NFL Football 3d Briefing
×Last updated: August 21, 2026, 2:38 PM ET
Joint Practices Turn Violent, League Responds
The NFL fined the Cowboys and Saints espn.com $500,000 each after multiple fights broke out between the two teams during Tuesday's joint practice. The Saints-Cowboys session espn.com turned so physical that the coaches of each team discussed whether they needed to cancel practice altogether. Thursday's workout between the Dolphins and Giants was similarly chaotic, with multiple players espn.com pulled from the field for throwing punches during a fight-filled session. Eagles star Saquon Barkley espn.com said he hates back-to-back days of joint practices, adding that "one day is good" to avoid the skirmishes that regularly occur. Not every cross-team session ended badly, however, as Patriots receiver A.J. Brown said he has nothing but "love" for the Eagles and former teammate Jalen Hurts espn.com following the two teams' joint practice.
Injuries Mount in Joint-Practice Settings
Texans second-year wideout Jayden Higgins espn.com will miss the entire season after suffering a torn ACL during a joint practice with the Raiders, sources told NFL Network. Chargers center Tyler Biadasz espn.com was carted off the field after 49ers defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez fell into his left leg during Tuesday's session. Biadasz is now out indefinitely espn.com after suffering damage to his ACL and additional injuries to his left knee, sources told ESPN and NFL Network.
Browns QB Competition Intensifies
At Browns training camp espn.com, Deshaun Watson delivered a must-see throw in practice against the Bills as the quarterback battle heats up, with intel on position battles and potential breakouts continuing to emerge. Shedeur Sanders espn.com said Wednesday he is not feeling pressure with a decision at starting quarterback looming, ahead of the joint practice with Buffalo and his start in the second preseason game.
Raiders and Falcons Stall on QB Decisions
Raiders coach Klint Kubiak espn.com said he was not prepared to name a starting quarterback with one week left in the preseason, adding "I don't want anyone to be comfortable in their job." Week 2 of the preseason also left reporters questioning whether the Raiders' young secondary espn.com is ready for primetime. In Atlanta, Michael Penix Jr. has not been cleared to fully practice and Tua Tagovailoa espn.com has struggled, leaving the Falcons without a QB1 as the opener nears.
Steelers Set Preseason Rotation
The Steelers espn.com will start second-year quarterback Will Howard against the Jets on Friday, while 2026 fourth-round pick Drew Allar will follow him into the game. Meanwhile, rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza espn.com has earned praise as "a lifelong learner when it comes to football," and his studious history suggests he will be ready for Thursday's preseason game at Houston.
to the 2027 QB Market
We projected next year's quarterback market, identifying 16 NFL teams with QB1 questions espn.com for 2027 and outlining two potential outcomes for each, one likely and one not so likely. With the college season right around the corner, Jordan Reid also stacked all 31 draft-eligible QBs espn.com worthy of being picked next April by their current round grade.
Injury Wire: LaPorta, Warren, Kamara, Newton
Lions star tight end Sam LaPorta espn.com suffered a hip injury, and Detroit is unsure whether he will play in the regular-season opener. Colts tight end Tyler Warren espn.com sustained a groin injury in Wednesday's joint practice and did not return. Saints running back Alvin Kamara espn.com is expected to be sidelined for at least the next month with a sprained MCL, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Commanders defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton espn.com underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a torn pectoral muscle.
Seahawks Double Down on Cornerback Help
Former Cowboys Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs espn.com plans to sign a one-year deal with the Seahawks, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Wednesday, citing former teammates as part of the draw. Seattle is also still planning to sign cornerback Terrion Arnold espn.com, though the club is working through the timing and it will take a while.
Giants Add Harris, Move Faalele
The Giants signed free agent running back Najee Harris espn.com to a one-year deal, and the veteran declared he has "a lot to prove" after joining New York. The club is also trading guard Daniel Faalele espn.com to the Jaguars for a sixth-round draft pick in 2027, sources confirmed to ESPN.
Von Miller Brings Championship Pedigree to Dallas
Von Miller, spoke to reporters Tuesday at training camp in Oxnard, California, declaring "I'm here to win" after joining the Cowboys espn.com on a one-year contract, and the club will work the veteran linebacker into the rotation. Coaches in Dallas are also seeking consistency from Terence Steele espn.com at right tackle, while George Pickens has shined in camp.
49ers Reunite With Familiar Faces
Dre Greenlaw espn.com and Deebo Samuel are back in key roles for the 49ers, raising questions about how Greenlaw slots in at linebacker and whether Samuel will again be a rushing threat in his second stint in San Francisco. Coach Kyle Shanahan, meanwhile, dismissed the idea that Christian McCaffrey espn.com is sitting out practice because of a desire for a new contract, saying the team is merely being cautious with its star running back.
Bucs Lock In Vea; Mayfield Sounds Off
Vita Vea says his end goal was never a trade away from Tampa Bay, adding that he wants to be a Buc for life espn.com after signing an extension. Quarterback Baker Mayfield espn.com, who will play Saturday in the Bucs' second preseason game against the Chiefs, brushed aside critics and predicts that Tampa Bay will "shock a lot of people this year."
Jaguars Activate Van Lanen; Bills Get Moore Back
The Jaguars espn.com activated offensive tackle Cole Van Lanen from the PUP list as he makes his return from a knee injury that forced him to miss Jacksonville's playoff loss last season. At Bills training camp, DJ Moore espn.com returned to practice, one of several updates on QBs, position battles and potential breakouts.
Fantasy Football: Tiers, Sleepers and Falling Stocks
Eric Karabell breaks his running backs into tiers, helping managers identify where value drops off espn.com throughout the draft. His wide receiver rankings espn.com follow the same tiered approach. Liz Loza identifies six players generating excitement who could eventually turn into league winners espn.com. Deeper-league managers should monitor Beck espn.com among the truly off-the-radar sleepers for 2026. In our latest mock draft, Puka Nacua espn.com and Jeremiyah Love dropped due to recent injury news and word of potential suspensions. Bears second-year tight end Colston Loveland espn.com is making a name for himself on and off the field as a rising fantasy star.
Rosters Ranked, Contenders Declared
We ranked all 32 NFL teams across 10 different position groups, identifying which roster has the best running backs and the shakiest edge rusher room espn.com. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is tired of waiting, declaring "this is it" as he targets a Super Bowl espn.com after Cincinnati improved its defense following a third straight year without a playoff berth. The Patriots enter 2026 as "the team being hunted" espn.com after an eventful offseason with significant roster turnover and a harder schedule. Detroit invested $1 billion in contract extensions and a rebuilt offensive line, and the Lions espn.com will see contenders at SoFi despite their 2025 slump. ESPN's countdown to Super Bowl LXI series also ranks the best teams to suffer historic near misses espn.com without winning it all, including the 2023 Ravens. In Chicago, Ben Johnson's offense is much more than just Caleb Williams espn.com, with a deeper look unveiling the beauty of Johnson's offensive system.
Panthers Building Momentum
Bryce Young and Tetairoa McMillan espn.com put on a show in Jacksonville during Panthers training camp. Fifth-year linebacker Devin Lloyd espn.com has impressed while wearing the green dot as a badge of honor for Carolina's defense, with efficient huddle communication proving vital to the role.
League News and Notes
Commissioner Roger Goodell said there is "no doubt" that the NFL will eventually have a team permanently based espn.com outside the United States. Ottawa's Akheem Mesidor espn.com, drafted No. 22 by the Chargers, hopes to usher in the next generation of Canadian NFL players, declaring "we have dogs in Ottawa." Former Ole Miss starters Dae'Quan Wright, Zxavian Harris and Wydett Williams, all of whom signed with NFL teams this summer, were among a group of athletes granted a temporary restraining order for a fifth year espn.com of college eligibility.
Personal Stories Beyond the Field
Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell espn.com asked for continued prayers and support after publicly addressing the death of his mother and his brother's murder charge for the first time Tuesday. Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy espn.com said his wife, Mia, is on a "great road to recovery" after she was allegedly shot by the couple's son last month in the family's home.