The opening week of the NFL preseason comes to a close on Saturday, with seven games punctuating the first sweep of exhibitions.
There are a bevy of storylines to follow, perhaps most notably the Cleveland Browns’ position battle under center that will take center stage in Chicago, where the Bears conversely will be resting their QB1, Caleb Williams.
Play Yahoo's new College Fantasy Football game: Create or join a league now!
Here's a look at who's in and who's out for the first portion of Saturday’s NFL preseason schedule:
Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills
NOTABLES PLAYING
Panthers: Starters, including QB Bryce Young, WR Tetairoa McMillan, LB Devin Lloyd, LB Jaelan Phillips
Bills: Starters, including QB Josh Allen, RB James Cook III, WR DJ Moore, LB Greg Rousseau, LB Bradley Chubb
NOTABLES OUT
RB Chuba Hubbard (Panthers)
As Buffalo christens its new Highmark Stadium, Josh Allen will see preseason action for the first time since Aug. 10, 2024. That year, he played one series against the Bears before sitting out the final two preseason games. Last time around, he didn’t even take the field for one exhibition. But first-year head coach Joe Brady is adopting a different approach. He’s playing his healthy starters in their preseason opener, at least for a little. So is Carolina Panthers’ frontman Dave Canales, who took a more conservative strategy into a Hall of Fame game that was highly entertaining nonetheless (in part, thanks to Haynes King’s heroics). That means Bryce Young will be taking some snaps, as will new linebackers Devin Lloyd and Jaelan Phillips, the latter of whom Carolina signed to a four-year, $120 million contract in free agency.
Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard is currently week-to-week with a hamstring injury that he picked up during practice this week. Canales said he’s confident Hubbard will be ready for Week 1, but on Saturday, Carolina’s RB room will be headlined by Jonathon Brooks and Trevor Etienne.
Cleveland Browns vs. Chicago Bears
NOTABLES PLAYING
Browns: QB Deshaun Watson, QB Shedeur Sanders, RB Quinshon Judkins, WR Jerry Jeudy, LT Spencer Fano
Bears: WR Jahdae Walker, CB Malik Muhammad II
NOTABLES OUT
A number of Bears starters, including QB Caleb Williams
As referenced above, all eyes will be on the Browns’ quarterback competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. Watson is getting the start on Saturday in Chicago, whereas Sanders will receive an opportunity of that kind next week at home against the Bills. The plan is for both to be in for one half of play on Saturday, ideally with each experiencing a two-minute drill. Cleveland’s starters are slated to put the wheels in motion. Meanwhile, Bears head coach Ben Johnson noted this week that a number of starters on his team will be sitting, namely Williams, who might not play in the preseason at all this year.
While not confirmed, it’s possible a starter like rookie safety Dillon Thieneman is out there against the Browns, considering the first-round pick could use some in-game reps before Week 1 rolls around.
Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Giants
NOTABLES PLAYING
Vikings: QB Kyler Murray, QB J.J. McCarthy, WR Jauan Jennings
Giants: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (and reportedly the expectation is QB Jaxson Dart and other starters will play)
NOTABLES OUT
WR Justin Jefferson (Vikings), WR Jalin Hyatt (Giants)
This week, the Vikings tabbed Kyler Murray as their starter. The former Arizona Cardinals signal-caller will make his debut in purple and gold on Saturday, giving fans their first glimpse of the dual-threat quarterback in Kevin O’Connell’s system. J.J. McCarthy, who said he remains committed to Minnesota despite losing out on the top gig, will get some run, too. Although a bunch of Vikings starters will be on the field against the Giants, according to multiple reports, it appears likely superstar wideout Justin Jefferson will be watching from the sidelines.
New York will be without 2023 third-round pick Jalin Hyatt for the first game of John Harbaugh’s head-coach stay with the Giants. Harbaugh was cagey about who would play in the preseason opener at MetLife Stadium. It’s fair to assume Big Blue faithful will get a nostalgic look at Odell Beckham Jr., who’s back with the team for the first time since 2018.
This story is being updated.