The NFL preseason is finally here, and entering Week 1, there are 36 former Illinois Fighting Illini rostered.
Action will kick off on Thursday, Aug. 13, with several matchups loaded with ex-Illini athletes. Here's everything you need to know as Illinois alumni battle for roster spots in Week 1 of the NFL preseason:
Thursday, Aug. 13
Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers
7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT on NFL Network
GB: Josh Gesky (ILL 2021-25); PIT: None
The first Fighting Illini alum to take the field is set to be Josh Gesky, who is currently listed as the Packers' third-string right guard.
Detroit Lions at Cincinnati Bengals
7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT on Local TV
DET: DB Kerby Joseph (ILL 2018-21), OL Melvin Priestly (ILL 2024-25), QB Luke Altmyer (ILL 2023-25); CIN: OL Ted Karras (ILL 2011-15), RB Chase Brown (ILL 2019-22)
With Lions backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's sudden retirement, Luke Altmyer has the opportunity this preseason to prove he deserves the job behind Jared Goff. Ted Karras and Chase Brown, being starters for the Bengals, will likely not play much this August.
Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots
7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CT on Local TV
IND: OL Josh Kreutz (ILL 2021-25); NE: QB Tommy DeVito (ILL 2022), OLB Gabe Jacas (ILL 2022-25), TE Tanner Arkin (ILL 2023-25)
Second-round pick Gabe Jacas will be in the spotlight after missing much of the summer due to a contract holdout. Tommy DeVito should get plenty of playing time in the preseason after the campaign that Patriots starting quarterback Drake Maye had last fall.
Arizona Cardinals at Las Vegas Raiders
8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT on ESPN app
ARI: OL Isaiah Adams (ILL 2022-23), TE Tip Reiman (ILL 2020-23); LV: None
Isaiah Adams is projected to be the Cardinals' starting right guard this season, whether that's in front of quarterback Jacoby Brissett or rookie passer Carson Beck. Tip Reiman is still on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list because of an ankle injury he suffered last year.
Los Angeles Chargers at Houston Texans
8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT on Local TV
LAC: LB Del'Shawn Phillips (ILL 2017-18), DL TeRah Edwards (ILL 2022-24), WR Dalevon Campbell (ILL 2019-21); HOU: LB Jake Hansen (ILL 2016-21)
Del'Shawn Phillips and TeRah Edwards are both listed as second-string defenders on the Chargers' depth chart, while Hansen is a third-string linebacker for the Texans.
Tennessee Titans at San Francisco 49ers
9:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. CT on NFL Network
TEN: DB Tony Adams (ILL 2017-21), WR Hank Beatty (ILL 2022-25); San Francisco 49ers: WR Malik Turner (ILL 2014-17), DB Nate Hobbs (ILL 2017-20), OL Vederian Lowe (ILL 2017-21), OL Doug Kramer (ILL 2016-21), DL James Thompson Jr. (ILL 2025)
Seven former Fighting Illini are rostered between the Titans and 49ers, including a pair of rookie undrafted free agents. Hank Beatty, in particular, has a real chance to earn a roster spot among a Tennessee wide receiver corps that is largely up for grabs.
Friday, Aug. 14
Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons
7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT on ESPN app
DEN: OL Alex Palczewski (ILL 2017-22), WR Pat Bryant (ILL 2021-24), DB Miles Scott (ILL 2021-25); ATL: DB Sydney Brown (ILL 2018-22)
Pat Bryant has garnered significant praise from Broncos head coach Sean Payton this summer, and he's projected to take on a much bigger role for Denver this season. Sydney Brown was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Atlanta Falcons in March.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets
7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT on NFL Network
TB: K Chase McLaughlin (ILL 2014-18); NYJ: WR Isaiah Williams (ILL 2019-23)
Isaiah Williams is currently listed as the Jets' No. 4 receiver behind Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell and rookie Omar Cooper Jr. His work as a return man should earn him a roster spot on special teams. Chase McLaughlin is entering his fourth season with the Buccaneers after a year in which he went 28-for-32 on field goals and 29-for-30 on extra points.
Miami Dolphins at Washington Commanders
7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT on Local TV
MIA: None; WAS: OL Nick Allegretti (ILL 2019-23), DB Quan Martin (ILL 2018-22), DL Jer'Zhan Newton (ILL 2020-23)
Each of Nick Allegretti, Quan Martin and Jer'Zhan Newton is projected to start for the Commanders at their respective positions this season. However, pressure is on Martin and Newton to perform nearing the end of their rookie contracts.
Saturday, Aug. 15
Carolina Panthers at Buffalo Bills
1:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. CT on Local TV
CAR: WR Casey Washington (ILL 2019-23); BUF: None
Casey Washington appears buried on the Panthers' depth chart, especially with the emergence of players like Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. He signed with Carolina in July after being released by the Atlanta Falcons.
Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears
1:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. CT on NFL Network
CLE: OL Kendrick Green (ILL 2017-20); CHI: None
Although Kendrick Green is rostered by the Cleveland Browns, he will not play against the Bears on Saturday. The former third-round pick was placed on injured reserve last Friday.
Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants
1:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. CT on ESPN app
MIN: None; NYG: OL J.C. Davis (ILL 2024-25)
J.C. Davis was a sixth-round pick in this spring's NFL Draft. He is listed as New York's third-string left tackle behind Andrew Thomas and Marcus Mbow on the Giants' latest depth chart.
Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks
8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT on NFL Network
DAL: None; SEA: DB Devon Witherspoon (ILL 2019-22)
Following a stellar season in which he helped bring the Seahawks to victory in Super Bowl LX and earned Second Team All-Pro honors, Devon Witherspoon has stamped himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the league. He likely won't play much this preseason.
Games Without Former Illinois Fighting Illini
Saturday, Aug. 15: Los Angeles Rams at Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars at New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens