NFL Football 24 Hours

Last updated: August 21, 2026, 2:52 PM ET

Joint Practices Turn Testy

Tempers boiled over at several camps this week. Saquon Barkley said he hates back-to-back days of joint practices, adding that "one day is good" to avoid the skirmishes that regularly occur during the sessions. Thursday brought the ugliest scene yet, as multiple players from the Dolphins and Giants were pulled from their joint practice for throwing punches during a fight-filled workout. The league has since levied financial punishment as well, fining the Cowboys and Saints $500,000 each after multiple fights broke out between the two teams during Tuesday's joint practice.

Quarterback Races Still Wide Open

Three franchises enter the final week of the preseason without a named starter. In Cleveland, Deshaun Watson delivered a must-see throw in practice against the Bills as his battle with Shedeur Sanders continues to heat up. Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said he wasn't prepared to name a starting quarterback, adding "I don't want anyone to be comfortable in their job." Atlanta's situation looks the shakiest of all: Michael Penix Jr. hasn't been cleared to fully practice, and Tua Tagovailoa has struggled, leaving the Falcons without a clear QB1 as the opener nears.

Health and Contract Notes

Detroit is holding its breath after Sam LaPorta suffered a hip injury, and the Lions remain unsure whether the star tight end will play in the regular-season opener. In Tampa Bay, Vita Vea dismissed any suggestion that he wanted out, saying his end goal was never a trade away from the franchise and that he wants to be "a Buc for life."

Preseason Week 2 Notebook

Our NFL Nation reporters are tackling the biggest roster questions coming off Week 2 of the NFL preseason, including whether the Raiders' young secondary is ready for primetime and how the Texans will sort out their offensive line concerns. Rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza credits his meticulous notebook habit for his rise, and his studious history suggests he will be ready for Thursday's preseason game at Houston. In Oxnard, coaches are seeking more consistency from Terence Steele at right tackle, while George Pickens has been shining at Cowboys training camp.

Fantasy Draft Prep

Draft season is in full swing. Eric Karabell has broken his running back rankings into tiers, helping managers identify exactly where value drops off throughout the draft, and he has applied the same tiered approach to his wide receiver rankings. Managers in deeper leagues should also study the deep sleepers list, which highlights off-the-radar types — including Beck — who could emerge in 2026.

Rankings and the Road to 2027

ESPN's comprehensive position group rankings grade all 32 teams across 10 different position groups, identifying which roster boasts the best running backs and which has the shakiest edge rusher room. Looking further ahead, analysts projected the 2027 quarterback market for 16 teams with QB1 questions, offering one likely outcome and one long-shot possibility for each. Jordan Reid also stacked the 2027 NFL draft quarterback board, grading 31 draft-eligible passers by their current round grade with the college season right around the corner.

Around the League

Ottawa is having an NFL moment: Akheem Mesidor became the city's first first-round pick when the Chargers selected him No. 22 overall, and he hopes to pave the way for the next generation of Canadian players. In Cincinnati, Joe Burrow declared "This is it," targeting a Super Bowl run after the Bengals upgraded their defense following a third straight year without a playoff berth. San Francisco, meanwhile, is bringing back the "bullies": Deebo Samuel and Dre Greenlaw are back in key roles for the 49ers on second stints with the club.