NFL Football 24 Hours

Last updated: August 29, 2026, 2:46 PM ET

Roster Moves & Injuries

The NFL's roster cutdown period is in full swing, with teams making tough decisions ahead of the season. The Bills are releasing veteran returner and wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr., along with punter Mitch Wishnowsky, according to sources. Meanwhile, the Giants have acquired defensive tackle CJ Okoye from the Ravens in exchange for a 2028 seventh-round pick. ESPN is tracking all moves across all 32 teams as the deadline approaches.

The Cowboys' Marist Liufau is scheduled for surgery on a fractured left forearm suffered in Friday's preseason finale, with coach Brian Schottenheimer indicating he'll miss significant time. Ravens kicker Tyler Loop missed field goals of 51 and 58 yards against Washington, drawing boos and raising doubts about his roster spot. The Broncos' Marvin Mims Jr. left with a foot bruise that coach Sean Payton says is not serious, while Jets rookie Chip Trayanum was taken to a hospital with a neck injury but is expected to be "just fine." Vikings' J.J. McCarthy sat out the preseason finale with an ankle issue that isn't considered long-term.

Quarterback & Player News

Bucs GM Jason Licht is "very confident" about retaining quarterback Baker Mayfield beyond the 2026 season, despite Mayfield's recent comments about feeling "disrespected." Packers coach Matt LaFleur says he "fully anticipates" running back Josh Jacobs will remain on the team after being charged with two misdemeanors for an alleged incident earlier this year. In a remarkable family story, the LaFleur brothers — Matt and new Cardinals coach Mike — meet at Lambeau Field this week, a family reunion never expected.

Fantasy & Analysis

Adam Schefter's annual fantasy football cheat sheet is out, loaded with his favorite draft picks and sleepers at every level. For those in 10-team leagues, best picks by slot for Rounds 1 and 2 offer strategic planning. In terms of projected production, sack leaders for 2026 have Aidan Hutchinson topping the list over Myles Garrett, per Seth Walder's projections.

Around the League

A concerning trend: six NFL teams are now using GoPro* cameras on their quarterbacks in practice, though not always for the expected player-development purposes. On the business side, Polymarket withdrew its plan to offer a market on Patrick Mahomes' return after CFTC guidance indicated the NFL says such markets should be prohibited. In an alarming off-field story, a man named Daejon Love was arrested on federal charges, along with Taylor A., for defrauding over two dozen women out of $1 million by pretending to be a 49ers player.

Team Watch

Ben Solak ranks all 32 NFL teams by watchability, starting with Chicago as a must-watch match. The Raiders face tough questions ahead of cutdown day, including whether to keep three signal-callers. And down the line, the rookie progress report checks how all 257 draft picks are faring with their new teams.