrimmage on a 9-yard run by Tony Pollard and wore a vacuum splint on his right leg as he left the field. Henderson reports that another of the Seahawks’ backup safeties, Rodney Thomas II, underwent surgery last week to repair a fracture in his hand. Thomas has a chance to return next week. It is unclear what Richman’s injury is, but Macdonald called it “long term.” Richman is the backup to Grey Zabel, though he started at left guard against the Titans with Zabel not playing. On the other hand, RB JACARDIA WRIGHT is emerging. Grant Gordon of NFL.com: Wright place, Wright time. In discussing the post-Kenneth Walker III rushing game for the Seahawks, Jacardia Wright’s name hasn’t been mentioned much. Maybe it should. An undrafted free agent in 2025 who spent most of the season on injured reserve, Wright looked like a promising straight-ahead runner who could be a chain-mover between the tackles. He also has some moves in his skill set and a bit of burst. He glided through the middle for a 69-yard second-drive touchdown Sunday, hitting 20.93 mph, per Next Gen Stats. A week prior, Wright didn’t play, but he’s now made a compelling argument for a roster spot and perhaps some opportunities. First-rounder Jadarian Price isn’t playing in the preseason. Zach Charbonnet continues his comeback from a torn ACL. Emanuel Wilson is nursing a hamstring injury. George Holani figures to get more opportunities in the regular season, but Wright could be a contributor. |
| AFC WEST |
| LAS VEGASRB ASHTON JEANTY went down at practice Sunday – with an ankle sprain. Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com: Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty, who had to be helped off the practice field Sunday, is believed to have sprained his ankle, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The Raiders still are unsure how long Jeanty will be out, but it is not considered a long-term injury. The Raiders declined comment. During the team practice period Sunday, Jeanty ran a route and dove for the football, which was thrown low by veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. Jeanty landed awkwardly on the turf grass inside the practice facility and stayed on the ground before being helped off the field by athletic trainers. As he was being helped off, Jeanty couldn’t put pressure on his right leg. His teammates took a knee and said a prayer after Jeanty exited the field. Rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. took the first-team reps for the remainder of practice. Washington, who has had a strong training camp, was alternating starting reps with Jeanty before the injury. Jeanty was selected with the sixth pick in the 2025 NFL draft. He started 17 games as a rookie, rushing for 975 yards and five touchdowns on 266 carries. He also had 55 catches for 346 yards and five touchdowns. He is expected to be a key figure in Year 2, as the Raiders want to be run-heavy under first-time head coach Klint Kubiak. Jeanty appeared in the preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals, but he and other projected starters did not play in the preseason win over the Houston Texans on Thursday. The Raiders’ running back depth beyond Jeanty consists of Washington, Dylan Laube, undrafted rookie Roman Hemby and Dare Ogunbowale. Las Vegas opens the season against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 13. Ted Nguyen of The Athletic has nice things to say about the rookie, RB MIKE WASHINGTON, Jr.: Mike Washington Jr.Raiders coaches have complimented Washington’s work ethic as the rookie running back learns the playbook. That’s a good sign, because in addition to his willingness to learn, the fourth-round pick possesses some off-the-charts physical traits. Washington is 6-2 and 228 pounds and ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the combine. In the preseason, he’s averaging 7.9 yards per carry and has had runs of 53 and 33 yards. He had a miscommunication with quarterback Fernando Mendoza that led to a pick-six, but preseason games are for making mistakes and learning from them. Raiders coach Klint Kubiak has said he wants to give Ashton Jeanty a Christian McCaffrey-like workload, but Washington appears to have earned some additional snaps with his big-play ability. He gets to the edge in a hurry, which is a prerequisite for an outside-zone system. (Jeanty also left Sunday’s practice with an apparent ankle injury, but he is not expected to be out for long.) Don’t expect this to be a Kenneth Walker III-Zach Charbonnet situation like Kubiak created in Seattle, but having another reliable back could help Jeanty stay fresh.– – -It’s still early, but CB JERMOD McCOY is healthy! Garrett Podell and Zachary Pereles of CBSSports.com: Jermod McCoy Tennessee All-SEC cornerback Jermod McCoy profiled as a likely first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft until the medicals surrounding his knee scared teams away. McCoy did suffer a torn ACL in January 2025, but fears about inflammation and arthritis in his knee caused him to tumble all the way down to being the 101st overall pick and a fourth-round draft choice. In the Raiders’ 22-20 preseason victory over the Texans on Thursday, McCoy appeared to be moving well and in phase with opposing wide receivers when tasked with dropping back into man coverage. Perhaps he can end up becoming the best value pick of the 2026 rookie draft class if given the opportunity to receive snaps with Las Vegas’ starting defense. |
| AFC NORTH |
| BALTIMORETed Nguyen of The Athletic hears the Ravens cornerbacks are playing well and that will key the entire defense: I spoke with The Athletic’s Alec Lewis, who covers the Minnesota Vikings, about their joint practices with the Baltimore Ravens. Both offenses struggled, as Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Ravens head coach Jesse Minter dialed up pressure. The Ravens corners looked fantastic against the Vikings’ talented receiving corps. The Ravens corners have struggled in recent seasons. If Ravens 2024 first-round pick Nate Wiggins can take the next step in his development, and Marlon Humphrey can bounce back, it’ll allow Minter to open up the playbook. With the Los Angeles Chargers, he had to protect his corners with scheme, so it’ll be interesting to see how his defense fares if he can trust his corners to play with more aggression. |
| CLEVELANDJust as QB DESHAUN WATSON was on the verge of becoming the Browns starting lineup, he has a postgame breakdown after Cleveland’s fans express a clear preference for someone else with their lungs. Armando Salguero of FoxSports.com: Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns fan base weren’t shy about showing their disdain for each other Saturday, even as the quarterback is locked in a competition with Shedeur Sanders for the starting job. So Watson is effectively fighting a two-front war now. Browns fans don’t like that Watson has delivered only 19 touchdown passes in 19 games during his $230 million contract. They don’t like that his time with the team has been punctuated by a suspension, a season-ending shoulder injury, a season-ending Achilles injury and another Achilles injury that kept him out all of last season. Watson is not their guy even though he’s on their team. And in Watson’s first game at Huntington Bank Field since 2024, he heard it from the fans as they booed him lustily. “It sucks,” coach Todd Monken said of the fan reaction. Watson, meanwhile, made it clear that if Browns fans don’t like him, the feeling is mutual. “It’s a disrespectful thing,” Watson said of the fan reaction. “So, yeah, I mean, I’m going to keep whatever I feel with me and my family internally on how I feel about that. “Last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles. And that same fan base, they cheered when I got hurt. So what does that have to do with anything about performance when a person gets hurt, especially for your own city? “And they cheer.” Watson said he’s tried to earn the love of the Browns fans. He thought being effectively away with injuries, doing charity work in town and working hard to get back on the field would endear him to the fans. “I guess it hasn’t,” he added. “So that’s why I say it’s more, it’s personal. It is what it is and there’s only so much you can do to change that.” That’s a huge problem for Watson right now. But that’s not his only issue. The fans who dislike him get an opinion from their seats and then they go home and nothing else happens. But Monken decides who will win the starting quarterback job between Watson and Sanders. And he thinks it is all definitely about performance. “They don’t want to get booed, it’s about playing good football,” Monken said. “Let’s play good quarterback. Let’s play good on offense, play good as a team, and then you don’t have to worry about all that. “When we play good football, everybody will be fine.” Shedeur Sanders throws a pass to Carsen Ryan during an NFL game.Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders throws a pass to tight end Carsen Ryan during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio, on Aug. 22, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) So who played “good” this game? It was Sanders over Watson. The statistics clearly leaned to Sanders who completed 9 of 11 passes for 74 yards with 1 TD and 1 interception. Sanders started the game and played the entire first half, mostly with Cleveland’s backups against Buffalo’s backups. Then Watson took over in the third quarter and played with second- and third-string guys against Buffalo’s second- and third-string defenders, and he struggled. He completed 5 of 12 passes for 36 yards and threw an interception. Watson may have collected more boos than passing yards. Monken, with the help of other leadership within the Browns organization, wanted to pick a starter by the start of next week. That timetable is uncertain now. Watson only half-jokingly said that if he earns the job, he’ll feel like he’s playing 17 away games this coming season based on the reaction from Browns fans. That won’t necessarily happen because Monken said Sanders offered “a lot there to like” with his performance. “He plays with a certain amount of confidence,” the coach added. “He has gotten a lot better at getting rid of the ball. He wants to make a play.” And he didn’t get booed by Browns fans, for what it’s worth. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com thinks Monken can start Watson in the first two games in Florida without a meltdown: Browns coach Todd Monken surely knows which quarterback he’ll name as the team’s starter on Monday. Given the extent to which he downplayed Deshaun Watson’s jarring postgame remarks from Saturday about being booed loudly by the home crowd, it’s hard not to wonder whether it will indeed be Watson. Based on Monken’s belief that quality play will quickly unruffle feathers, it’s possible that Monken is inclined to give Watson the first two games, both on the road at Jacksonville and Tampa Bay, to see if Watson can pull off an upset or two. If the Browns somehow start 2-0, the vibe could be much different when the Browns open their home schedule in Week 3 against the Panthers. However it goes, it seems clear that Monken won’t be making a 17-game decision right out of the gates. The man who wins the job as of Week 1 also wins the privilege of being the first guy benched. Monken has said the announcement is coming on Monday. Which means he knows. And when he begins telling others, it will be just a matter of time until someone blabs — and everyone knows. If nothing else, look for the Browns to curry favor with an insider or two by leaking it minutes before the official announcement is made. And with Monken due to speak to reporters again at 12:50 p.m. ET on Monday, expect to hear something late in the morning. If we don’t hear something tonight. Jason Lloyd of The Athletic reminds us why Watson is booed: Of course Deshaun Watson blamed the fans. Who else would he blame? Certainly not himself. Accountability has never been Watson’s strength, so there is no reason to expect him to discover it now. Not after more than 20 women accused him of sexual misconduct, not after an independent arbitrator ruled he committed sexual assault under the NFL’s definition and noted in her decision Watson’s “lack of expressed remorse.” Not at his introductory news conference when he said he had no regrets and didn’t need counseling, not two years ago when he tried to play the role of victim in all of this. And we haven’t even gotten to how awful he has been on the field, which is the inspiration for most of the vitriol from Browns fans. He has never accepted responsibility for becoming one of the worst quarterbacks in the league after the Browns took a franchise-altering gamble by trading for him and giving him the largest guaranteed contract in NFL history. Why would anyone expect him to start now, after another lousy performance? It’s easier to blame a few fans who unjustly cheered when he tore his Achilles at home two years ago. “I think the whole world knows it has nothing to do with performance,” Watson said after he was lustily booed Saturday in the Browns’ preseason loss. “It’s a little more personal than that.” Were those fans wrong for cheering an injury two years ago? Yes. Was it the entire stadium celebrating his misfortune? Absolutely not. But it’s been at least six years since an entire stadium cheered for Watson, so I understand his confusion. I don’t believe either of these quarterbacks is the answer, but I’m on record that if I have to choose between Watson and Shedeur Sanders for this season, there is no comparison. In my mind, Sanders is the easy choice. Nevertheless, Watson was in control of this quarterback competition for most of camp — and judging from coach Todd Monken’s comments Sunday, he still might be. All Watson had to do was finish out the round against the Bills. His score was irrelevant. Bogey, double bogey, three-putt, four-putt. It didn’t matter. The job seemed all but his. Just play one quarter against the Bills’ backups, tap out on 18, sign the scorecard and head home as the starting quarterback. Instead, he threw his clubs in the water, ran over the gallery with his cart and set the clubhouse on fire. “I feel like I get more love on road games than I do home games,” Watson said. In case he’s forgotten, Jacksonville Jaguars fans serenaded him with chants of “You sick f—” during his first appearance in a Browns uniform, a preseason road game after the allegations against Watson became public. Watson is not an NFL quarterback anymore, and he’s only here because the organization stubbornly refuses to end this toxic marriage. The Browns build rosters by spreadsheets and have no sense of human impact or emotion. He should’ve been cut after he tore his Achilles, when I had members of the organization telling me “it felt like a cloud had been lifted” because he was no longer around. Well, the cloud is back. As we go to press comes word that Monken has indeed named Watson as the starter for the opener in Jacksonville. Watson’s rival QB SHADEUR SANDERS is a stand-up guy, taking no solace in the boos of Watson. Tyler Lauletta of YahooSports.com: Sanders stuck up for Watson after the game and said he was disappointed in the boos he received. “I do not appreciate that at all,” Sanders said of the boos. “Regardless of competition, we’re all human beings.” “I don’t really do things to humans I wouldn’t want done to me,” he added, invoking a sort of inversion of the Golden Rule we’ve all been taught. “For all the fans, we appreciate y’all showing up and everything. However you feel about the situation with Deshaun, still, I think it’s more about a bigger purpose. Just respect. It’s just a respect thing, that I feel like should be there. Because we’re all out there trying to do our best. Trying to serve the franchise the best way possible. We’re going out there to win games. We’re doing everything we can do. So I don’t really appreciate that.”– – -Cleveland TE Dae’QUAN WRIGHT will become the first of what could be many players who have signed NFL contracts and participated with NFL teams to return to the college ranks. Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com: Browns tight end Dae’Quan Wright is poised to do something that once would have been unthinkable: Leave the NFL and go play in the NCAA. The Browns are waiving Wright, and he has an agreement in place to play for LSU this season, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. It’s possible that Wright could get claimed on waivers, which would complicate matters, although it sounds like Wright has decided he wants to play this year for LSU, where he surely has a lucrative NIL offer in place, and wait until next year to pursue the NFL. Wright going back to college after signing with an NFL team never would have been possible under the rules that have governed college football for more than a century, but those rules have gone out the window. The NCAA keeps losing court battles over player eligibility rules, to the point where there aren’t many rules left. Wright can play anywhere he wants in college, and he has chosen LSU. Wright spent his first two years of college football at Virginia Tech, then spent two more years at Ole Miss, where he played for Lane Kiffin, who will now coach him at LSU. Browns head coach Todd Monken called it “crazy” that a player currently on the Browns’ roster will be playing college football this season, but until the NCAA comes up with eligibility rules that can withstand court challenges, the sport is in crazy times. Wright was undrafted this past spring when it was believed his college eligibility had expired. He had 39 catches for Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss last year and was 2nd Team All-SEC. |
| PITTSBURGHThe Steelers have a contract dispute with CB JOEY PORTER, Jr. The AP: Mike McCarthy wants the chance to work with Joey Porter Jr. When McCarthy gets that chance is anyone’s guess, the Pittsburgh Steelers coach included. McCarthy said Monday that the club and the fourth-year cornerback are at an “impasse” as the two sides try to work out a new deal. The Steelers placed Porter on the physically unable to perform list when training camp opened with what the team described as a back issue that flared up during a mobility test. It seems Porter’s back problems are just part of the reason he has yet to take the practice field with the season opener against Atlanta less than three weeks away. “I learned this in my early years as a head coach, you have to separate the business from the football,” McCarthy said. “Sometimes it’s easier than others.” Porter is in the final season of the four-year deal he signed after the Steelers selected him with the first pick of the second round in 2023. While Pittsburgh has locked up other members of that draft class — including outside linebacker Nick Herbig and tight end Darnell Washington — Porter’s status seems a little more uncertain. The 26-year-old is coming off his best season as a pro, and he said during minicamp in June that he long felt he’s one of the top players at his position and that he believes he will be paid that way. The top of the cornerback market has been particularly hot of late, with Seattle’s Devon Witherspoon agreeing to a massive new deal and New England’s Christian Gonzalez getting offered one in recent weeks. Though Porter, who has three interceptions across three seasons, might not be in that neighborhood yet, he also might not be far off. Though he has deep ties to Pittsburgh — he grew up in the city while his father, Joey Porter Sr., played and then later coached for the Steelers — he didn’t rush to sign his rookie deal in 2023, waiting until the eve of training camp to do it. Porter essentially “held in” during minicamp, participating in individual drills but staying out of full 11-on-11 work, a not uncommon tactic by players seeking new contracts. McCarthy described the situation as a challenge, in part because the entirety of Pittsburgh’s defensive staff is in its first season. “Every one of us has a contract,” McCarthy said. “The organization, they have beliefs and so forth. So that’s where we are.” While Porter remains out, veteran defensive back Jalen Ramsey and rookie first-round offensive tackle Max Iheanachor returned to practice on Monday. Ramsey has been on the PUP list since the start of camp because of a knee injury sustained during minicamp in June. Iheanachor, taken 21st overall in the draft, hadn’t practiced since hurting his upper body on Aug. 6. McCarthy didn’t rule out Iheanachor making an appearance when Pittsburgh wraps up the preseason on Thursday night in Buffalo. |
| AFC SOUTH |
| HOUSTONThe Texans defense is looking real good and real deep with second round pick DT KAYDEN McDONALD impressing. Garrett Podell and Zachary Pereles of CBSSports.com: The Houston Texans defenseNo, Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, Derek Stingley Jr. and the rest of the starters from the NFL’s No. 1 total defense (277.2 total yards per game allowed) in 2025 weren’t on the field Thursday night, but the Houston Texans’ ferocious tenacity on defense certainly was. They bullied Las Vegas Raiders first overall pick rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza in the first half, generating an 80-yard pick six by fourth-round rookie linebacker Wade Woodaz and an 11-yard sack by second-round rookie defensive tackle Kayden McDonald. Seeing McDonald flash pass rush chops like this should send shivers down the spines of offensive coordinators all around the league. If there was an area Houston needed to shore up on their defense, it was defensive tackle, and they were able to do so by drafting McDonald, the 2026 NFL Draft’s top defensive tackle prospect in the eyes of many, including yours truly. McDonald, who is listed at 6-foot-3-inches tall while weighing 326 pounds, was more of a run stuffer than a pass rusher in college at Ohio State, but if he can find his groove early on when tasked to get after the quarterback, Houston’s defense could be a much greater problem for the rest of the league. |
| INDIANAPOLISThe Colts may be primed to claim a waived QB this weekend. Garrett Podell and Zachary Pereles of CBSSports.com: Anthony Richardson and Riley LeonardSimilar to the McCarthy situation, Anthony Richardson has gone from high draft pick to injured, inconsistent starter to just trying to be the primary backup in short order. And Richardson didn’t help his cause Saturday. Stats don’t always tell the whole story. Richardson played behind a leaky (to put it nicely) offensive line, and his pass catchers didn’t help him much, either. But 3-for-9, 24 yards with two sacks isn’t pretty, no matter how you paint it. He did have this nice run. Riley Leonard was pretty poor, too: 7-for-15 for 62 yards. The backup quarterback situation is pretty bleak. Don’t lose Philip Rivers’ phone number, I suppose. |
| AFC EAST |
| BUFFALOA June tragedy involving DT ED OLIVER has come to light. Tim Graham of The Athletic: Buffalo Bills DT Ed Oliver is mourning the death of his 2-year-old son, president of football operations and general manager Brandon Beane announced Saturday. The statement reads: “On behalf of the entire Buffalo Bills organization, we want to publicly express our condolences to Ed Oliver and his family on the devastating loss of his son. We will continue to support Ed and his family as we all grieve this tragic loss.” The team did not disclose a cause of death, but a medical examiner’s report in Montgomery County (Texas) lists a death on June 28 matching the name of Oliver’s son as an accidental drowning. “I’m a parent, right? And like, ever since I found out the news, it’s hard to, I mean, it was really hard,” Bills head coach Joe Brady said after the team’s preseason 31-7 win over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday. “I can’t fathom what he’s going through. There’s really not words to describe or, you know, in those moments. You know it’s, as a coach, as a father, it’s my job to be what he needs from me right now, and that’s loving him and giving him the privacy that he deserves. Whatever it looks like, no matter how someone might wanna handle it, it’s whatever, how he wants us to handle it and going through it.” Quarterback Josh Allen added after the game: “There’s nothing that you can say. There’s nothing that you can do. You have to let someone in a situation like that feel what they feel and do what they need to do. As his teammates, that’s what we’ve been doing is giving him his space and time, but at the same time being around him, loving up on him, but not trying to do anything to reopen that. I understand lot of the guys in the locker room knew, especially on the D-line. He spends a lot of time with those guys, and everyone’s just rallying around him. “Just guys being around him and putting their hand on him and not having to say too much except ‘I got your back. Let’s go play football.’ But guys are very cognizant of the fact of what he’s going through, how he’s feeling, what he’s feeling. We’re there for him in any way he needs us.” Oliver did not participate in the Bills’ joint practice with the Browns and did not play in their exhibition today at Huntington Bank Field because of an undisclosed injury. He played 10 snaps in the Bills’ preseason opener against the Panthers. Oliver is returning from a season in which injuries limited him to four games. He missed four games with an ankle injury and then the next 11 straight, including their first-round playoff victory over the Jaguars, with a torn left biceps. He returned for the elimination loss to the Broncos but managed only 16 snaps. Buffalo selected Oliver ninth overall in the 2019 draft. He has played in 109 games, including playoffs, with 32 sacks and nine forced fumbles. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| ALL-BREAKOUT TEAMWe might have said Bears QB CALEB WILLIAMS has already broken out, but he heads this team from CBSSports.com on who will do so in 2026: Thirteen voters, made up of CBS Sports NFL writers and analysts, voted on their All-Breakout Team for 2026, and here are the results for the offensive side of the ball. Voters: JP Acosta, Carter Bahns, John Breech, Doug Clawson, Jordan Dajani, Jared Dubin, Josh Edwards, Zach Pereles, Garrett Podell, Mike Renner, Tyler Sullivan, Ryan Wilson, R.J. White QuarterbackCaleb WilliamsCHI • QB • #18With four votes, Caleb Williams won a highly competitive vote that featured seven different quarterbacks. The former USC star took a massive jump from a dismal rookie season, especially in avoiding negative play. Williams was also absurdly clutch with an NFL-high six fourth-quarter comebacks. Now, he’s the “Madden” cover athlete. Still, there’s another level for him to reach, namely in his consistency and accuracy. Others receiving votes: Tyler Shough (3), Jaxson Dart (2), Bo Nix, Bryce Young, Cam Ward, Malik Willis (1 each) Running backBhayshul TutenJAC • RB • #33Eight different running backs got at least one vote, but Bhayshul Tuten garnered the most with four. The second-year Jaguars running back only averaged 3.7 yards per carry last year, but he had a 51.8% rushing success rate, 15th out of 67 players with at least 70 carries, and directly in front of James Cook. Others receiving votes: Ashton Jeanty (2), Omarion Hampton (2), Blake Corum, Jonathon Brooks, Jordan Mason, Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson (1 each) Wide receiversLuther Burden IIICHI • WR • #10Voters listened when Ben Johnson spoke at the outset of training camp. “I’m buying Luther Burden stock right now,” Johnson said in late July. “Just how he’s approached his offseason, it’s been electric.” Burden flashed major talent in limited talent as a rookie, finishing with 652 receiving yards. He’ll have a much larger role with DJ Moore now in Buffalo. Josh DownsIND • WR • #2The diminutive Josh Downs went from 72 catches and 803 yards in 2024 to just 58 catches and 566 yards last year, but it’s easy to see why a resurgence could be in store. The fourth-year pro is in line to see an expanded role after Indianapolis traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Steelers. Downs playing in two-receiver sets could lead to his first 1,000-yard season. He received five votes. De’Zhaun StriblingSF • WR • #15De’Zhaun Stribling’s spot on this team coincides with his excellent preseason. He has 11 catches for 109 yards and looks ready to step into a significant role immediately as the WR2 opposite Mike Evans. San Francisco received a lot of criticism for drafting Stribling No. 33 overall, but all the Ole Miss product has done since is impress. He received four votes. Others receiving votes: Marvin Harrison Jr., Matthew Golden, Parker Washington (3 each), Adonai Mitchell, Jack Bech, Ryan Flournoy (2 each), Darius Cooper, Isaac TeSlaa, Jalen Coker, Jalen McMillan, Rashid Shaheed, Romeo Doubs (1 each) Tight endColston LovelandCHI • TE • #84 Tucker KraftGB • TE • #85NFC North rivals Colston Loveland and Tucker Kraft received three votes apiece to lead the way at tight end. Kraft was on his way to a breakout last year — 30 catches for 469 yards and six touchdowns through Week 8 — before tearing his ACL in Week 9. The Loveland selection, on the other hand, is based on a strong finish that included a 137-yard performance in Chicago’s playoff win over Green Bay. Others receiving votes: Gunnar Helm, Chigoziem Okonkwo (2 each), Dalton Kincaid, Mitchell Evans, Isaiah Likely (1 each) Left tackleJosh SimmonsKC • OT • #71Josh Simmons, the No. 32 pick in last year’s draft, and Will Campbell, the No. 4 pick in last year’s draft, both received four votes. Simmons looked excellent in the eight games he played, but he missed time first due to personal reasons and later due to a season-ending wrist injury. Campbell was having a solid campaign before a late MCL injury, and his early-season work was overshadowed by a tough postseason. Also receiving votes: Jordan Morgan (2 votes), Aireontae Ersery, Anton Harrison, Troy Fautanu (1 each) Left guardGrey ZabelSEA • G • #76Grey Zabel started all 17 games (and all three playoff games) for the Super Bowl champs last year as a rookie. The No. 18 pick out of North Dakota State earned a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie team for his solid contributions and has all the makings of a Seattle stalwart for years to come. He received five votes. Others receiving votes: Dylan Fairchild (3 votes), Alec Anderson, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Christian Mahogany, Donovan Jackson, Mason McCormick (1 each) CenterZach FrazierPIT • C • #54One could argue Zach Frazier already broke out, as he was Pro Football Focus’ sixth-highest-graded center. He allowed just one sack across 598 pass-blocking snaps. A second-round pick out of West Virginia two years ago, Frazier could be an All-Pro — or at last a Pro Bowler — in 2026 if he develops at the rate he has so far. He received seven votes. Others receiving votes: Tanor Bortolini (2 votes), Cooper Beebe, Jared Wilson, Luke Fortner, Willie Lampkin (1 each) Right guardTyler BookerDAL • G • #52The No. 12 overall pick out of Alabama last year, Tyler Booker is an absolutely punishing run blocker who earned a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie team. ESPN had him with the eighth-highest run block win rate among interior offensive linemen, while PFF gave him the seventh-highest run blocking grade among guards. He received seven votes. Others receiving votes: Dominick Puni (2 votes), Cody Mauch, Francis Mauigoa, Teven Jenkins, Tyler Steen (1 each) Right tackleAmarius MimsCIN • OT • #71The hulking Amarius Mims, listed at 6-foot-8 and 350 pounds, was the most popular vote getter, receiving eight of the 13 tallies at right tackle. He is an otherworldly athlete for his size, and he took a significant jump from his rookie year to his second season, with another leap expected by our voters in Year 3. Others receiving votes: Armand Membou, Blake Miller, Jalen Travis, Jaylon Moore, JC Latham (1 vote each) |
