NFL Preseason Week 1: A Fresh Start and Key Storylines
As summer fades and the thrill of football returns, NFL fans are gearing up for the much-anticipated kickoff of the preseason. With Week 1 games on the horizon, the excitement is palpable. Here’s what to expect and what to keep an eye on as teams take the field for their first taste of competitive action this season.
NFL Preseason Week 1 Schedule
Thursday
No scheduled games.
Friday
- Browns at Panthers, 7 p.m. (NFL Network)
- Lions at Falcons, 7 p.m.
- Commanders at Patriots, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
- Giants at Bills, 1 p.m. (NFL Network)
- Texans at Vikings, 4 p.m. (NFL Network)
- Steelers at Jaguars, 7 p.m.
- Cowboys at Rams, 7 p.m.
- Titans at Buccaneers, 7:30 p.m.
- Jets at Packers, 8 p.m. (NFL Network)
- Chiefs at Cardinals, 8 p.m.
- Broncos at 49ers, 8:30 p.m.
Sunday
- Dolphins at Bears, 1 p.m. (NFL Network)
- Saints at Chargers, 4:05 p.m. (NFL Network)
Each game offers a chance to see how newly drafted players acclimate to the league, as well as how teams are shaping their rosters as they head into the regular season.
Top NFL Training Camp Stories
The preseason isn’t just about the games; it’s also a critical time for teams to assess talent. Here are some of the top stories emerging from NFL training camps ahead of Week 1:
- Lions Defense Takes Another Hit: The Detroit Lions have suffered yet another setback in their defensive lineup. Second-year cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. has been placed on injured reserve after undergoing successful surgery for a shoulder injury sustained during practice. His absence will leave a noticeable gap in the secondary, further complicating the Lions’ defensive strategies for the upcoming season.
- Travis Hunter Playing Both Ways: In an ambitious move, Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen announced that Travis Hunter will play both cornerback and wide receiver in the preseason opener against the Steelers. This dual-role experiment is rare in modern football but may showcase Hunter’s unique skills and adaptability on the field.
- Shedeur Sanders’ Final Tuneup: Cleveland Browns’ rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is set to start against the Panthers after impressing during joint practices. Coach Kevin Stefanski indicated that Sanders would get significant playing time, offering him a valuable opportunity to refine his skills with the second and third-string units. Fans will be watching closely to see how he performs under pressure.
NFL Team Feeds
Stay updated with the latest from each team as they gear up for the preseason:
- AFC East: Buffalo Bills | Miami Dolphins | New England Patriots | New York Jets
- AFC North: Baltimore Ravens | Cincinnati Bengals | Cleveland Browns | Pittsburgh Steelers
- AFC South: Houston Texans | Indianapolis Colts | Jacksonville Jaguars | Tennessee Titans
- AFC West: Denver Broncos | Kansas City Chiefs | Las Vegas Raiders | Los Angeles Chargers
- NFC East: Dallas Cowboys | New York Giants | Philadelphia Eagles | Washington Commanders
- NFC North: Chicago Bears | Detroit Lions | Green Bay Packers | Minnesota Vikings
- NFC South: Atlanta Falcons | Carolina Panthers | New Orleans Saints | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- NFC West: Arizona Cardinals | Los Angeles Rams | San Francisco 49ers | Seattle Seahawks
NFL Training Camp/Preseason Live Blog
Follow along below as Yahoo Sports tracks all the news, rumors, and updates from NFL training camps: