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Training Camp UpdateVolume 12, Issue 4 – 8/30/17

We say it all the time because it's true: Things change fast in the NFL. And they never change faster than they do in August. And nobody covers those changes and team situations more comprehensively than Footballguys.com. Our Training Camp Updates come out once a week in August and our staff covers everything you need to know about every NFL team. This is the deep stuff that gives you an edge. We're not going to rave that Cam Newton, Antonio Brown or even David Johnson is great. You already know that.

Read our weekly updates to get the inside scoop on how the Bears running backs are practicing and which player is the best bet for your draft. Or the Saints WR corps. Or which Browns receiver is shining in practice. It's the kind of information that will put you over the edge and on the way to dominating your draft.

Happy reading and let's have a great 2017 season,

Joe Bryant and David DoddsOwners, Footballguys.com

Follow our Footballguys Training Camp crew on Twitter: @FBGNews, @theaudible, @football_guys, @sigmundbloom, @JayBWood, @MattWaldman, @CecilLammey, @bobhenry, @Andrew_Garda, @AdamHarstad, @a_rudnicki, @draftdaddy, @JamesBrimacombe, @Hindery, @RyanHester13, @Bischoff_Scott, @cm_feery, @PhilTWR, @xfantasyphoenix, @JustinHoweFF, @JuMosq

Arizona Cardinals

QB: Carson Palmer played meaningful snaps against the Falcons, completing 8-of-13 passes for 86 yards and a touchdown pass to John Brown. The veteran passer doesn’t need to overdo it in the preseason, which explains his limited playing time. Blaine Gabbert’s quest to displace Drew Stanton failed; Stanton remains the

backup. “Oh, the decision has been made,” head coach Bruce Arians said, emphasizing Stanton will be the backup. Gabbert still doesn’t know the offense well, and he’s been going against vanilla defenses. Stanton is due to become a free agent after this season and Gabbert is scheduled to be a free agent in March. When asked if the team would be willing to trade Gabbert if another team came calling, Arians said, “That’d be a tough decision, that’d be an interesting conversation.”

RB: David Johnson touched the ball once versus Atlanta, catching an eight-yard pass. Veteran running back Chris Johnson had a disappointing game as he fumbled twice in the first quarter and dropped a pass. When asked if Johnson’s roster spot was secure, Arians said, “No one’s is. We still have another game. We’ll wait and see.”

WR: John Brown’s return from a quadriceps injury was the big news of the week. Brown quickly reminded everyone why he’s enticing in fantasy drafts. He caught two passes for 49 yards; both went for touchdowns. “It’s been difficult, but it’s stuff I’ve handled many times in my life, so I know how to handle the situation,” said Brown, “It makes me more comfortable to be able to be here with my teammates.” “He went through a lot,” Carson Palmer said. “You feel a lot of different emotions for him. It’s really good to see him back.” Rookie wide receiver Chad Williams lost a fumble in the third quarter. Williams has struggled in recent weeks, and this fumble won’t help gain the coaches’ trust. A week after Arians called him the team’s #2 receiver, Jaron Brown caught 2-of-4 targets for nine yards. J.J. Nelson caught one of two targets for 13 yards and provides the Cardinals with a deep threat.

TE: Jermaine Gresham, Troy Niklas, and Ifeanyi Momah are likely to make the 53-man roster. Gresham has secured the top spot, Niklas looks locked into the number two role as a blocker, and Momah has been trending in the right direction all preseason.

Defense: Safety Tyrann Mathieu looks to be in excellent shape as he recorded an interception in back-to-back preseason games. The defensive starters looked sharp against Matt Ryan and the Falcons first team offense. The defense limited Ryan to 4-of-11 passing for 36 yards and an interception. All-Pro Patrick Peterson is having a stellar preseason. “I’m lighter than I’ve ever been,” Peterson said. “I am lighter even than when I came back from the 2014 season (and a Diabetes diagnosis). I’m at 201 pounds right now. As I get older, I want to make sure I keep that weight down. Once you get older, your body doesn’t react to certain things like it used to. You don’t recover as fast as you used to, so I have to make sure I’m staying on top of those things so I can play as long as I want.” Outside linebacker Cap Capi made his case for the team’s final 53-man roster with

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seven tackles, three quarterback hurries, 1.5 sacks and a tackle for loss against the Falcons.

Returners: The past week has brought little change to Arizona's return game. Kerwynn Williams has missed time with a minor foot injury, but remains the team's top option on both kickoffs and punts, at least until T.J. Logan is potentially able to return from injured reserve at midseason.

OL: The first team offensive line was without the services of left guard Mike Iupati in the preseason win over the Atlanta Falcons. Iupati has not been playing well recently, and his triceps injury could be the explanation. In Iupati’s place, John Wetzel got the start at left guard over Cole Toner. Wetzel had been subbing in at left tackle for D.J. Humphries, and he appears to be the first man off the bench regardless of position. Right guard Evan Boehm was called for a false start on third and long, but overall the line did a great job keeping quarterback Carson Palmer upright against Atlanta’s defense. Assuming Iupati is available for opening day, the Cardinals line grades out as a good but not great unit.

Cardinals Depth ChartQB: Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton, Blaine Gabbert, Trevor KnightRB: David Johnson, Chris Johnson, Kerwynn Williams, Andre Ellington, Elijhaa Penny, James Summers, T.J. Logan (IR)WR: Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown (PR) (inj), J.J. Nelson, Jaron Brown, Chad Williams, Carlton Agudosi, Brittan Golden, Krishawn Hogan, Aaron Dobson, Marquis Bundy, Chris Hubert, Jeremy Ross, Ricky Seals-Jones, Larry ClarkTE: Jermaine Gresham, Troy Niklas, Hakeem Valles, Ifeanyi MomahLT: DJ Humphries, John WetzelLG: Mike Iupati, Cole TonerC: A.Q. Shipley, Taylor BoggsRG: Evan Boehm, Dorian JohnsonRT: Jared Veldheer, Will HoldenK: Phil DawsonNT: Corey Peters, Rodney Gunter, Xavier Williams, Olsen PierreDE: Frostee Rucker, Robert Nkemdiche, Josh Mauro, Ed Stinson, Nordly CapiILB: Deone Bucannon, Karlos Dansby, Haason Reddick (O), Scooby Wright, Zaviar Gooden, Philip Wheeler, Gabe Martin, Alani FuaOLB: Chandler Jones, Markus Golden, Jarvis Jones, Kareem MartinCB: Patrick Peterson (PR), Justin Bethel, Brandon Williams, Harlan Miller, Elie Bouka, Tramon Williams, Ronald Zamort (inj)S: Tyrann Mathieu (FS), Antoine Bethea (SS), Tyvon Branch, Budda Baker, Rudy Ford, Christian

Bryant, Trevon HartfieldCoaches:Head Coach: Bruce Arians, Off Coord: Harold Goodwin, QB Coach: Byron Leftwich, RB Coach: Freddie Kitchens, WR Coach: Darryl Drake, TE Coach: Rick Christophel, SpecTm Coach: Amos Jones, Def Coord: James Bettcher, DL Coach: Brentson Buckner, LB Coach: Bob Sanders, LB Coach: Larry Foote, DB Coach: Kevin Ross, DB Coach: Nick Rapone

Atlanta Falcons

QB: New offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian is tweaking the offense and not making wholesale changes. “My goal was to come in and get comfortable with what they had done,” Sarkisian told Atlanta Falcons.com’s Will McFadden, “and a lot of what they had done, philosophically, really sat well with me, because I had done a lot of it in the past. And then it was starting to incorporate some things that could help the offense.” Expanding and diversifying the route trees for Mohamed Sanu and Taylor Gabriel has been one focus. Getting input from Matt Ryan has been another. So has including routes that pair the running back and tight end into the same flat. As analyst and former safety Coy Wire noted, the defense has to work through the tight end to reach the back, which should increase production on those passes. While the starting offensive line looks healthy, injuries to a number of the primary backups have hurt the depth and resilience of the unit.

RB: Devonta Freeman did not play in the Saturday dress rehearsal after suffering a concussion the week prior, but he was cleared and returned to practice on Tuesday. Tevin Coleman emerged from training camp healthy, and he has appeared more comfortable as a zone runner. He looks especially good when working with former Seattle fullback Derrick Coleman leading the way. Terron Ward has outplayed Brian Hill throughout the preseason, both on offense and special teams. Atlanta gave Hill an opportunity to shine with the first-team offense against the Cardinals, but he only had one quality run and showed poor decision-making. A lower leg injury capped his night, and likely ends his bid to win the #3 job over Ward.

WR: Julio Jones, Sanu, Gabriel, and Justin Hardy are atop the depth chart, as expected. Jones made his preseason debut against the Cardinals but was only targeted once. Andre Roberts, Marvin Hall, Reggie Davis, Josh Magee, Deante Burton, and Anthony Dable are fighting for one or two remaining roster spots. Roberts has the edge over the pack because of his special teams prowess. Davis has been consistent and

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has big-play speed. Hall has done good work on special teams and he played for Sarkisian at Washington. Magee had a 56-yard score on a screen play against the Cardinals and has great speed, but has not stood out otherwise. Burton has made plays in traffic but has been quiet in recent weeks. Dable is the most athletic of the group.

TE: Austin Hooper and Levine Toilolo will helm the Falcons’ starting tight end rotation, which will often feature two tight ends and send both options on routes during play-action, misdirection calls. Eric Saubert has committed multiple penalties during the preseason, but he has also flashed downfield burst before and after the catch. Joshua Perkins played under Sarkisian at Washington but is arguably the worst blocker on the depth chart. Darion Griswold has the least experience in the scheme, but if there’s a surprise on the depth chart, it would be the team keeping him ahead of Perkins.

K: Matt Bryant has done nothing to suggest that he won’t remain a consistent starter.

Defense: The four turnovers that the defense forced against Arizona this week were a reflection of the team’s focus on team speed, depth, and takeaways. Safety Ricardo Allen told McFadden, “We’ve built so much depth that we can do it all now. We can play zone, we can play man, we can all blitz. We’ve got it now that our packages are just huge; we can do anything we want to. Our rotations, people can’t tell, because it’s not just going to be one guy doing one thing anymore.” Look for rookie Takkarist McKinley to have an instant impact as a situational pass rusher. McKinley has often dominated one-on-one drills, and he displayed excellent burst as a pass rusher and in run pursuit against Arizona. He could have a big rookie year thanks to the play of interior linemen Grady Jarrett and Dontari Poe, who will make it harder for opposing units to double team the edge defenders. Add Jack Crawford to the mix—a 280-pound who repeatedly earned quick penetration against the Cardinals—and the Falcons defensive front looks formidable.

Returners: With journeyman Andre Roberts entrenched as the return specialist for 2017, all eyes will be on Marvin Hall as he tries to secure the backup role – and a spot on Atlanta's 53-man roster – in the team's final preseason game.

OL: The first team offensive line had a quiet night in the preseason loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Quarterback Matt Ryan threw an interception early, but the pocket was clean, and no fault of the line. The rushing attack was productive, led by right guard Wes Schweitzer, who maintained his lead on the job over Ben Garland. Their position battle has been tight, but the coaching staff likes

Schweitzer’s size and projects the veteran Garland more as the backup center than as the starting guard. Atlanta’s line remains a top-tier unit.

Falcons Depth ChartQB: Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub, Matt Simms, Alex TorgersenRB: Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman (KR), Terron Ward, Brian Hill (inj), B.J. Daniels, Kelvin TaylorFB: Derrick Coleman, Tyler RenewWR: Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Taylor Gabriel, Justin Hardy, Andre Roberts (KR/PR), Nick Williams, Reggie Davis, Anthony Dable, Deante Burton, Josh Magee, Reginald Davis III, Devin Fuller (IR)TE: Austin Hooper, Levine Toilolo, Joshua Perkins, D.J. Tialavea, Eric Saubert, Darion GriswoldLT: Jake Matthews, Kevin GrafLG: Andy LevitreC: Alex Mack, Trevor RobinsonRG: Wes Schweitzer, Ben Garland, Sean HarlowRT: Ryan Schraeder, Andreas KnappeK: Matt BryantDT: Grady Jarrett (NT), Dontari Poe, Ra′Shede Hageman, Courtney Upshaw, Joe Vellano, Taniela TupouDE: Brooks Reed (S), Adrian Clayborn, Jack Crawford, Takkarist McKinley, Derrick Shelby, Chris Odom, Martin IfediMLB: Deion Jones, LaRoy Reynolds, Josh KeyesOLB: Vic Beasley (S/DE), De′Vondre Campbell (S), Kemal Ishmael, Duke Riley, Jack Lynn, Jermaine Grace, J′Terius JonesCB: Desmond Trufant, Robert Alford, Jalen Collins (susp), C.J. Goodwin, Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Damontae Kazee, Akeem King, Deji Olatoye, Janor Jones, Quincy Mauger, Taylor ReynoldsS: Keanu Neal (SS), Ricardo Allen (FS), Brian Poole, Sharrod Neasman, Jordan Moore, Marcelis Branch, Deron WashingtonCoaches:Head Coach: Dan Quinn, Off Coord: Steve Sarkisian, QB Coach: Bush Hamdan, RB Coach: Keith Carter, WR Coach: Raheem Morris, TE Coach: Wade Harman, OL Coach: Chris Morgan, SpecTm Coach: Keith Armstrong, Def Coord: Marquand Manuel, DL Coach: Brian Young, LB Coach: Jeff Ulbrich, DB Coach: Doug Mallory

Baltimore Ravens

QB: On a team with many questions and many injuries, the biggest question is when Joe Flacco will return from his injury. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg gave some insight, though it was about as ambiguous as

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such a response could be. “Well, I think I know and at least Joe thinks he knows when this will happen. That way, I think I know, so we think we know. Look, if it’s before that or a little bit before – it’s probably not going to be much before – or a little bit after, we’ll adjust the plan. As long as he’s back with a reasonable amount of time to prepare, I think we’re going to be just fine there.” Head coach John Harbaugh was much more succinct and to the point, promising that Flacco would be back in Week One. Ryan Mallett still wasn’t spectacular in Saturday’s game, but he was much better than his first two appearances. Between Mallett performing adequately, and Flacco on track to play in Week One, it’s no surprise the team hasn’t revisited bringing in any competition.

RB: It’s been widely assumed that Terrance West would be the unquestioned starter, but during the week, Javorius Allen was called the team’s most effective back a Stock Up/Stock Down report by the Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec. West, however, started against the Bills ahead of Allen. West played the first two drives, then Allen was the lead back on the next two with West making a brief re-appearance on just one play after Allen had a 17-yard run called back by penalty. Neither tailback was very impressive on the night. Considering that West led this team in most categories last season while Allen regressed from his solid 2015 rookie debut, it’s probably still West’s job. Allen’s recent emergence could help West, as it shows the team that they have some depth and don’t need to sign an outside free agent. Last week, Danny Woodhead suffered a hamstring injury. His status isn’t well known right now, but he missed Saturday’s game and almost definitely won’t play in the final preseason game, either. His Week One status is questionable. At fullback, Patrick Ricard – a defensive tackle – has been impressive. Despite weighing over 300 pounds, he “looks like a natural” and could be just the sixth two-way player in the past ten years to make an NFL roster.

WR: Mike Wallace and Jeremy Maclin are the definite starters, with Breshad Perriman missing yet another week of practices and another game. Perriman was seen going through pregame warmups, but he didn’t dress versus the Bills. His talent and the lack of depth under him should guarantee his role as the #3 as soon as he’s healthy, but he’s missing valuable reps yet again. Second-year man Chris Moore is a roster lock, per a roster prediction from WNST’s Luke Jones. The fifth receiver job is up for grabs, with Michael Campanaro being the favorite since he’s the team’s best punt returner.

TE: After flashing in the second preseason game, Maxx Williams did not dress for Saturday’s game for unknown reasons. Williams and Ben Watson are the favorites for passing game production, but Watson is 37

years old and coming off an Achilles injury. Williams is a former second-round pick that’s yet to provide a return on the Ravens investment. Another candidate for playing time is Nick Boyle, though he’s a better blocker than receiver. Boyle started Saturday’s game but wasn’t targeted. Veteran Larry Donnell caught a touchdown and a two-point conversion last week but appears to be well behind, having played in the second half with third-string quarterback Josh Woodrum.

Defense: With all of the turmoil on offense, it’s a good thing Baltimore has fantastic talent on defense. The leader of the unit, Terrell Suggs isn’t slowing down, knocking down two passes in Saturday’s game. Suggs is mentoring second-round pick Tyus Bowser, who has been very productive as a pass rusher this preseason and continued his efforts on Saturday with four tackles and two for losses. Fellow rookie Marlon Humphrey missed Saturday’s game, his second absence of the preseason after returning in Week Two and looking like he was making progress. Humphrey was trending towards winning the slot corner job, but this setback could delay that process. Veteran Lardarius Webb moved to backup safety but will still play nickel corner to start the season. At the other end of the rookie spectrum, fellow cornerback Jaylen Hill has been a pleasant surprise with an excellent preseason so far, giving a great unit yet another key developmental asset.

K: Justin Tucker was checked for a concussion after making a tackle on a return. He was cleared, and this should not affect his ADP as one of the top 2-3 kickers off of the board in most drafts.

Returners: The battle between Michael Campanaro and Keenan Reynolds for the top returner job has been settled, with Campanaro emerging as the victor and Reynolds barely seeing the field in the third preseason game.

OL: Left tackle Ronnie Stanley has missed the last two weeks of practice with an undisclosed injury, and he was out of action again in the preseason win over the Buffalo Bills. James Hurst slid over to left tackle in Stanley’s place, which meant Matt Skura got the start in Hurst’s usual left guard spot. Skura has potential, but he’s not ready to start. Recently signed center Jeremy Zuttah worked with the second team, while Ryan Jensen manned the pivot with the starters. Zuttah could push Hurst to the bench in the coming weeks, although that’s not assured. The Ravens line cannot afford to lose Stanley for long; with him, it’s a middling unit.

Ravens Depth ChartQB: Joe Flacco (inj), Ryan Mallett, Josh Woodrum, Thad LewisRB: Terrance West, Danny Woodhead (3RB)

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(inj), Javorius Allen, Lorenzo Taliaferro, Taquan Mizzell, Bobby Rainey, Kenneth Dixon (inj) (susp)FB: Ricky OrtizWR: Jeremy Maclin, Mike Wallace, Breshad Perriman (inj), Chris Moore (KR), Michael Campanaro, Chris Matthews, Keenan Reynolds, Griff Whalen, Kenny Bell, Vince Mayle, Quincy Adeboyejo, Aaron Bailey, C.J. Board, Tim WhiteTE: Maxx Williams, Nick Boyle, Benjamin Watson, Larry Donnell, Ryan Malleck, Darren Waller (susp), Crockett Gillmore (IR)LT: Ronnie StanleyLG: James Hurst, Alex Lewis (IR), Nico Siragusa (IR)C: Ryan Jensen, Matt Skura RG: Marshal YandaRT: Austin Howard, Jermaine EluemunorK: Justin TuckerNT: Brandon Williams, Michael Pierce, Carl DavisDE: Brent Urban, Bronson Kaufusi, Chris Wormley, Willie HenryILB: C.J. Mosley, Kamalei Correa, Patrick Onwuasor, Cavellis Luckett, Boseko Lokombo, Albert McClellan (IR)OLB: Terrell Suggs, Za′Darius Smith, Matt Judon, Tyus Bowser, Tim Williams, Brennan BeyerCB: Jimmy Smith (inj), Brandon Carr, Marlon Humphrey, Chuck Clark, Sheldon Price, Brandon Boykins, Maurice Canady (inj), Tavon Young (IR)S: Eric Weddle (FS), Tony Jefferson (SS), Anthony Levine (FS), Lardarius Webb (FS/CB), Otha Foster (SS)Coaches:Head Coach: John Harbaugh, Off Coord: Marty Mornhinweg, RB Coach: Thomas Hammock, WR Coach: Bobby Engram, TE Coach: Greg Roman, OL Coach: Joe DAlessandris, SpecTm Coach: Jerry Rosburg, Def Coord: Dean Pees, DL Coach: Joe Cullen, LB Coach: Don Martindale, DB Coach: Mike Macdonald, DB Coach: Chris Hewitt

Buffalo Bills

QB: In their 3rd preseason game at Baltimore on Saturday night, the offense had another rough outing. Tyrod Taylor got the start but suffered a concussion after just eight plays as his head slammed against the ground on a third down sack. Whether he'll be cleared in time for the opener remains unclear, but the lack of critical practice time could be devastating for a passing attack that has been out of sync all summer. Rookie Nathan Peterman took over and was able to move the ball at times, but was often undermined by an ineffective running game and a rash of penalties. He played into the second half and finished 11-of-23 for 93 yards, while also leading the team on their only touchdown drive.

Coach Sean McDermott reiterated after the game that Tyrod Taylor would remain the team's starter when healthy. Veteran T.J. Yates took over late in the third quarter and threw a terrible interception on his first pass of the night, which was returned to the Bills' 15-yard line and led to the go-ahead touchdown. News also broke on Sunday that he was in the league's concussion protocol as well, leaving the team with just one healthy quarterback, so they added Keith Wenning who has familiarity with the offense from his time in Baltimore under coordinator Rick Dennison.

RB: LeSean McCoy saw a lot more action than expected and played almost the entire first half, but had very little to show for it. He was held to just 7 yards on six carries while losing a combined two yards on two receptions. The Ravens run defense dominated up front, and the Bills offensive line could not create any space for McCoy to get loose. With a passing attack that lacks a deep threat and figures to be among the league's worst, defenses should be able to load the box and keep McCoy in check. Backup Jonathan Williams only saw two offensive snaps in the game as the team eased him back following a minor injury suffered in practice last week. Mike Tolbert saw time as a 3rd down/short yardage back late in the first half and plunged in for the 1-yard touchdown that gave the Bills their only points of the game. Joe Banyard entered the game with the second string offense in the third quarter and picked up 12 yards on his first carry, but only gained 13 yards combined on his other six rush attempts. Look for McCoy to carry a heavy workload this year, while Williams and Tolbert will likely split the backup duties.

WR: Jordan Matthews traveled with the team and suited up, but did not enter the game. He continues to take part in individual drills at practice and appears likely to be cleared in time for the season opener. Zay Jones and Andre Holmes got the start against the Ravens, but neither was particularly effective despite seeing plenty of targets. Jones caught 3 of the team-high eight targets thrown his way for just 28 yards, while Holmes was even more disappointing with just one catch on five targets for 9 yards. Brandon Reilly stood out among the players fighting for a roster spot as he pulled in 4 of 5 targets from T.J. Yates for 55 yards. Corey Brown also saw extensive time with the second-string offense but caught just 2 of six passes. Rookie Daikel Shorts came into training camp with a reputation for having good hands, but he hasn’t shown much. Rod Streater remains week-to-week with a toe injury. Zay Jones is the only fantasy target as we don't know how Matthews will fit after missing so much time. Look for the Bills to be active in trying to upgrade the position as players hit the market following roster cuts.

TE: Charles Clay was the only real standout for the first-string offense against the Ravens. He caught 4 of 7

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targets and gained 11 or more yards on each reception. The team has limited his workload this summer to keep him fresh. He’s expected to play a significant role. Nick O'Leary and Logan Thomas each caught their only target, but otherwise had quiet outings.

Defense: It seemed as though Marcell Dareus had turned a corner, but he was sent home before the Ravens game for violating an unspecified team rule. No further action was expected, but this is a bad omen for the team's highest-paid player given his history of off-field issues. The run defense played great without him, however, as they held the Ravens to just 41 yards on 16 carries in the first half. Preston Brown stood out with seven combined tackles. At right cornerback, Kevon Seymour sat out with a shoulder injury suffered in practice so Shareece Wright got the start and E.J. Gaines drew praise for his performance from the coaches. Gerald Hodges continues to run with the second string defense at middle linebacker, which left Reggie Ragland with just three snaps. Ragland was subsequently traded to the Chiefs on Monday for a future 4th round pick. Pass rusher Eddie Yarbrough saw time with the starters and stood out once again with three quarterback hits.

Returners: Brandon Tate remains locked in the top returner on both punts and kickoffs.

OL: The offensive line had a rough night against the Baltimore Ravens. Left tackle Cordy Glenn missed the game and his status for the regular season opener remains unclear. In Glenn’s place, rookie Dion Dawkins started at left tackle. Dawkins gave up a sack to linebacker Matthew Judon on the second series, and that sack forced starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor to the sidelines. Guards Richie Incognito and Vlad Ducasse were flagged with false start penalties in the first half. The team rewarded center Eric Wood with a contract extension this week. The Bills’ line is an upper-tier unit presuming Glenn is okay.

Bills Depth ChartQB: Tyrod Taylor (inj), Nathan Peterman, T.J. Yates, Keith WenningRB: LeSean McCoy, Jonathan Williams, Mike Tolbert (SD/FB), Joe Banyard, Taiwan Jones, Jordan JohnsonFB: Patrick DiMarcoWR: Zay Jones, Jordan Matthews (inj), Andre Holmes, Corey Brown, Rod Streater (inj), Brandon Tate (KR), Walter Powell (susp), Dezmin Lewis, Jeremy Butler, Daikiel Shorts, Brandon ReillyTE: Charles Clay, Nick O′Leary, Logan ThomasLT: Cordy Glenn, Seantrel Henderson, Michael OlaLG: Richie Incognito, Ryan GroyC: Eric Wood, Patrick LewisRG: John Miller, Vlad Ducasse

RT: Jordan Mills, Dion DawkinsK: Stephen HauschkaDT: Marcell Dareus (NT), Kyle Williams, Adolphus Washington, Jerel Worthy, Deandre ColemanDE: Jerry Hughes, Shaq Lawson, Eddie Yarbrough, Ryan DavisMLB: Preston Brown (W), Tanner VallejoOLB: Lorenzo Alexander (S), Ramon Humber (W), Gerald Hodges, Matt Milano, Max Valles, Carl Bradford, Sam Barrington, Junior Sylvestre, Jacob LindseyCB: Kevon Seymour, Tre′Davious White, E.J. Gaines, Leonard Johnson, Shareece Wright, Charles Gaines, Marcus RobersonS: Micah Hyde (SS)(PR), Jordan Poyer (FS), Colt Anderson (SS), Shamiel Gary (SS), Johnathan Dowling, Trae Elston, Joe Powell, Bradley SylveCoaches:Head Coach: Sean McDermott, Off Coord: Rick Dennison, QB Coach: David Culley, RB Coach: Kelly Skipper, WR Coach: Phil McGeoghan, TE Coach: Rob Boras, OL Coach: Juan Castillo, SpecTm Coach: Danny Crossman, Def Coord: Leslie Frazier, DL Coach: Mike Waufle, LB Coach: Bobby Babich, DB Coach: Gil Byrd

Carolina Panthers

QB: For the first time since early in training camp, Cam Newton participated in every drill during practice this week. He remarked to Coach Ron Rivera early in the week that he felt his timing was off. Later in the week, when asked about Newton’s struggles with timing, Rivera replied, “He’s starting to get it back. We’re trying to practice fast and create that - as close as we can - that game simulation. … I think it showed. You can see the timing coming back.” Newton made his preseason debut against Jacksonville but stayed in for only one possession. Of the ten plays the offense ran, only two were passes - one a 12-yard pass to Christian McCaffrey and the other a nine-yard touchdown pass to Kelvin Benjamin. After the game, Newton said he was happy to be able to play and satisfied with what the offense accomplished. “I was excited when they told me I was able to play,” Newton said. “They didn’t tell me how much and I just wish I would have played a little longer. I feel behind in a lot of ways, but, you know, the optimism of this game is that we did have a great first drive. But we’ve got to keep pushing forward in practice and be ready when our number’s called.” Derek Anderson took over on the next series and was flat. He struggled with inaccuracy and poor decision-making; in turn, the offense was sluggish. Anderson completed 10-of-19 passes for 66 yards, threw an interception, and ended the night with a 38.5 passer rating. His

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inconsistency during both practice and the preseason has fueled questions of whether he may lose his backup spot. Joe Webb sat out with a strained neck, so Garrett Gilbert took over in the second half. The offense gained momentum after the quarterback change. The Panthers scored twice, and Gilbert finished 8-of-12 for 96 yards.

RB: Christian McCaffrey continues to wow each time he takes to the field. On one run, he changed direction so abruptly that he left Jacksonville safety Barry Church standing still in surprise. McCaffrey’s final numbers weren’t stunning, but the tape shows elite potential. The rookie rushed seven times for 21 yards and caught one 12-yard pass versus the Jaguars. Jonathan Stewart had a big night, reminding us of his importance to the Panthers’ running game. He caught one pass and carried the ball five times for a total of 39 yards, including a 31-yard gain. Cameron Artis-Payne made the most of limited snaps; he scored two touchdowns on nine touches. When asked if Artis-Payne will make the team, Ron Rivera said, “He’s a very productive back and he’s done it ever since he’s been here. He’s just in a tough position because Jonathan [Stewart] has had three really good years for us as of late. … We’ve got a lot of pieces this year, and I do believe he fits in our puzzle. We’ll see how it goes.” Fozzy Whittaker carried the ball just once for 13 yards.

WR: Cam Newton had high praise for Kelvin Benjamin after the win over the Jaguars, saying Benjamin has shown growth and leadership. He lauded Benjamin’s effort in both receiving and blocking: “He is a complete receiver. … You see Benji on his route, and he tries to stick his nose in there and throw a block. It sets the tone for our team.” Benjamin caught a touchdown pass from Newton and ended the night with 36 yards on four receptions. Devin Funchess helped jumpstart a slow offense in the second half. He made a great leaping grab on a high pass from Gilbert and then ran for a 14-yard gain. Two plays later he caught a poorly-placed pass behind him and turned what would have been a loss into a short gain. Curtis Samuel was fully active in practice for the first time since training camp opened. He was an oft-targeted receiver during his NFL debut. Samuel played well into the third quarter and showed well considering how little he’s played this summer dealing with a hamstring injury. In fact, Samuel told reporters he feels the injury was something of a blessing in disguise. “Me being out for a little bit, I was able to really study the playbook and really try to learn the ins and outs so I could give myself a chance to be able to give myself the best chance to play as soon as possible,” Samuel said. The waters are still murky when it comes to the back end of the roster. Damiere Byrd played with the first team, but he was targeted only twice. Mose Frazier had two big catches including a 35-yarder, but he has been so inconsistent in practice that it will likely not be enough to make the roster. When asked who is likely to clinch the

slot receiver spot, Rivera replied, “I think [Russell Shepard] has done a nice job. I think Damiere Byrd is most certainly a guy we’ve got to take a look at. For a spot like that, [Brenton] Bersin was one of the other guys that we really like as that little slot guy.”

TE: Greg Olsen saw limited action against Jacksonville; he caught only two passes for 14 yards. Olsen remains one of the go-to targets. Ed Dickson only caught one of three targets. Chris Manhertz didn’t figure into the box score. Both Dickson and Manhertz earn their paychecks as blockers.

Defense: The first-team defense looked more in synch in the matchup against the Jaguars than they did against the Titans. Other than a 51-yard gain on a faked punt, the defense held their opponent to only 86 yards in the first half. Julius Peppers flushed Chad Henne out of the pocket numerous times. Thomas Davis, Mario Addison, and Bryan Cox each got to the harried Jacksonville quarterback. Backup safety Damian Parms had a strong performance, logging seven tackles. David Mayo continues to impress (five tackles and two assists) filling in for Luke Kuechly. Second-year corner Zack Sanchez has been struggling in practice, but he managed two pass deflections and one interception in game time. His ascension will spell trouble for Cole Luke, who has been so impressive in training camp and practice. Luke struggled against the Jaguars, giving up a touchdown and laboring to maintain coverage.

K: Graham Gano made his field goal attempt and his extra point attempt. Even though Ron Rivera made it sound like the kicking competition is still open, it appears that Gano has beaten out Harrison Butker for the job.

Returners: It was a big week for Carolina's top two rookies, as Christian McCaffrey saw his first special teams work of the preseason and Curtis Samuel returned from an extended absence dealing with a hamstring injury. McCaffrey will be the top option on punt returns, and Samuel could vie for a role on kickoff returns.

OL: The first team offensive line had a productive night in the preseason win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Center Ryan Kalil made his preseason debut (shoulder surgery), and the line found success in the rushing attack. Left guard Andrew Norwell has been particularly good on counter pulls, and the offense was able to keep the ball on the ground for almost the entire first drive. That was good news for quarterback Cam Newton, who was also making his preseason debut. We forecast the line as a mid-tier group, but there is potential for improvement based on what they’ve shown in the preseason.

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Panthers Depth ChartQB: Cam Newton, Derek Anderson, Garrett Gilbert, Joe Webb (KR)RB: Jonathan Stewart, Christian McCaffrey, Fozzy Whittaker, Cameron Artis-Payne, Jalen SimmonsFB: Darrel Young, Alex ArmahWR: Kelvin Benjamin, Devin Funchess, Russell Shepard, Curtis Samuel (inj), Brenton Bersin, Damiere Byrd, Fred Ross, Keyarris Garrett, LaRon Byrd, T.J. Graham, Kaelin Clay, Austin Duke, Mose Frazier, Charles Johnson (IR)TE: Greg Olsen, Ed Dickson, Scott Simonson, Chris ManhertzLT: Matt Kalil, Amini SilatoluLG: Andrew Norwell, Taylor Moton, David YankeyC: Ryan Kalil, Tyler Larsen, Gino GradkowskiRG: Trai Turner, Chris ScottRT: Daryl Williams K: Graham Gano, Harrison ButkerDT: Star Lotulelei (NT), Kawann Short, Vernon Butler, Kyle Love, Chas AlecxihDE: Charles Johnson, Mario Addison, Julius Peppers, Daeshon Hall, Wes Horton, Bryan Cox Jr., Larry WebsterMLB: Luke Kuechly, David Mayo (S), Jared Norris, Ben BoulwareOLB: Thomas Davis (S), Shaq Thompson (W), Jeremy Cash (S), Brian BlechenCB: James Bradberry (inj), Daryl Worley, Captain Munnerlyn, Corn Elder (inj), Zach Sanchez, Teddy Williams, Damian ParmsS: Kurt Coleman (FS), Mike Adams (SS), Colin Jones, Dean Marlowe, Travell DixonCoaches:Head Coach: Ron Rivera, Off Coord: Mike Shula, QB Coach: Ken Dorsey, RB Coach: Jim Skipper, WR Coach: Lance Taylor, TE Coach: Pete Hoener, OL Coach: Ray Brown, SpecTm Coach: Thomas McGaughey, Def Coord: Steven Wilks, DL Coach: Eric Washington, LB Coach: Al Holcomb, DB Coach: Curtis Fuller

Chicago Bears

QB: Rookie Mitchell Trubisky was given practice time with the starters last week, but Mike Glennon rose to the challenge against the Titans on Sunday afternoon. While Glennon wasn't spectacular, he showed the type of game management skills necessary to quiet the budding quarterback controversy. The Bears opened the game with a 15-play, 96-yard touchdown drive in which Glennon completed 7-of-9 passes and converted three third-and-longs. Overall, he made quick decisions while

taking care of the football and gave his receivers a chance to make plays. Trubisky opened the second half with the first string offense and had several errant throws before eventually settling down. He has a ton of upside but also needs time to learn and develop. Mark Sanchez did not play while 4th-stringer Connor Shaw got mop-up duty.

RB: Starter Jordan Howard led the team in carries and yards against the Titans after sitting out most of the preseason. While he didn't find much room to run early on, he seemed to find a rhythm in the second quarter and should be ready for a heavy workload once the season begins. Tarik Cohen spelled Howard on the first drive but only carried the ball once. Benny Cunningham also saw limited work with just two carries, although his roster spot is secure. Meanwhile, Jeremy Langford returned to action and played most of the second half as he tried to get back in the roster mix. Ka'Deem Carey underwent wrist surgery last week and is expected to miss six weeks; he’ll likely be released with an injury settlement.

WR: The Bears suffered a devastating loss on Sunday when #1 receiver Cameron Meredith was carted off with a knee injury that was later confirmed to be a torn ACL. That creates a lot of uncertainty and opportunity for the other receivers. Kevin White continues to get plenty of work, but his hands are inconsistent, and injuries have robbed him of his explosiveness. Kendall Wright continues to make plays working primarily out of the slot and looks to have chemistry with Glennon. They connected on all three third-and-long completions on the opening drive. Tanner Gentry came up with the play of the game on a 45-yard touchdown, although it was his only catch. Titus Davis had not done much heading into the Titans game, but he ended up leading the team in receiving. Victor Cruz started off camp hot but seems to have tumbled down the depth chart as he was held to just one catch for 8 yards. Markus Wheaton is the forgotten man after missing most of the preseason, but his deep speed is an asset especially since the Bears need to replace Meredith.

TE: Both Zach Miller and Dion Sims continue with the first string offense in 2-TE formations. Sims was more active in the Titans game as he caught a short touchdown on the opening drive and was targeted four times compared to just two for Miller. Rookie Adam Shaheen also had a quiet afternoon with just one short catch on his only target. It's unlikely any of these players will be consistent enough from week to week, but the injury to Meredith should create some additional opportunities for Miller.

Defense: The first string defense continues to set the tone and gives the team a chance to be competitive this year, as they have only allowed one touchdown through

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three preseason games. The starters held a potent Titans offense scoreless in the first half while only allowing 2.5 yards per carry. Cornerback Prince Amukamara left the game with an ankle injury and donned a walking boot. Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd also left the game with a foot injury, but it is not considered serious. Dan Skuta got a start at the other outside linebacker position but was forced to leave the game with a concussion. Nick Kwiatkowski led the team in tackles while filling in for Danny Trevathan, who made the trip and is still aiming for a Week One return. Even without a full contribution from Floyd, the pass rush looked potent as Akiem Hicks, Lamarr Houston, and Willie Young all recorded sacks.

K: Connor Barth was good on his only field goal attempt from 41 yards, and both he and Roberto Aguayo made extra point attempts. Aguayo was a late addition and hasn’t done enough to threaten Barth’s job, but the overall quality of this offense is in question, and Barth isn’t worth targeting in typical drafts.

Returners: In an example of the ripple effects that injuries can have, Bears receiver Cam Meredith tearing his ACL on Saturday likely improved the odds that Deonte Thompson will be the primary kickoff returner this year. Thompson is the best option but was battling for a roster spot. With the receiver depth chart thinned unexpectedly, his odds of making the team are on the rise.

OL: Guard Kyle Long did not make the trip to play against the Tennessee Titans. Long is still nursing an ankle injury and the coaches don’t want to put him in the lineup until he’s 100% healthy. It looks doubtful Long will be ready for Week One. In the meantime, center Cody Whitehair got the start at guard in Long’s place while Hroniss Grasu started at the pivot. Whitehair is coming off a good rookie season, and he has been excellent this preseason. The coaches rewarded Whitehair with the Captain’s patch for the Titans’ game. Having Grasu play significant snaps at center is suboptimal. Without Long in the lineup, the Bears’ offensive line falls from middle of the pack to the bottom quartile.

Bears Depth ChartQB: Mike Glennon, Mitchell Trubisky, Mark Sanchez, Connor ShawRB: Jordan Howard, Tarik Cohen (PR), Benny Cunningham, Jeremy Langford, Ka′Deem Carey (KR)FB: Michael Burton, Freddie StevensonWR: Kevin White, Kendall Wright, Markus Wheaton (inj), Victor Cruz, Joshua Bellamy, Daniel Braverman, Rueben Randle, Deonte Thompson (KR), Tanner Gentry, Titus Davis, Cameron Meredith (IR)TE: Zach Miller, Dion Sims, Adam Shaheen , Daniel

Brown, Ben Braunecker, MyCole PruittLT: Charles Leno, Bradley SowellLG: Kyle Long, Cyril RichardsonC: Cody Whitehair, Hroniss Grasu, Jordan MorganRG: Josh Sitton, Tom Compton, Eric Kush (IR)RT: Bobby MassieK: Connor Barth, Roberto AguayoNT: Eddie Goldman, C.J. WilsonDE: Akiem Hicks, Mitch Unrein, Jonathan Bullard, Jaye Howard, Kapron Lewis-Moore, John JenkinsILB: Danny Trevathan, Jerrell Freeman, Nick Kwiatkoski, Christian Jones, John Timu, Jonathan Anderson, Richie Brown, Danny MasonOLB: Leonard Floyd, Lamarr Houston, Pernell McPhee (inj), Willie Young, Dan Skuta, Sam Acho, Roy Robertson-HarrisCB: Prince Amukamara (inj), Marcus Cooper, Kyle Fuller, B.W. Webb, Bryce Callahan, Deiondre′ Hall, B.W. Webb, Sherrick McManis, Johnthan Banks, Cre’von LeBlanc, Rashaad ReynoldsS: Quintin Demps (SS), Eddie Jackson (FS/PR), Adrian Amos (FS), Harold Jones-Quartey (SS), Deandre Houston-Carson (FS), Chris Prosinki, Deon Bush (SS)Coaches:Head Coach: John Fox, Off Coord: Dowell Loggains, QB Coach: Dave Ragone, RB Coach: Curtis Modkins, WR Coach: Zach Azzanni, TE Coach: Frank Smith, OL Coach: Jeremiah Washburn, SpecTm Coach: Jeff Rodgers, Def Coord: Vic Fangio, DL Coach: Jay Rodgers, LB Coach: Glenn Pires, DB Coach: Ed Donatell

Cincinnati Bengals

QB: Andy Dalton was sharp in his final preseason tune up. On the opening drive, he drove the team 87 yards in 15 plays using a variety of weapons. "What we talked about this whole time was being able to score once we got down there," said Dalton, who finished 8-of-13 for 70 yards in one-half of play. "One thing we talked about during the week, we got all these guys, we need to spread the ball around and get different guys the ball. We did that on that drive. Different guys made plays. That’s what you got to have." Dalton was unable to connect with rookie speedster John Ross on a deep ball. The two have spent extra time working together after practice. The speed with which the duo can establish a rapport will be a key to the Bengals emerging as a potent passing offense. While Dalton faced moderate pressure at times, the offensive line has looked sufficiently competent for Dalton to have a bounce back season given his deep group of receivers.

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RB: Jeremy Hill and Joe Mixon split time with the first-team throughout the first quarter. Hill scored a short touchdown before leaving with a minor ankle injury. After the game, Hill said he’s fine. Mixon had a costly fumble to start the second drive when he didn’t secure the handoff. It was the first major rookie mistake we’ve seen from Mixon. However, he also made a couple of the “wow” plays that have been common throughout the summer. Mixon embarrassed Josh Norman in the open field with a nasty juke move that left Norman grasping for air. Unlike Hill, Mixon has shown an ability to make the first man miss and create something from nothing. While Mixon may start the season mired in a committee, he should emerge with a significant role sooner than later. Giovani Bernard made his preseason debut in the second quarter and showed no ill effects of the ACL injury that ended his 2016 season. He rushed for 25 yards on nine carries. Bernard will be involved as a change-of-pace back and third-down specialist.

WR: There was offseason speculation that the team’s improved depth could lead to fewer targets for A.J. Green. However, Andy Dalton has peppered his star receiver with 12 targets in three quarters of work over the past two weeks. If he can stay healthy, Green is poised to have a tremendous season and looks deserving of his mid-first round ADP. John Ross was quiet in his preseason debut. He was held without a catch, as Dalton overthrew him on a deep ball. Ross did rush for 8 yards on an end-around. Returning starters Brandon LaFell and Tyler Boyd both made key catches on third downs.

TE: Tyler Eifert was held out of the third preseason game as a precaution. He has been dealing with a “little tendonitis in his knee.” If it were a regular season game, Eifert would have played. He dressed for the game and went through pregame warmups without any noticeable limitations. He was also a full participant in practice this week. While this doesn’t appear to be anything worth worrying about, it is another reminder for fantasy drafters that Eifert comes with an elevated risk of injury and has missed time each of the past three seasons. Rookie seventh-rounder Mason Schreck suffered an MCL injury and will miss significant time.

Defense: Vontaze Burfict has been suspended five games for an off-the-ball hit on Kansas City fullback Anthony Sherman in the second preseason game. He had a hearing and appeal on Tuesday. The organization put out a statement: “The Bengals are aware of the NFL’s letter to Vontaze regarding a play in last weekend’s game. The film shows that the hit was legal, that Vontaze engaged his opponent from the front, and that contact was shoulder-to-chest. The Club will support Vontaze in the appeal process.” The loss of the team’s best defender and defensive play-caller will be difficult to overcome. Burfict made plays all over the field

against Washington, including an interception returned 62 yards for a touchdown. In Burfict’s absence, veteran backup Vincent Rey is expected to take on a prominent role. The team got some good injury news about both starting safeties. George Iloka is back in action after a three-week absence, and Shawn Williams is also expected to return in time for Week One; contradicting earlier reports that Williams would miss early season games. Carl Lawson is emerging as an impact pass rusher. He beat Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams around the edge multiple times in the first half; notching a sack and drawing a holding call.

K: Rookie Jake Elliott missed a 45-yard field goal, while Randy Bullock made a 53-yard kick in what could be a decisive game in a close kicker battle. Bullock might have edged ahead, although he hasn’t been able to hold a job for long in the past. Elliott was a fifth-round pick, so the team could be inclined to lean his direction if the competition if close. Until we know who wins the job, both are easily avoided in fantasy drafts.

Returners: Alex Erickson played well as Cincinnati's top return specialist in 2016, and he's made big plays on both offense and special teams so far this preseason, but he unexpectedly finds himself on the roster bubble as the team debates whether it will keep seven receivers. Should the team let Erickson go, Adam Jones and rookies John Ross and Joe Mixon give them plenty of alternatives in the return game. Erickson wouldn't last long on the open market, meanwhile, as a returner-needy team would be glad to scoop him up.

OL: The line had a bounce-back effort in the preseason loss to Washington. Left tackle Cedric Ogbuehi was impressive in the run game, throwing a key counter block on the team’s first offensive touchdown of the preseason. Ogbuehi and new right tackle Jake Fisher stiffened their pass protection, and the tackles provided a mostly clean pocket for Andy Dalton. Fisher was called for a hands-to-the-face penalty, and it’s fair to say that he is progressing slightly slower than Ogbuehi. The Bengals’ unit still grades out as a lower-tier option.

Bengals Depth ChartQB: Andy Dalton, A.J. McCarron, Jeff DriskelRB: Jeremy Hill, Joe Mixon, Giovani Bernard, Tra Carson, Brandon Wilson, Cedric Peerman (IR)FB: Ryan Hewitt (HB)WR: A.J. Green, Brandon LaFell, Tyler Boyd, John Ross, Cody Core, Josh Malone, Alex Erickson (KR/PR), Jake Kumerow, Alonzo Russell, Levonte Whitfield, Chris BrownTE: Tyler Eifert, C.J. Uzomah, Tyler Kroft, Mason Schreck, Cethan CarterLT: Jake Fisher LG: Clint Boling, Trey Hopkins

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C: Russell Bodine, T.J. Johnson, JJ DielmanRG: Andre Smith, Christian WestermanRT: Cedric Ogbuehi, Eric WinstonK: Randy Bullock, Jonathan Brown, Jake ElliottDT: Geno Atkins, Andrew Billings, Pat Sims, Ryan Glasgow, DeShawn Williams, Marcus Hardison, David DeanDE: Carlos Dunlap, Michael Johnson, Wallace Gilberry, Jordan Willis, Will Clarke, Ryan Brown, Jason CarrMLB: Kevin Minter, Vincent Rey, Jordan Evans, Hardy NickersonOLB: Vontaze Burfict (W) (inj)(susp), Nick Vigil (S), Carl Lawson (S), P.J. Dawson (S), Bryson Albright (S)CB: Dre Kirkpatrick, Adam Jones (KR/PR), Darqueze Dennard, William Jackson III, Josh Shaw, Keivarae Russell, Tony McRaeS: George Iloka (inj), Shawn Williams (SS) (inj), Derron Smith (FS), Clayton Fejedelem (SS), Demetrius CoxCoaches:Head Coach: Marvin Lewis, Off Coord: Ken Zampese, QB Coach: Bill Lazor, RB Coach: Kyle Caskey, WR Coach: James Urban, TE Coach: Jonathan Hayes, OL Coach: Paul Alexander, SpecTm Coach: Darrin Simmons, Def Coord: Paul Guenther, DL Coach: Jacob Burney, LB Coach: Jim Haslett, DB Coach: Robert Livingston, DB Coach: Kevin Coyle

Cleveland Browns

QB: The quarterback controversy is settled after DeShone Kizer’s performance in the preseason dress-rehearsal, subsequently followed by Hue Jackson naming him the regular season starter. While Kizer’s numbers were not eye-popping (6-of-18 for 93 yards and one interception), he did make some impressive throws into tight windows that showcased his arm talent. When asked about Kizer’s performance after the game, Jackson stated, "I feel comfortable with him. He has the right feel for me and for what I'm looking for.'' Brock Osweiler did not play against the Buccaneers and his future with the team is in question. A trade is unlikely with his $16 million salary. Cody Kessler and Kevin Hogan rounded out the night. Kessler played it safe and did not turn the ball over. Hogan drove the team to the winning touchdown. There is speculation that Hogan’s recent promotion to #2 may be more than a motivational ploy to get Kessler on track.

RB: Isaiah Crowell returned to practice after being held out as a precaution with a groin strain. He started against the Buccaneers and ran 11 times for 40 yards. Duke Johnson continues in his change-of-pace role. He

had one particularly impressive run on his three carries that went for 37 yards. Unfortunately, he also had a costly fumble that stifled a promising drive in the opponent’s red zone. Matt Dayes has locked down the #3 role. Running back coach Kirby Wilson thinks Dayes plays with an attitude: "I just think he's an angry guy. I mean, that's his mentality, that's his makeup. When I first met him in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, he was angry. It's hard to make that guy smile. But I think that plays right into his ability. He's always probably had a chip on his shoulder because of his size. I think guys like that tend to take it everywhere they go." Terrence Magee was given an opportunity in the game but only gained 14 yards on five carries; he’s a roster longshot at this point.

WR: Corey Coleman caught four passes for 66 yards and seems to be the receiver-of-choice for his young quarterback, DeShone Kizer. Their obvious rapport was built in practice and has carried over to the preseason. Kizer rocketed a pass to Coleman between two defenders that resulted in a pickup of 32 yards. By contrast, Kenny Britt greatly disappointed. He caught only one pass for 13 yards. He also dropped a pass at the five-yard line that would have put the Browns in scoring position. Ricardo Lewis is locked in as the #3, but the rest of the depth chart is unsettled. Rishard Higgins was held without a catch but was the target on Kizer’s interception. Jordan Payton also did not catch a pass in game.

TE: Seth DeValve appears to be the starter headed into the season. However, if action versus the Buccaneers is any indication, rookie David Njoku will also be worked in extensively. DeValve caught four balls for 57 yards. There was concern that David Njoku would not play on Saturday after tweaking his ankle in the previous preseason game, but the tweak was minor. Randall Telfer was not targeted but is secure as the #3 tight end; he’s a capable blocker.

Defense: Immediately after last week’s game, the Browns cut Desmond Bryant, continuing the youth movement on defense. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is known for an aggressive style, but he pushed his limits against the Buccaneers. He called plenty of blitzes in the game, seeking to bring pressure and generate turnovers. Jabrill Peppers had a standout performance, picking off Jameis Winston in the red zone. When asked afterward about how good the defense could be, Peppers replied, “The defense takes the personality of their coordinator. We’ve got Gregg Williams, so just look out!” Myles Garrett continues to play well, beating blocks consistently. He ended the night with three quarterback pressures and one hit on Winston. Tank Carder’s injury in the previous game proved to be season-ending, giving way to Joe Schobert.

K: Cody Parkey made up some ground in the

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competition with successful 38-yard and 47-yard kicks, while rookie Zane Gonzalez missed from 55 yards. Gonzalez has a stronger leg and had a comfortable lead heading into this week’s preseason game; the gap may have narrowed after their respective performances.

Returners: With a steady stream of 30-yard returns through training camps and preseason, rookie Jabrill Peppers is locked in as the top returner. He looks to be a potent weapon on special teams.

OL: All Pro left tackle Joe Thomas saw his first action of this preseason, getting the start in the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Thomas allowed a pressure and was called for a false start, but was otherwise in mid-season form, locking down his side of the field. Left guard Joel Bitonio missed the game and was replaced by veteran John Greco. Bitonio’s availability for the season opener could be in doubt. Right tackle Shon Coleman has been an inspiration, winning the starting job in his second year after beating cancer in college. Overall, the Browns’ offensive line grades out as a top-tier unit, especially with Thomas back in the lineup.

Browns Depth ChartQB: DeShone Kizer, Brock Osweiler, Cody Kessler, Kevin HoganRB: Isaiah Crowell (SD), Duke Johnson (3RB/KR), Matt Dayes, Brandon Wilds, Darius Jackson (IR)FB: Dan VitaleWR: Corey Coleman, Kenny Britt, Ricardo Louis, Rashard Higgins, Rannell Hall, Jordan Payton, Mario Alford, James Wright, Jordan Leslie, Josh Boyce, Rasheed Bailey, Josh Gordon (susp)TE: Seth Devalve, David Njoku, Randall Telfer, J.P. HoltzLT: Joe Thomas, Rod JohnsonLG: Joel Bitonio, Marcus MartinC: J.C. TretterRG: Kevin Zeitler, John GrecoRT: Shon Coleman, Cameron Erving, Spencer DrangoK: Cody Parkey, Zane GonzalezDT: Danny Shelton (inj), Jamie Meder, Trevon Coley, Larry Ogunjobi, Caleb Brantley, Xavier Cooper, Nile Lawrence-Stample, Brandon ThompsonDE: Emmanuel Ogbah, Myles Garrett, Carl Nassib, Nate Orchard, Tyrone HolmesMLB: Joe Schobert (W/M), Kenneth Olugbode, Tank Carder (IR)OLB: Jamie Collins (S), Christian Kirksey (W), Dominique Alexander, James BurgessCB: Jamar Taylor, Jason McCourty, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Trey Caldwell, Marcus Burley, Channing Stribling, Darius Hilary, Howard Wilson (IR)S: Jabrill Peppers (SS/PR/KR), Calvin Pryor (FS), Ibraheim Campbell (SS) (inj), Derrick Kindred

(FS), Justin Currie (SS)Coaches:Head Coach: Hue Jackson, RB Coach: Kirby Wilson, WR Coach: Al Saunders, TE Coach: Greg Seamon, OL Coach: Bob Wylie, SpecTm Coach: Chris Tabor, Def Coord: Gregg Williams, DL Coach: Clyde Simmons, LB Coach: Blake Williams, DB Coach: DeWayne Walker

Dallas Cowboys

NOTE: The Cowboys fifth and final preseason game against the Texans has been canceled due to logistical complications from Hurricane Harvey.

QB: Dak Prescott has been sharp throughout the preseason, so it’s no surprise he stepped into the “dress rehearsal” against the Raiders and played well. The 2nd year signal caller completed 11-of-14 passes for 113 yards (8.1 per attempt) and a touchdown before calling it a preseason. Prescott was even better than his stats indicate because two long completions were called back on uncharacteristic penalties by offensive linemen. Kellen Moore was unimpressive, again, and all bets are off as to whether he remains in place as the #2. The team could opt to go with Cooper Rush instead or sign a veteran after teams make their roster cuts. Speaking of Rush, he was electric in mop up duties completing 12-of-13 passes for 115 yards (8.8 per attempt) and two touchdowns versus Oakland. Rush completed 38-of-51 passes for 398 yards and six touchdowns in the preseason.

RB: Ezekiel Elliott played against Oakland, rushing for 18 yards on six carries. The coaches wanted to get Elliott time with the first team offense even though he’s facing a two-month absence unless his six-game suspension gets reduced on appeal. The appeal is being heard this week and will extend from Tuesday into Thursday, but there’s no timetable for a final decision. Several media outlets have speculated Elliott will attempt to play Week One by asking for an injunction and taking his case to Federal courts. It’s impossible to know how this will unfold, but our baseline expectation is Elliott would consider serving a shorter suspension but will fight the full six-game ruling if the appeal is unsuccessful.

Dak Prescott was happy to have Elliott on the field, even for a few snaps. “I told him it felt good for him just being in that huddle, us getting going and we had a good drive right there,” Prescott said. “He’s a guy that we know what he can do in this league, doesn’t have to have much time. Just good to get him out there, get him behind that offensive line and get him some carries.”

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Darren McFadden remains the odds on starter in Elliott’s absence, but Alfred Morris is making a late preseason push for carries. McFadden ran twice for 21 yards (10.5 per attempt) against the Raiders while Morris led the team with nine carries for 56 yards (6.2 per attempt). It’s worth pointing out Morris whiffed on a blitz pickup that resulted in a sack fumble returned for a defensive touchdown. Rod Smith appears to have locked up the #3 job (while Elliott is suspended) with a strong preseason, but Ronnie Hillman also made a case with a 4-catch day as an outlet receiver.

WR: Dez Bryant was quiet against Oakland, failing to catch his lone target. He had a stellar preseason otherwise and is locked in as the team’s premier playmaker, particularly while Elliott is suspended. Terrance Williams didn’t show up in the official box score but had a 21-yard reception that was called back on an offensive line penalty. Cole Beasley caught his lone target but is ready to roll as the primary slot receiver. Brice Butler has done enough to lock up the fourth spot.

TE: Jason Witten made his preseason debut and dominated. The veteran caught six receptions for 74 yards (12.3 per reception) and a touchdown before taking a seat with the rest of the first team offense. Rico Gathers continues to miss time, which is diminishing some of the impressive work he put in earlier this summer.

Defense: The defense played poorly against the Raiders starting offense, highlighting the lack of depth in the secondary, in particular. Amari Cooper blew past cornerback Byron Jones for a 48-yard touchdown, and middling receiver Cordarrelle Patterson caught a long touchdown on a broken assignment from the safeties. Starting middle linebacker Anthony Hitchens fractured his knee but avoided an ACL tear. He’ll miss up to eight weeks. His injury opens the door for Jaylon Smith to take over the middle, but he too has knee concerns. If Smith isn’t up to the task, Dallas also has veteran Justin Durant available. “Between Jaylon and Justin, we feel very comfortable that they can get that job done,” said executive vice president Stephen Jones. “We don’t in any way want to get away from the game plan that has worked so well for Jaylon, in terms of his pitch counts and what he’s going to do and don’t want to jeopardize anything that we’ve done with him. But we do think he can certainly share those duties with Justin, and expect both of them to share that Mike position.” Rookie Taco Charlton notched another sack; Dallas needs the young pass rusher to produce this year.

Returners: Rookie Ryan Switzer has missed time off and on through the preseason, but the team expects he’ll be full-go by the season opener. The team's faith in Switzer was a big reason for releasing Lucky Whitehead.

OL: The first team offensive line had an acceptable (but not elite) performance against the Oakland Raiders. While most of the line was excellent, the left guard spot remains uncertain. Chaz Green got the start and allowed a sack of quarterback Dak Prescott. Green left the game in the second half with an ankle injury. Jonathan Cooper started last week’s preseason game, and he could win the job by default, depending on the severity of Green’s injury. The team probably considers Green more of a swing tackle than a starting guard. Even taking into account the uncertainty at left guard, the Cowboys’ line remains one of the league’s best.

Cowboys Depth ChartQB: Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, Kellen Moore, Luke McCown, Zac Dysert (IR)RB: Ezekiel Elliott (susp), Darren McFadden, Alfred Morris, Rod Smith (FB), Ronnie HillmanFB: Keith SmithWR: Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley, Ryan Switzer (KR/PR), Brice Butler, Noah Brown, Karel Hamilton, Lance Lenoir, Brian Brown, Andy Jones, Quincy McDuffie, Uzoma Nwachukwu, Shaq Evans (susp)TE: Jason Witten, Rico Gathers (inj), Geoff Swaim, James Hanna, Blake Jarwin, M.J. McFarland, Connor Hamlett (IR)LT: Tyron SmithLG: Chaz Green, Jonathan CooperC: Travis Frederick, Joe LooneyRG: Zack Martin, Kadeem EdwardsRT: Lael CollinsK: Dan BaileyDT: Tyrone Crawford, Cedric Thornton, Maliek Collins, Stephen Paea, Joey Ivie, Jordan Carrell, Richard Ash, Woody BaronDE: DeMarcus Lawrence, Taco Charlton, Benson Mayowa, David Irving (susp), Charles Tapper, Lewis Neal, Damontre Moore (susp), Randy Gregory (susp), Zach Wood, Lenny Jones, Darnell LeslieMLB: Jaylon Smith, Anthony Hitchens (W/S) (inj), Mark NzeochaOLB: Sean Lee (W/M), Damien Wilson (S), Kyle Wilber (S), Lamar Louis, Justin Durant, Joseph Jones, Kennan GilchrestCB: Orlando Scandrick, Nolan Carroll, Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis, Marquez White, Anthony Brown, Dejuan Butler, Duke Thomas, Sammy Seamster, John Green, Leon McFadden (IR)S: Byron Jones (FS), Jeff Heath (SS), Kavon Frazier (SS), Robert Blanton, Jameill Showers, Xavier WoodsCoaches:Head Coach: Jason Garrett, Off Coord: Scott Linehan, QB Coach: Wade Wilson, RB Coach: Gary Brown, WR Coach: Derek Dooley, TE Coach: Mike Pope, OL Coach: Frank Pollack, SpecTm Coach: Richard Bisaccia, Def Coord: Rod Marinelli, DL Coach: Leon

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Lett, DL Coach: Ben Bloom, LB Coach: Matt Eberflus, DB Coach: Greg Jackson, DB Coach: Joe Baker

Denver Broncos

QB: The Broncos wanted to have the starting quarterback question settled before the third preseason game, and they took care of that last week when Trevor Siemian was given the nod. Siemian and the first-team offense were not productive in Saturday’s game against the Packers, but he was the right choice over second-year Paxton Lynch. Siemian is a game-manager type, but he has improved over the past year. The same can’t be said for Lynch, who exited the game against the Packers with a shoulder injury. “It’s a minor injury as we know now, moving forward if it’s something different we can discuss it,’’ head coach Vance Joseph said. “But right now, nothing’s changed. ... The X-rays were negative.’’ Rookie Kyle Sloter entered the game in relief, and he offered up another impressive performance. Joseph is resisting calls to bump Sloter up the chart. “Now he played well again, and I’ve been impressed with Kyle, he’s been really solid through camp and through the games we’ve played, but he stands where he stands.”

RB: Jamaal Charles made his preseason debut, and he needed a strong performance to secure his roster spot. He delivered. “I thought Jamaal was impressive. I mean, he hadn’t played football in almost a year-and-a-half,” Joseph said. “To take the contact to find open space the way he did, caught the ball well and his protections were good. I was impressed with Jamaal, and I was hoping he looked like that tonight. I was pleased.” While a healthy Charles is an excellent asset for any club, C.J. Anderson remains the lead dog. He’ll see the majority of carries, while Charles will serve a change of pace role. That being said, Charles can still do some damage even with just 8-10 touches per game. Devontae Booker will be able to avoid the PUP list after all, but he still looks likely to miss a few games to start the season. “His injury should not put him out past two weeks, three weeks max,” Joseph noted. Rookie De’Angelo Henderson has impressed throughout the preseason, but he did commit a mortal rookie sin of coughing up the ball against the Packers.

WR: There are no mysteries at the top of the depth chart. Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders remain locked in as the primary pass catchers, and they will see the majority of volume from Siemian. Thomas exited the game against the Packers with a minor thigh injury, but there are zero concerns that it’s anything serious. Sanders had a minor car accident on his way to practice last week, but he was fortunate enough not to

suffer any injuries. Beyond the big two, we’re still waiting for clarity for the rest of the depth chart. Bennie Fowler remains in the lead for the #3 role. Rookies Carlos Henderson and Isaiah McKenzie appear to be safe, but we’ll have to wait util cut down day to see who else sticks around. Cody Latimer, Jordan Taylor, and Hunter Sharp are the top names to keep in mind.

TE: It’s been a relatively quiet summer for Virgil Green, but he remains atop the depth chart. He hauled in two of his three targets against the Packers, and he should serve as a safety blanket for Siemian. A.J. Derby and Jeff Heuerman have been working themselves into the conversation for targets, but both players were mainly used as blockers during the dress rehearsal game. The team remains high on rookie Jake Butt, but he appears headed to the PUP list to start the season. From a bottom line perspective, Green is the player to own for fantasy purposes, but only in deeper leagues.

Defense: Through three preseason games, the defense may be better than advertised, which is saying something given their lofty reputation. Von Miller made a brief appearance against the Packers, but he was able to sack Aaron Rodgers before exiting the game. The All-Pro pass rusher sounds properly motivated to make 2017 a year to remember. “All the time that I get, I like to take advantage of it, whether it’s the walk-through time, the weight room time or the lunch time,” he said. “I like to take advantage of every single minute that I’ve got and really try to transfer that into my game.” Defensive lineman Shelby Harris has been turning heads all summer, and he’s on coach Joseph’s radar. "Shelby's been solid, from OTAs to training camp to the last three games, he's been playing really well," said Joseph. "Shelby is an ascending player right now."

Returners: As the offseason comes to a close, time is running out for anyone to step up and take the kickoff returner job away from last year's top option, Cody Latimer. Latimer has been sidelined with minor injuries, but no one has been able to capitalize on his absence.

OL: The offensive line had a decent night against the Green Bay Packers. Rookie left tackle Garett Bolles allowed no pressures or penalties, which was a vast improvement from last week’s performance. Center Matt Paradis and right tackle Menelik Watson looked good run blocking. Watson had a big night for personal reasons, as he proposed to his girlfriend in the third quarter (she said yes). Overall the Broncos’ offensive line ranks as league-average.

Broncos Depth ChartQB: Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, Kyle Sloter, Chad KellyRB: C.J. Anderson, Jamaal Charles, Devontae

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Booker (inj), De′Angelo Henderson, Juwan Thompson, Stevan RidleyFB: Andy JanovichWR: Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Bennie Fowler, Isaiah McKenzie (KR/PR), Cody Latimer, Carlos Henderson, Jordan Taylor, Kalif Raymond, Hunter Sharp, Marlon Brown, Anthony NashTE: A.J. Derby, Virgil Green, Jeff Heuerman, Jake Butt (inj), Austin Traylor, Steve ScheuLT: Garett Bolles, Ty SambrailoLG: Allen Barbre, Max GarciaC: Matt Paradis, Connor McGovernRG: Ronald Leary, Michael SchofieldRT: Menelik Watson, Donald StephensonK: Brandon McManusNT: Domata Peko, Kyle PekoDE: Derek Wolfe (inj), Jared Crick, Zach Kerr (inj), DeMarcus Walker, Kasim Edebali, Adam GotsisILB: Brandon Marshall, Todd Davis, Corey Nelson, Quentin Gause, Zaire AndersonOLB: Von Miller, Shane Ray (inj), Shaquil Barrett, Vontarrius Dora, Ken EkanemCB: Aqib Talib, Chris Harris Jr., Bradley Roby, Brendan Langley, Lorenzo Doss, Taurean NixonS: T.J. Ward (SS), Darian Stewart (FS), Will Parks (SS) (inj), Justin Simmons (FS), Dymonte Thomas, Jamal CarterCoaches:Head Coach: Vance Joseph, Off Coord: Mike McCoy, QB Coach: Bill Musgrave, RB Coach: Eric Studesville, WR Coach: Tyke Tolbert, TE Coach: Geep Chryst, OL Coach: Jeff Davidson, SpecTm Coach: Brock Olivo, Def Coord: Joe Woods, DL Coach: Bill Kollar, LB Coach: Fred Pagac, LB Coach: Reggie Herring, DB Coach: Marcus Robertson

Detroit Lions

QB: The New England Patriots defense presents a great test for any offense, and that is what the Lions faced in the third preseason game. Simply put, the Lions and Matthew Stafford did not look to be up for the test, and in some ways, they failed. Unfortunately, Stafford was not sharp at the start of the game, and the Lions paid the price as they trailed by multiple scores after only running one offensive play. He eventually found a rhythm and threw two touchdowns (one at the end of the first half and one to start the second) to help the Lions get back into the game. Stafford finished 15-of-22 for 190 yards, and he also threw an interception. Regardless of how Stafford played against the Patriots, the Lions remain committed to their veteran leader and just made him the league’s highest paid player. Detroit gave Stafford a new

5-year, $135 million contract that sets new records for signing bonus ($50 million) and guaranteed money ($92 million). Jake Rudock has outplayed Brad Kaaya, and it has been reported that Rudock is generating interest from other teams. Rudock did a very nice job of running the offense against the Patriots and has the #2 role locked up assuming he’s not traded. He was 10-of-13 for 113 yards, and he threw a touchdown. Rookie Kaaya looks headed for the practice squad.

RB: Ameer Abdullah remains atop the depth chart, and he played well versus the Patriots, both as a runner and a receiver. Abdullah can bring you to the edge of your seat because of his lateral quickness, and he shows the skill to make defenders miss, even when he runs for short yardage. He’s got a high floor this year given his diverse skill set. Abdullah carried the ball 13 times for 60 yards, but also caught three passes for 39 yards. While he will not score a boatload of touchdowns which limits his ability to carry a fantasy backfield, he certainly should generate enough yards to be a significant factor on a weekly basis. Theo Riddick made his preseason debut in the game, and while he saw limited action, it was ideal for him to get game action under his belt. Riddick is a third-down weapon, and his role is defined, so he just needs to work on getting his timing down at this point. Zach Zenner has been the short-yardage back but missed the game with an undisclosed injury. Dwayne Washington ran hard and made plays in what would normally be Zenner’s role. Washington had seven carries for 15 yards and a rushing touchdown, and also caught two passes that went for 26 yards and a score.

WR: Golden Tate and Marvin Jones are locked in as the starters, and are in midseason form. Tate generates yards after the catch with his elusiveness, and Jones is a vertical threat capable of working the boundary because of his body control. Jones and Stafford have great chemistry working, which continued against the Patriots. Tate caught five balls for 62 yards, and Jones caught four for 62 yards, including a beautiful 23-yard touchdown catch. Rookie Kenny Golladay worked with the first-team offense as the #3 in the first half against the Patriots, but he only had a 2-yard reception on three targets. The bloom is a bit off the rose on Golladay after intense hype a few weeks ago. T.J. Jones did not play, and that allowed Jace Billingsley (three catches for 45 yards on five targets) and Jared Abbrederis (three catches for 23 yards and a score on three targets) to get significant playing time. The final roster spots may not be finalized until after the fourth and final preseason game.

TE: Starting tight end Eric Ebron remains out with a hamstring injury and it seems as it could linger into the regular season. Last week head coach Jim Caldwell maintained that Ebron had not suffered a setback, but hamstring injuries have a habit of lingering. Rookie Michael Roberts had issues early in camp with ball

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security but he is a young player learning a complicated position, and it is going to take a little time. He saw two targets against the Patriots but did not catch a pass. Veteran Darren Fells was brought in to help as a blocker which will help the running game, but he’s not a difference-making receiver. Interestingly, veteran Tim Wright saw an expanded role and caught three balls for 34 yards and fits the profile of an athletic type that would fill Ebron’s role. If Ebron misses time, the Lions would be forced to use a committee.

Defense: The Lions are still without defensive end Ziggy Ansah, but all signs point to him getting closer to a return. The Lions have a phenomenal defensive line coach, and they have consistently developed unlikely talent. The Patriots exposed the defense and targeted linebacker Jarrad Davis in coverage, and Davis very much looked like a rookie. However, general manager Bob Quinn did a good job adding depth to the roster, and the defense has gotten quicker. The defense was torched by the Patriots, but that may not be a fair litmus test considering the potency of the defending Super Bowl champions.

Returners: Jamal Agnew has continued his slide on special teams, with a fumble against New England perhaps ending his last chance at a prominent role, especially given how well Jace Billingsley has been playing.

OL: The first team offensive line had a mixed night in the loss to the New England Patriots. The offense was snake bit by turnovers and ineffective run blocking. Center Travis Swanson was overwhelmed at the point of attack on several occasions. The pass protection was mostly acceptable, but the Lions’ offense didn’t generate a touchdown until one minute left in the first half, with the team down 24-0. Interior backup Joe Dahl had back-to-back false start penalties in the fourth quarter. The Lions’ offensive line grades out as a mid-tier unit.

Lions Depth ChartQB: Matthew Stafford, Jake Rudock, Brad KaayaRB: Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick (3RB), Zach Zenner (SD), Dwayne Washington, Matt Asiata, Mike James (IR)WR: Golden Tate, Marvin Jones, Kenny Golladay, T.J. Jones, Jared Abbrederis, Jace Billingsley, Michael Rector, Ryan Spadola, Andrew TurzilliTE: Eric Ebron, Darren Fells, Michael Roberts, Robert Tonyan, Cole Wick (inj), Khari Lee, Kennard BackmanLT: Greg Robinson, Cyrus Kouandijo, Storm Norton, Taylor Decker (PUP), Corey Robinson (PUP)LG: Graham Glascow, Laken TomlinsonC: Travis Swanson

RG: T.J. Lang, Joe DahlRT: Rick Wagner, Cornelius LucasK: Matt PraterDT: Haloti Ngata, A′Shawn Robinson, Akeem Spence, Khyri Thornton (susp), Jordan Hill (IR)DE: Ezekiel Ansah, Cornelius Washington, Anthony Zettel, Armonty Bryant, Jeremiah Ledbetter, Pat O′Conner, Alex Barnett, Kerry Hyder (inj)MLB: Jarrad Davis, Nick BelloreOLB: Tahir Whitehead (W), Jalen Reeves-Maybin (W), Paul Worrilow (W), Antwione Williams (S), Thurston Armbrister, Steve Longa, Brandon Copeland (IR)CB: Darius Slay, Nevin Lawson, Quandre Diggs, D.J. Hayden, Teez Tabor, Johnson Bademosi, Jamal Agnew, Adairius Barnes, Crezdon Butler, Ian Wells, Charles WashingtonS: Glover Quin (FS), Miles Killebrew (SS), Tavon Wilson (SS), Don Carey, Alex Carter, Rolan MilliganCoaches:Head Coach: Jim Caldwell, Off Coord: Jim Bob Cooter, QB Coach: Brian Callahan, RB Coach: David Walker, WR Coach: Robert Prince, TE Coach: Al Golden, OL Coach: Ron Prince, SpecTm Coach: Joe Marciano, Def Coord: Teryl Austin, DL Coach: Kris Kocurek, LB Coach: Bill Sheridan, DB Coach: Alan Williams, DB Coach: Tony Oden

Green Bay Packers

QB: Aaron Rodgers captained the first two drives Saturday night, which will probably be the last we see of him this preseason. He’s dialed in and looks to be in regular-season form. Brett Hundley took over and played most of the game against the Broncos, completing 20-of-30 passes and running for a touchdown, but taking four sacks along the way. It’s assumed that the #3 slot – if one is kept on the Week 1 roster – will be determined this Thursday night. Undrafted rookie Tayson Hill has turned heads all offseason with his mobility, arm, and splash-play mentality, and some are already penciling him in as the choice over Joe Callahan.

RB: Ty Montgomery returned to action Saturday and took a big step toward tamping down the chatter of a running back committee with rookie Jamaal Williams. Montgomery’s three rushes included an impressive, tackle-breaking 25-yard scamper off right guard and a short-yardage touchdown run. Williams impressed as well, especially in the passing game. He’s drawn raves for his protection work and registered catches of 17 and 20 yards Saturday night. Still, he’s shown little as a runner – just 33 yards on 12 rushes – and looks more like a backup/change-of-pace option than a committee back. Montgomery won’t be a high volume runner, but

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the starting role is his to open the year. Aaron Jones and Devante Mays are vying for the #3 role. Jones looked explosive on Saturday, but can’t seem to find many reps with the first or second teams. For what it’s worth, Zach Kruse of PackersWire expects all four – as well as fullback Aaron Ripkowski – to make the 53-man roster.

WR: Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, and Randall Cobb played sparingly against the Broncos, as expected. But the trio caught all five of Aaron Rodgers’ targets, and they look poised to dominate the passing game this year. The real drama centers on projecting which reserves will make the final roster. Jeff Janis and Trevor Davis look like locks, primarily on the strength of their special teams contributions. Davis, in particular, has been electric on punt returns, with runbacks of 68 and 26 yards in the first preseason game and a 27-yarder against Denver. He also led the team in targets Saturday and turned a carry into a first down; that dynamism and Rodgers’ effusive praise should put him over the top. Things get murky after those five, though. With Geronimo Allison opening the year on a one-game suspension, Thursday’s game will go a long way toward determining the outlooks for rookies DeAngelo Yancey and Malachi Dupre. Both have lost time to injuries over the past two weeks, and neither has made much impact of late. Yancey, in fact, has gone without a catch over the last two games. Slot prospect Max McCaffrey, who failed to make last year’s roster out of camp, is also in the mix.

TE: Richard Rodgers looks like a lock to make the final roster, albeit with a significantly reduced role. He’s the clear #3 and is unlikely to challenge a healthy Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks. Bennett and Kendricks have seen significant snaps together; Kendricks should play a lot as a blocker, even if Bennett dominates passing-game usage.

Defense: Cornerback Kevin King’s struggles continue. After a challenging training camp, he was eviscerated Saturday by Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders. King looks unprepared to handle NFL-caliber receivers. In better news, Davon House looks poised to return to the starting lineup. He’ll likely start opposite some rotation of second-year man Josh Hawkins, who’s excelled of late, and early 2015 picks Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins. Nick Perry, the team’s second-best edge rusher who broke through with 11 sacks in 2016, left the Broncos game early with an ankle injury. After signing a 5-year, $60 million extension in March, the team can ill afford a prolonged absence from Perry. The Packers signed veteran Ahmad Brooks on Wednesday, to provide much needed depth.

Returners: Trevor Davis spent all offseason working on his ball security after untimely fumbles cost him his job

as Green Bay's punt returner in 2016. All had been going well until a muffed punt in the second preseason game cost his team possession. Davis showed resiliency in putting his mistake behind him, though, retaining the returner job in preseason Week Three and adding another 20+ yard return to his resume in the process.

OL: The first team offensive line was without right tackle Bryan Bulaga (ankle) against the Denver Broncos. Kyle Murphy got the start, and he rotated with second-year player Jason Spriggs in Bulaga’s place. Both had a mixed night against the Broncos’ defense. Right guard Lane Taylor and Spriggs combined well in the rushing attack, but Miller victimized Spriggs with a spin move for a sack of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Bulaga’s ankle injury does not require surgery, and all signs point to his playing in Week One. Taylor and Jahri Evans are both having excellent preseasons. Assuming Bulaga plays in the opener, the Packers’ offensive line remains a mid-tier unit.

Packers Depth ChartQB: Aaron Rodgers, Brett Hundley, Joe Callahan, Taysom HillRB: Ty Montgomery, Jamaal Williams, Devante Mays, Aaron Jones, Kalif Phillips, William StanbackFB: Aaron Ripkowski, Joe KerridgeWR: Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, Geronimo Allison, Trevor Davis (KR/PR), Jeff Janis, DeAngelo Yancey, Malachi Dupre (inj), Max McCaffrey, Michael Clark, Herb WatersTE: Martellus Bennett, Lance Kendricks, Richard Rodgers, Beau Sandland (IR)LT: David Bakhtiari, Jason SpriggsLG: Lane TaylorC: Corey Linsley, Kofi AmichiaRG: Jahri Evans, Don BarklayRT: Bryan Bulaga, Kyle MurphyK: Mason CrosbyNT: Montravius Adams (inj), Brian PriceDE: Mike Daniels, Ricky Jean-Francois, Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Christian Ringo, Shaneil JenkinsILB: Jake Ryan, Blake Martinez, Joe Thomas, Jordan Tripp, Derrick MatthewsOLB: Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, Jayrone Elliott, Vince Biegel, Kyler Fackrell, Ahmad Brooks, Reggie GilbertCB: Davon House, Kevin King, Damarious Randall (PR), Quinten Rollins, LaDarius Gunter, Demetri Goodson, Josh HawkinsS: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (FS), Morgan Burnett (SS), Josh Jones, Marwin Evans, Kentrell Brice, Jermaine WhiteheadCoaches:Head Coach: Mike McCarthy, Off Coord: Edgar Bennett, QB Coach: Alex VanPelt, RB Coach: Ben Sirmans, WR Coach: Luke Getsy, TE Coach: Brian Angelichio, OL Coach: James Campen, SpecTm

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Coach: Ron Zook, Def Coord: Dom Capers, DL Coach: Mike Trgovac, LB Coach: Winston Moss, DB Coach: Joe Whitt, DB Coach: Darren Perry

Houston Texans

NOTE: The NFL has canceled the fourth (and final) preseason game versus the Cowboys in light of Hurricane Harvey.

QB: Tom Savage and the first-team offense were unable to get anything going in a shutout loss to the Saints. While Savage completed 10-of-16 passes, he threw for just 79 yards. He was without his top two receivers, starting tight end and played behind an offensive line that continues to tinker with different starting combinations. Despite the lack of success, Savage showed poise in the face of constant pressure from the Saints front. “I’m 100% confident in myself,” said Savage after the game. “I can’t wait to get going this regular season. Deep down inside we just lost but I’m smiling. I can’t wait. I can’t wait to get out there.”

Texans head coach Bill O’Brien echoed his quarterback’s thoughts. “I’m very comfortable with him,” said O’Brien. “He’s got good command of what we’re doing. He understands the ins and outs of the protections and the running game and how to operate the offense. So I’m very comfortable with him.” Savage’s grip on the starting job continues to strengthen because the Deshaun Watson hype has calmed considerably due to back-to-back rough outings. The Texans want Watson to stay in the pocket longer and improve at reading defenses. He is very much a work in progress in that regard. Watson completed just 11-of-21 passes for 116 yards and an interception on a pass that sailed high. He could have been picked off on two other errant throws if Saints defenders held on to the ball. "I thought there were some bright spots," O'Brien said. "They threw a lot of pressure at him, which is good for a rookie quarterback to see. I thought sometimes he handled it pretty well. He was able to throw the sight adjustment throw, the hot to a couple of guys. Other times, maybe he missed it or maybe the receiver missed it. It's something where he's going to really watch the tape and really improve."

RB: The running game was a mess against the Saints, averaging just 2.7 yards per attempt. Lamar Miller is

entrenched as the starter but hasn’t made many plays in his three short preseason appearances. D’Onta Foreman was one of the early stars of camp and made some eye-opening plays with the backups in the first two preseason games. But he has been slowed by a groin injury the past week, and O’Brien has thrown some cold water on his hype by suggesting that Foreman is still “a long way off.” The Texans are going to need Foreman to accelerate his learning curve, however, because injuries have hit the running back corps hard. Akeem Hunt has also been sidelined with a hamstring injury. Alfred Blue has a high ankle sprain that puts his availability for Week One in doubt. Miller and Tyler Ervin are the only two healthy backs on the roster right now.

WR: O’Brien has been extremely vague about why DeAndre Hopkins has been held out of practice and preseason games for the past few weeks. However, beat writer John McClain has reported that Hopkins has been dealing with a hand injury. While details are scarce, indications are that Hopkins should be available for the regular season opener. Braxton Miller has also been sidelined with an ankle injury, but he too is expected to be ready to go Week One. Bruce Ellington continues to make plays and is positioning himself to make the team as the fourth receiver. With Jaelen Strong suspended, Ellington will be counted on for heavy snaps in the season opener.

TE: Starting tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz has been sidelined with an injured quad and sat out against New Orleans. He is expected to return to practice soon. Sean Pendergast of the Houston Press believes Stephen Anderson has done enough in recent weeks to secure a 53-man roster spot, joining Fiedorowicz and Ryan Griffin.

Defense: Unlike the offense, the defense is healthy and loaded. Veterans J.J. Watt, Whitney Mercilus, Brian Cushing, Bernardrick McKinney, Johnathan Joseph, Kevin Johnson and Kareem Jackson all played in the first series against the Saints. So too was outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, who returned to the lineup after missing last week's game against the Patriots. The starters held Drew Brees and the loaded Saints offense out of the end zone. The Texans should have one of the league’s best defenses in 2017.

K: Neither Nick Novak nor Kai’mi Fairbairn attempted a field goal as the offense sputtered against the Saints. Novak is the incumbent, although he has the weaker leg on kickoffs. Fairbairn hasn’t made a strong case to displace Novak yet, and time is running out.

Returners: After a rash of injuries left Houston with just two healthy running backs, they signed former Colts running back and kickoff returner Jordan Todman.

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Todman could become an option in the return game if the Texans are uncomfortable risking Tyler Ervin on special teams.

OL: Without left tackle Duane Brown continuing his holdout, the line had a rough night in the loss to the New Orleans Saints. Chris Clark also missed the game with leg soreness. Kendall Lamm got the start at left tackle while Breno Giacomini got the nod at right tackle. The line couldn’t get much push in the run game, and they didn’t protect the quarterback well either, allowing four sacks and nine quarterback hits. It is not clear if either Brown or Clark will be in the Week One lineup. The Texans line is solid with both Brown and Clark playing tackle but is toward the lower end of the league without them.

Texans Depth ChartQB: Tom Savage, Deshaun Watson, Brandon WeedenRB: Lamar Miller, Alfred Blue (inj), D′Onta Foreman, Tyler Ervin (KR/PR), Akeem Hunt, Dare Ogunbowale, Jordan TodmanFB: Jay ProschWR: DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller (inj), Braxton Miller, Jaelen Strong (susp), Wendall Williams, Dres Anderson, Bruce Ellington, Shaq Hill, Justin Hardee, Deante′ Gray, Devin Street, Chris Thompson, Riley McCarronTE: C.J. Fiedorowicz, Ryan Griffin, Stephen Anderson, RaShaun Allen, Evan Baylis, Zach Conque (IR)LT: Kendall Lamm, Duane BrownLG: Xavier Sua-Filo, David QuessenberryC: Nick Martin, Greg Mancz, Kyle FullerRG: Jeff AllenRT: Chris Clark, Julien Davenport, Derek Newton (PUP) K: Nick Novak, Ka′imi FairbairnNT: D.J. Reader, Carlos Watkins, Eli AnkouDE: J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney (OLB), Christian Covington, Joel Heath, Ufomba Kamalu, Brandon Dunn, Matt Godin (IR)ILB: Benardrick McKinney, Brian Cushing, Zach Cunningham, Sio Moore, Brian Peters, Eric LeeOLB: Whitney Mercilus (S), Brennan Scarlett, Tony Washington, Dylan Cole, Joe Mathis, Gerald Rivers, Shakeel RashadCB: Johnathan Joseph, Kevin Johnson, Kareem Jackson, Denzel Rice, Robert NelsonS: Eddie Pleasant (SS), Corey Moore (FS), Andre Hal (FS), KJ Dillon, Treston Decoud, Kurtis Drummond, Lonnie Ballentine, Marcus GilchristCoaches:Head Coach: Bill OBrien, QB Coach: Sean Ryan, RB Coach: Charles London, WR Coach: John Perry, TE Coach: Tim Kelly, OL Coach: Mike Devlin, SpecTm Coach: Larry Izzo, Def Coord: Mike Vrabel, DL

Coach: Anthony Weaver, LB Coach: Bobby King, DB Coach: John Butler

Indianapolis Colts

QB: With each passing day, it appears more likely Andrew Luck will not be ready for the start of the regular season. Per Chuck Pagano, Luck is still without a timetable for return. "There's no timeline," Pagano said Tuesday. "No timetable." All we know is Luck is throwing the football and has seen watching practice. "We're not going to know until we get him out here," Pagano said. "Again, when doctors say he's ready, healthy and 100 percent and he can start practicing -- then you'll have that answer." Veteran backup Scott Tolzien had his best showing of the preseason in Saturday’s win over the Steelers, completing 7-of-10 passes for 123 yards and one ugly interception. “I felt good,’’ Tolzien said. “I feel like in each game; you get a little more comfortable; the play calls, anticipate those, and the guys in the huddle. It is just the whole sequence of things, even just the pregame stuff leading up to the game.” Tolzien has worked exclusively with the first team during the summer and has likely locked up starting duties to open the season, but it’s important to acknowledge Stephen Morris’ strong play. Morris finished 12-of-16 for 143 yards. Over the last two preseasons, Morris has completed 75-of-112 passes, for 879 yards, five touchdowns, one interception, and a 101.7 passer rating. When asked if he’s feeling pressure from Morris, Tolzien had high praise for the second-year player. “I’ll flip the switch right there,” Tolzien said. “Stephen Morris has done a heck of a job. He’s been awesome. I really admire the way he has worked behind the scenes. Day-in and day-out he has been great in our quarterback room for everybody. It just goes to show you that if you put in the time, it gives you confidence and you can ultimately go out there and play well. As far as feeling pressure on myself, I feel the most pressure internally. It’s always been that way for me.’’ Pagano was surprisingly non-committal on naming a Week One starter. “I am not going to comment or say anything right now,” he said. “I think we all saw some good things out of both guys. We won’t know until we look at the tape and really study everybody. It was great for the team and great for those guys, both those guys.’’

RB: Frank Gore looked healthy on Saturday and remains atop the depth chart. The 34-year old veteran rushed for 23 yards on five carries, including a one-yard touchdown. Gore looked spry on runs of 10 and 11 yards on Indianapolis’ second series. Robert Turbin got the night off, presumably so the Colts could get a look at rookie Marlon Mack with the first-team offense. Mack came down to Earth a bit after last week’s impressive

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preseason debut, rushing for 18 yards on seven carries and adding one reception for 17 yards. It appears likely Mack has earned an early-season role alongside Gore after he was used in third-down situations with the first-stringers. Second year back Josh Ferguson reminded us he’s still on the roster, leading the Colts with 11 carries and converting a 4th quarter goal line touchdown.

WR: T.Y. Hilton was a scratch for the regular season dress rehearsal. He’s not listed with an injury, so it appears the Colts just don’t want to risk their top receiver before the season starts. Donte Moncrief seems to be over his sprained AC joint. He took a slant from Tolzien 55 yards on the first play from scrimmage and later drew pass interference in the end zone that led to Gore’s touchdown. Chester Rogers, who was considered the leader to start in three-wide sets alongside Hilton and Moncrief, hasn’t practiced since August 16th with a hamstring injury. It’s possible he’s fallen behind Phillip Dorsett, who was the most impressive receiver on Saturday. Dorsett caught 3-of-4 targets for 60 yards, including a long gain of 32 yards. “I think he’s as high (in terms of confidence) as he’s ever been,” Pagano said of Dorsett. “Forget what transpired before this. First year, second year, whatever it is. This is a good night for Phil. He made some plays, and he made some contested catches, so he’s going to walk out of this locker room feeling good about himself and feeling confident...I’m glad to see him come through, and we’re going to need him.” After the game, Dorsett shrugged off the position battle. “I don’t even really think about that,” Dorsett said. “All I can do is work hard, do what I can on the field, make plays and try and get better. The playbook is easier for me, and I can play all three (receiver) positions. I definitely know what to expect.”

TE: Jack Doyle continued his quiet preseason, catching 1-of-3 targets for nine yards. But it’s not as though Doyle has anything to prove, with very little behind him on the depth chart. There were no updates this week on backup Erik Swoope’s recovery from the knee surgery he underwent about two weeks ago. Swoope’s absence opened the door for 29-year old Brandon Williams to get some playing time with the first-stringers Saturday. A penalty nullified Williams' only reception, but it appears he’s the frontrunner to fill in for Swoope when the Colts use two tight end sets.

Defense: Star cornerback Vontae Davis left the game in the first half with a groin injury and did not return. Coach Pagano called him “week to week” and said to expect the veteran cornerback to miss “multiple games.” Losing Davis is a huge blow to the defense, which already had the look of a vulnerable unit. Rookie cornerback Nate Hairston, who was widely expected to be a practice squad candidate early in the offseason, continued his strong preseason with six tackles, including one for a loss. With Darryl Morris on injured reserve, Hairston

could end up the starter at nickel corner. First round pick Malik Hooker (shoulder) returned to practice on Wednesday but didn’t suit up on Saturday.

Returners: JoJo Natson’s stellar preseason play has been the feel-good story of the Colts preseason. The 5’7”, 159-pounder was a roster longshot two months ago but leads all Colts in receptions and receiving yards during the preseason. His size makes a regular role on offense a pipe dream, but he has a chance to make the team on special teams.

OL: Even though Brian Schwenke came off the PUP list last week, center Deyshawn Bond got the start in place of Ryan Kelly against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Schwenke has much more experience than the undrafted rookie Bond, but he has to work his way back into form. Right tackle is also unsettled, as Jeremy Vujnovich got the start in place of LeRaven Clark. Clark was publicly demoted by the coaching staff this week. Vujnovich was solid, which is good news, as the next move would be to bump either of the guards (Jack Mewhort or Joe Haeg) outside to tackle. The Colts continue to rank as a lower-tier unit, particularly with Kelly set to miss significant time.

Colts Depth ChartQB: Andrew Luck (inj), Scott Tolzien, Stephen MorrisRB: Frank Gore, Robert Turbin (FB), Marlon Mack, Josh Ferguson, Troymaine Pope, George Winn, Dalton Crossan, Christine Michael (IR)WR: T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief, Chester Rogers, Phillip Dorsett, Kamar Aiken, Quan Bray, Bug Howard, Tevaun Smith, Marcus Leak, Al-Damion RilesTE: Jack Doyle, Erik Swoope, Darrell Daniels, Brandon Williams, Henry Krieger-Coble, Mo Alie-CoxLT: Anthony CastonzoLG: Jack MewhortC: Ryan Kelly, Brian Schwenke (PUP), Austin BlytheRG: Denzelle Good, Zach BannerRT: Joe Haeg, LeRaven ClarkK: Adam Vinatieri, Devon BellNT: Johnathan Hankins, Al Woods, Grover Stewart, David Parry, T.Y. McGillDE: Henry Anderson, Hassan Ridgeway, Margus Hunt, Kristjan Sokoli, Garrett Sickels, Josh BoydILB: Edwin Jackson, Sean Spence (inj), Antonio Morrison, Anthony Walker, Jon Bostic, Luke RhodesOLB: Jabaal Sheard, John Simon, Akeem Ayers, Tarell Basham, Barkevious Mingo, Deiontrez Mount, LaVar EdwardsCB: Vontae Davis (inj), Rashaan Melvin, Quincy Wilson, Christopher Milton, Nate Hairston, Tevin Mitchel, Chris Culliver, Corey White, Dante BlackmonS: Darius Butler (SS/CB), Malik Hooker (FS), Mathias Farley (FS), T.J. Green (FS/CB), Andrew Williamson

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(SS), Tyvis Powell, Ronald Martin, Lee Hightower, Clayton Geathers (SS)(PUP)Coaches:Head Coach: Chuck Pagano, Off Coord: Rob Chudzinski, QB Coach: Brian Schottenheimer, RB Coach: Jemal Singleton, WR Coach: Sanjay Lal, TE Coach: Jim Hostler, OL Coach: Joe Philbin, SpecTm Coach: Tom McMahon, Def Coord: Ted Monachino, DL Coach: Gary Emanuel, LB Coach: Brad White, LB Coach: Jim Herrman, DB Coach: Greg Williams

Jacksonville Jaguars

QB: We’ve been here before. Another offseason full of optimism ends up being a preseason full of questions. A spirited competition between Bortles and Chad Henne ended in an unexpected way when Coach Doug Marrone named Bortles the Week One starter. Bortles finished the team’s third preseason game going 12-of-16 for 125 yards with a touchdown and an interception along with a 9-yard run. It was enough to sway the coaches back in his direction after leaning toward Henne for weeks. “I kind of understand this business after ten years. We’ll see what happens in the future. I still have to be prepared to start at any time. Basically, it was just the escape-ability of Blake and being able to move outside the pocket, which I totally get,” Henne said. “For me, it’s just keep plugging away and be excited about my opportunity and what my role is and still be ready to play.”

RB: Leonard Fournette finally got back to practice on Saturday and expects to be ready for Week One against the Texans. He could also see a brief appearance in the team’s final exhibition game on Thursday. “I’m very confident,” Fournette said. “That’s nothing to worry about. … It’s very frustrating. You want to be out there with the team, your boys. I’m just competing every day, working my way back to practice. It should be good. I never had a foot or toe injury or nothing like that before. They’ve done a great job with rehabbing a lot of us. I think it’s going pretty good.” T.J. Yeldon remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. Chris Ivory and Corey Grant took advantage of Fournette and Yeldon’s injuries and handled the majority of snaps against the Panthers. Both backs rushed ten times and were targeted twice as receivers. Ivory ended up with the touchdown, but it was Grant with the impressive 51-yard rush.

WR: Marqise Lee returned from a two-week ankle injury to practice on Saturday. “It's an injury that we thought was worse at that time,” Lee said. “After we got the MRI and went through a couple of days, it wasn’t so bad.” Rookie Keelan Cole still has a real chance to make the Jaguars roster as he has impressed on offense and also

on special teams returning punts. Cole dropped a very catchable pass for the second week in a row, but it looks as if the Jaguars are still trying to figure out what his role will be rather than trying to figure whether or not he has a roster spot. Allen Robinson caught two of three targets for 50 yards against the Panthers. Robinson still looks like he is leaving a lot out there on the field because of the quarterback play. Allen Hurns made his preseason debut and caught three passes for 28 yards. There has been speculation that the team was trying to trade him, but his unreasonably expensive contract precludes that possibility for most teams.

TE: Mychal Rivera was supposed to be the team’s number two tight end, but he has been dealing with an injury and hasn’t been on the field at all. His roster spot could be in jeopardy if he doesn’t get on the field next week against the Falcons. So far it looks as if Marcedes Lewis and Ben Koyack are locked in to make the team, and Alex Ellis will battle it out with Rivera as the final tight end to make the team.

Defense: Dante Fowler remains one of the big question marks on defense as he has been held out of practice and the missed the Panthers game. “I feel really good,” Fowler said. “I’m ready physically, and I think I’m mentally ready. I’ve got to take that mental part to another level in terms of being 100 percent on my alignments and my assignments. If I can do that, I can be me and play fast. I started fast last year, then went down. I feel good coming out of this camp that I’ve handled my business off the field, handled my business on the field. I’m in shape and honestly approaching the game as a pro. I was a true rookie last year in some of the things I did and didn’t do last year. I can tell I’m maturing and taking steps in the right direction. Being consistent on and off the field is my biggest thing.”

Returners: Most NFL teams typically reserve a roster spot to keep a return specialist who contributes little on offense. Jacksonville's head coach, Doug Marrone, suggested the Jaguars will operate differently in 2017. “At the end of the day, it will probably come down to who is going to make the team, first, and then I think what it’s going to come down to is how are we going to dress on game day?” he opined. “I think we have some good options, meaning that if someone were so much better, he might be the return guy and he’s dressing, but I think we have some guys that can contribute on the offensive side of the ball that potentially could be dressing that are very good returners.” If Marrone follows through on his promise, Rashad Greene’s roster spot could be less secure than we assumed.

OL: It was a mixed night for the first team offensive line in the loss to the Carolina Panthers. The team started Luke Bowanko at left guard over Patrick Omameh. Neither player is having a good preseason. Right tackle

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Jermey Parnell committed a false start on 3rd and 8. On the next play (3rd and 13) rookie left tackle Cam Robinson gave up a quick sack of quarterback Chad Henne. The first team did push in a rushing touchdown on the next drive, but the team’s most explosive play was a fake punt, which speaks volumes. The Jaguars’ line rates as a lower-tier squad.

Jaguars Depth ChartQB: Blake Bortles, Chad Henne, Brandon AllenRB: Leonard Fournette, Chris Ivory, T.J. Yeldon, Corey Grant (KR), Jonathan Grimes, I′tavius Mathers, DuJuan Harris, Tyler Gaffney, Tim CookFB: Tommy Bohanon, Marquez WilliamsWR: Allen Robinson, Marqise Lee (inj), Allen Hurns, Dede Westbrook, Arrelious Benn, Rashad Greene, Shane Wynn, Amba Etta-Tawo, Kenneth Walker, Keelan Cole, Larry PinkardTE: Mychal Rivera, Marcedes Lewis, Ben Koyack, Neal Sterling, Alex Ellis, Caleb Bluiett, David GrinnageLT: Cam RobinsonLG: Earl Watford, Patrick OmamehC: Brandon Linder, Luke BowankoRG: AJ Cann, Tyler ShatleyRT: Jermey Parnell, Jeremiah PoutasiK: Jason MyersDT: Malik Jackson, Abry Jones (NT), Michael Bennett, Stefan Charles, Sheldon Day, Tueni Lupeamanu, Kevin MauriceDE: Calais Campbell, Yannick Ngakoue, Dante Fowler Jr., Dawaune Smoot, Chris Smith, Carroll Phillips, Malliciah Goodman, Jonathan Woodard, Hunter DimickMLB: Paul Posluszny, Audie Cole, Blair BrownOLB: Telvin Smith (W), Myles Jack (S), Hayes Pullard III (W), Lerentee McCray, Josh McNary, Justin Horton, P.J. DavisCB: Jalen Ramsey, A.J. Bouye, Aaron Colvin, Jalen Myrick, Brian Dixon, Doran Grant, Jeremy Cutrer, Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Ezra Robinson, Josh Johnson (IR)S: Barry Church (SS), Tashaun Gipson (FS), Peyton Thompson (FS), Tracy Howard (FS), Jarrod Wilson (FS), Charlie Miller, Jarod HarperCoaches:Head Coach: Doug Marrone, Off Coord: Nathaniel Hackett, QB Coach: Scott Milanovich, RB Coach: Tyrone Wheatley, WR Coach: Keenan McCardell, TE Coach: Ron Middleton, OL Coach: Pat Flaherty, SpecTm Coach: Joe DeCamillis, Def Coord: Todd Wash, DL Coach: Marion Hobby, LB Coach: Mark Collins, DB Coach: Perry Fewell

Kansas City Chiefs

QB: The Chiefs offense looked solid through two preseason games, but the team ran into some troubles against the Seattle Seahawks on Friday. Alex Smith and the first-team offense couldn’t get much of anything going, and the typically efficient signal caller completed only 7-of-17 passes. “Not good enough tonight, all the way around,” Smith said after the game. “Offensively, just a bunch of mistakes, missed opportunities and self-inflicted things. I’ve got to get it cleaned up.” Despite the offensive struggles against the Seahawks, Smith has looked great throughout camp. Head coach Andy Reid has made it crystal clear that the job is Smith’s. Rookie Patrick Mahomes has turned plenty of heads throughout the summer, and the club is high on his prospects. It appears that he’s done enough to earn the backup job as a rookie; an impressive feat for a team that considers itself a title contender. The Chiefs will be in good shape if Smith misses time. Tyler Bray will serve as a third-string quarterback if the club decides to keep three signal callers.

RB: Throughout the preseason, there has been plenty of speculation about how much rookie Kareem Hunt would factor into the Chiefs’ backfield rotation. After Spencer Ware was carted off with a season-ending knee injury against the Seahawks, it’s clear Hunt will be the team’s lead back. "[Hunt would] be the next man up, " Reid said. Charcandrick West and C.J. Spiller looked to be competing for one roster spot before Ware’s injury, but both are probably safe unless the team signs another veteran. West turned heads with an exceptional game last week against the Bengals, while Spiller has been a pleasant surprise this summer. Ware’s injury is a blow, but it was pretty clear that Hunt was the back of the future in Kansas City. The timetable has just accelerated, and Hunt’s fantasy draft stock has risen astronomically as a result. Hunt is creeping into the second round of some drafts, although we think that’s a bit too aggressive.

WR: The offense sputtered against the Seahawks, thanks In part to the receiving corps dropping too many passes. There were five noticeable drops by the first-team offense, and Tyreek Hill was responsible for three of them. “We’re a pretty straight-headed football team, and we had some drops there with the potential yards after the catch on those so again, we’ve got to a better job,” Reid said. Despite the poor performance in the third preseason game, the Chiefs offense has shown promise as the regular season approaches. Tyreek Hill is locked in as Smith’s primary target (outside of tight end Travis Kelce), and he’s a breakout candidate. Chris Conley is the unquestioned #2, while Albert Wilson is

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penciled in as #3. The Chiefs have assembled some depth at the position, so roster cutdown day will be exciting to watch. De’Anthony Thomas appears locked into a 53-man roster spot due to his value on special teams. Demarcus Robinson, Jehu Chesson, and Seantavius Jones are among the other names in the mix for roster spots.

TE: As with the rest of the first-team offense, Travis Kelce had a forgettable game against the Seahawks as he hauled in just one of his four targets. Kelce has looked fine since returning from the knee swelling that hampered him in the early part of camp. He remains one of the NFL’s best tight ends and obviously sits alongside Tyreek Hill as Alex Smith’s top targets. Demetrius Harris appears set to serve as his primary backup. “I’m looking forward to how he plays this season. He’s come a long way,” Reid said. The Chiefs have intriguing depth at the position with Gavin Escobar, Ross Travis, and Orson Charles competing for roster spots.

Defense: As the preseason winds down, the Chiefs are getting healthy on the defensive side of the ball. Second-year defensive lineman Chris Jones was able to suit up against the Seahawks, and his recovery from offseason knee surgery is going well. “I feel good,” Jones said. “I’ve still got to get the pace of the game and be in game shape, but other than that I feel good.” Defensive coordinator Bob Sutton provided an update on linebacker Justin Houston last week, and he looks to be ready as the regular season approaches. “For a guy like him, he’s played so many games it still takes him a little time to get that reaction where it’s normal where you’re not that one click behind,” Sutton said. “So he’s done a good job. We’re excited he’s back and healthy.” The team has prioritized improving the run defense throughout camp and the preseason, and early returns are promising. The unit is in line to be among the best in the league.

K: Sam Ficken made two field goals and missed from 56 yards as Cairo Santos continues to miss time with a groin injury. If Santos can’t suit up for the fourth preseason game, we can’t assume he’ll be ready for the Thursday night season opener against the Patriots. Santos was draftable in standard sized fantasy leagues entering the preseason, but his injury removes him from serious consideration.

Returners: After flirting with using rookie Jehu Chesson on kickoff returns, the team turned back to De'Anthony Thomas. The veteran took a kickoff back 95 yards for a touchdown against the Seahawks and looks primed to reprise his role as the principal deep man.

OL: The first team offensive line had a decent night on the road against the Seattle Seahawks. The first team

had success opening up holes in the rushing attack and kept quarterback Alex Smith clean for the most part. Right tackle Mitchell Schwartz is playing at a high level and has been a rock in pass protection. Right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif recorded an ill-advised personal foul penalty. Left guard Bryan Witzmann appears to have the starting job locked up, despite Parker Ehinger’s return from the PUP list last week. Depth is a concern, but the Chiefs’ line grades out as a solid mid-tier option barring injuries.

Chiefs Depth ChartQB: Alex Smith, Patrick Mahomes, Tyler Bray, Joel StaveRB: Kareem Hunt, Charcandrick West, C.J. Spiller, Devine Redding, Spencer Ware (inj)FB: Anthony Sherman, Trey MillardWR: Tyreek Hill (PR), Chris Conley, Albert Wilson, Demarcus Robinson (KR/PR), Jehu Chesson, De′Anthony Thomas (KR), Gehrig Dieter, Seantavius Jones, Corey Washington, Marcus Kemp, Tevin Jones, Kenny Cook, Justin Hunt, Jamari Staples, Tony StevensTE: Travis Kelce, Demetrius Harris, Gavin Escobar, Ross Travis, Orson CharlesLT: Eric FisherLG: Brian Witzmann, Parker Ehinger (PUP), Mike PersonC: Mitch MorseRG: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Zach FultonRT: Mitchell Schwartz, Jah ReidK: Cairo SantosNT: Bennie Logan (inj), Cam ThomasDE: Chris Jones, Allen Bailey, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Jarvis Jenkins, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, T.J. Barnes, Roy Miller , David King ILB: Derrick Johnson, Kevin Pierre-Louis, Ramik Wilson, Reggie Ragland, Terrance Smith, Justin March-LillardOLB: Dee Ford, Justin Houston, Tamba Hali, Frank Zombo, Ukeme Eligwe, Dadi NicolasCB: Marcus Peters, Phillip Gaines (inj), Steven Nelson, Kenneth Acker, Eric Murray, D.J. White, Terrance Mitchell, Ashton Lampkin, Vernon HarrisS: Eric Berry (SS), Ron Parker (FS), Daniel Sorenson (SS), Marqueston Huff, Leon McQuay IIICoaches:Head Coach: Andy Reid, Off Coord: Matt Nagy, Off Coord: Brad Childress, RB Coach: Eric Bieniemy, WR Coach: Greg Lewis, TE Coach: Tom Melvin, OL Coach: Andy Heck, SpecTm Coach: Dave Toub, Def Coord: Bob Sutton, DL Coach: Brett Reid, LB Coach: Gary Gibbs, DB Coach: Al Harris, DB Coach: Emmitt Thomas

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Los Angeles Chargers

QB: Based on what we saw in the third preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams - as well as throughout camp - there’s a lot to get excited about in regards to the offense. Philip Rivers was completely dialed in against the Rams, and he torched the defense with a 6-of-6 performance for 85 yards and a touchdown. “I never like to overreact either way, good or bad,” Rivers said. “Obviously, we’ve had some good drives, but we’ve got a long way to go, a lot room to improve, (but) it’s been a positive training camp and preseason so far.” The backup quarterback job remains a question mark. Cardale Jones saw the majority of snaps after Rivers left the game, but head coach Anthony Lynn acknowledged he’s a work in progress. Jones completed 9-of-13 passes for 74 yards and an interception. “I’m just trying to get Cardale caught up,” Lynn said. “Just so that he can have a fair chance.” Kellen Clemens didn’t play versus the Rams, while Mike Bercovici finished out the game going 5-of-9 for 62 yards.

RB: The first-team offense was completely in sync against the Rams, marching down the field for two touchdowns. Melvin Gordon ran eight times for 36 yards and a touchdown. He credits the man that makes the engine go for making that possible. “Phil is Phil,” Gordon said. “Obviously, he is amazing at what he does. Having a player of that caliber makes a complete difference.” Gordon is the workhorse, but the Chargers have depth at the position Branden Oliver will serve as Gordon’s primary backup and handcuff. Andre Williams, Kenjon Barner, and Kenneth Farrow are competing for the final roster spots.

WR: Keenan Allen is healthy and is answering any lingering questions about whether he can be the team’s #1 receiver. He hauled in all five of his targets against the Rams. Tyrell Williams sat out Saturday’s game for precautionary reasons with a groin injury, but it doesn’t appear to be anything serious. He’s been turning heads in camp, but he sees plenty of room for improvement. “There are little things I need to do to gain separation, so Philip (Rivers) is even more comfortable throwing it to me,” he said. “So yeah, I have (had success), but I need to do more to be a complete player.” Travis Benjamin caught only one pass against the Rams, but it was a 45-yard touchdown. He did the same against the Seahawks in the first game of the preseason and remains firmly on the radar as a home run threat. Rookie Mike Williams likely won’t see the field until October. The remainder of the depth chart is sorting itself out, but Dontrelle Inman should be safe.

TE: Hunter Henry has been one of the team’s stars throughout the summer. While he’s been relatively quiet during preseason games, he remains a breakout candidate. The Chargers have an embarrassment of riches at the skill positions, but Henry will see plenty of targets. The ageless Antonio Gates has had a solid summer as well. While the trend is pointing towards Henry as the Chargers lead tight end, Gates and Rivers have legendary chemistry. Henry will likely outpace Gates in targets, but the good fortune could be reversed in the red zone. Jeff Cumberland and Sean McGrath are jockeying for position at the bottom of the depth chart, but both players have been battling injuries.

Defense: Not to be outdone by the offense, the Chargers defense put forth an impressive effort against the Rams. Joey Bosa was able to strip sack Jared Goff, and Melvin Ingram scooped it up for a 76-yard touchdown return. “Our whole motto is get after the ball, so I’m not really worried about hitting quarterbacks as much as just getting the ball out of their hand this year,” Bosa said. “I think that motto has kind of been showing (from) the defense these last few weeks.” The unit as a whole looked solid, and it somewhat erases the stench of an embarrassing performance in the first preseason game against the Seahawks. “It was solid,” Jason Verrett said. “We started pretty fast, and we did a better job of finishing this week. We always talk about creating turnovers in practice, and we got two.”

K: Josh Lambo was 3-of-3 on extra points, and it appears the incumbent has probably done enough to hold onto the job over rookie free agent Younghoe Koo. Koo’s camp performance garnered some attention; he may land on another team in need of a better kicker.

Returners: After a disastrous second preseason game where Isaiah Burse lost yardage on two punt returns and muffed a third, he wasn't back deep at all in the third preseason contest. Instead, Kenjon Barner – primarily a kickoff returner – was the first player to drop back and field a punt. Burse’s roster spot may be in jeopardy.

OL: The offensive line had a good night in the win over the Los Angeles Rams. Chris Hairston started at right tackle as Joe Barksdale was nursing a foot injury. Barksdale’s situation doesn’t appear serious, and he should be back for Week One. The right side of Hairston and guard Kenny Wiggins was efficient both run- and pass-blocking. The line has held together in spite of losing Forrest Lamp for the season. While Lamp has elite upside, the five starting veterans have experience and cohesion. Overall the Chargers’ offensive line is trending in the right direction and is an above average unit.

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Chargers Depth ChartQB: Philip Rivers, Kellen Clemens, Cardale Jones, Eli JenkinsRB: Melvin Gordon, Branden Oliver, Andre Williams, Kenjon Barner, Kenneth Farrow, Austin EkelerFB: Derek WattWR: Keenan Allen, Tyrell Williams, Travis Benjamin (PR), Mike Williams (inj), Dontrelle Inman, Javontee Herndon, Geremy Davis, Artavis Scott, Isaiah Burse, Jamaal JonesTE: Hunter Henry, Antonio Gates, Jeff Cumberland, Sean McGrath, Asante ClevelandLT: Russell Okung, Tyreek Burwell, Sam TeviLG: Matt Slauson, Donavon ClarkC: Spencer Pulley, Max TuerkRG: Kenny Wiggins, Dan Feeney, Forrest Lamp (IR)RT: Joe Barksdale, Chris HairstonK: Josh LamboDT: Corey Liuget, Brandon Mebane (NT), Ryan Carrethers (NT), Caraun Reid, Damion Square, Tenny Palepoi (susp), Kaleb EullsDE: Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram, Jeremiah Attaochu (inj), Chris Landrum, Roy Philon, Chris McCain, Isaac RochellMLB: Denzel Perryman (inj), Korey Toomer, Nick DzubnarOLB: Jatavis Brown (W), Kyle Emanuel (S), Joshua Perry (W/S), James Onwualu, Mike Moore, Nigel HarrisCB: Jason Verrett, Casey Hayward, Trevor Williams, Craig Mager, Trovon Reed, Michael Davis, Randell Evans, Ryan Reid, Brandon Stewart, Brad WatsonS: Jahleel Addae (SS), Dwight Lowery (FS), Desmond King (FS), Adrian Phillips (FS), Tre Boston, Rayshawn Jenkins, Dexter McCoil, Adrian McDonaldCoaches:Head Coach: Anthony Lynn, Off Coord: Ken Whisenhunt, QB Coach: Shane Steichen, QB Coach: Nick Sirianni, RB Coach: Alfredo Roberts, TE Coach: John McNulty, OL Coach: Pat Meyer, SpecTm Coach: George Stewart, Def Coord: Gus Bradley, DL Coach: Giff Smith, LB Coach: Richard Smith, DB Coach: Ron Milus

Los Angeles Rams

QB: Jared Goff has locked in the starting job, but backup Sean Mannion is again outperforming the incumbent starter. Despite a solid statistical performance against the lowly Oakland Raiders' defense, Goff completed just 5-of-8 passes for 56 yards and an interception against the Chargers. On the other hand, Mannion completed 16-of-29 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown. If you

calculate the adjusted net yards per pass attempt for each passer, Mannion hits the 6.60 mark, just around Russell Wilson and Matthew Stafford's 2016 seasons, while Goff hits the 5.85 mark, just around Colin Kaepernick and Eli Manning's 2016 seasons. Goff has enough buffer to last this one out for a while, but there's no promise that he'll be the team's starter by the time the fantasy playoffs come around. Goff had sack-fumble issues last season and in college, and he had a sack-fumble that was returned for 76 yards for a touchdown this week.

RB: For whatever reason, the Rams sat a lot of their starters for non-injury related reasons against the Chargers. That's not usually the case, but starting running back Todd Gurley was among the players rested. His replacement this week Malcolm Brown gained 44 yards on nine carries. Brown has outplayed fellow backup, Justin Davis. Davis had one good outing this preseason if you discount fumbles, but his five-carry, 14-yard game pretty much wraps up the idea of him competing for the #2 role.

WR: Starting receiver Tavon Austin and preseason standout Cooper Kupp didn't play this week, leaving Robert Woods, Sammy Watkins and Josh Reynolds as the significant names in Los Angeles. Reynolds stood out for a second straight game with a three-reception, 71-yard, and one touchdown performance. Woods also caught two passes for 23 yards. In two games with the Rams, Watkins has only caught two receptions for eight yards. The team needs to get more from the veteran they just traded for in spite of being in a contract year. Pharoh Cooper won’t see many regular season snaps on offense, but he solidified his roster spot with a 5-catch, 70-yard game.

TE: At tight end, there isn't that much to discuss. Gerald Everett continued to build his lead over Tyler Higbee with two receptions for six yards. Higbee didn’t catch a pass.

Defense: After giving up 21 points in the first quarter, the Rams have now given up a combined 38 points in the first halves of their preseason games. In the second halves of preseason games, they've given up just 14 points. It’s important to remember the Chargers kept their first team offense in against the Rams backups; Philip Rivers went 6-for-6 for a touchdown them. Defenders Michael Brockers, Aaron Donald, Robert Quinn, Connor Barwin, Mark Barron and Alec Ogletree, all missed the game. Unless the team decides to play their starters in Week 4, Donald, Quinn, and Barron will not play a single down this preseason. The team continues to battle with Aaron Donald – the league’s best interior lineman – on his deserved contract extension.

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Returners: In the third preseason game, the Rams had undrafted rookie Shakeir Ryan lining up deep to field punts. Ryan is a longshot for the final roster, though, and during the regular season, that job will almost certainly fall to Tavon Austin. Meanwhile, on kickoffs, Pharoh Cooper has been tapped to reprise his role from last year.

OL: It was a rough night for the first team line in the loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Right tackle Rob Havenstein was victimized by defensive end Joey Bosa, who stripped sacked the quarterback. The right side, in general, was a problem in pass protection. Right guard Jamon Brown gave up several free rushers on the night. There are no obvious moves to make at this point; the team just needs to hope that the players on the roster settle into their roles. The Rams appear solid on the left side and shaky on the right, which makes forecasting the overall strength of the unit difficult.

Rams Depth ChartQB: Jared Goff, Sean Mannion, Dan OrlovskyRB: Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown, Justin Davis, Aaron Green, Brandon Wegher, De′Mard Llorens, Lenard Tillery, Lance Dunbar (inj)FB: Sam Rogers, Zach LaskeyWR: Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Tavon Austin (PR) (inj), Josh Reynolds, Pharoh Cooper, Bradley Marquez, Michael Thomas (susp), Nelson Spruce, Paul McRoberts, Brandon Shippen, KD Cannon, Shakeir RyanTE: Tyler Higbee, Gerald Everett, Corey Harkey (FB), Bryce Williams, Johnny Mundt, Temarrick Hemingway (inj)LT: Andrew Whitworth, Pace MurphyLG: Rodger SaffoldC: John Sullivan, Demetrius RhaneyRG: Jamon Brown, Cody WichmannRT: Rob Havenstein, Andrew DonnalK: Greg ZuerleinNT: Michael Brockers, Mike Purcell, Omarius BryantDE: Aaron Donald, Ethan Westbrooks, Louis Trinca-Pasat, Tanzel Smart, Matt Longacre, Tyrunn Walker, Casanova McKinzy, Cashaud Lyons, Casey Sayles, A.J. Jefferson, Dominique Easley (IR)ILB: Alec Ogletree, Mark Barron (W), Cory Littleton, Bryce Hager, Josh Forrest, Nic Grigsby, Reggie Northrup, Kevin DavisOLB: Robert Quinn, Connor Barwin, Samson Ebukam, Ejuan Price, Morgan Fox, Teidrick SmithCB: Trumaine Johnson, Kayvon Webster, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Marqui Christian, Blake Countess, Troy Hill (susp), Kevin Peterson, Michael JordanS: Lamarcus Joyner (FS/CB), Maurice Alexander (SS), Cody Davis (FS), John Johnson, Isaiah Johnson, Jerome Couplin, Brian Randolph

Coaches:Head Coach: Sean McVay, Off Coord: Matt LaFleur, QB Coach: Greg Olson, RB Coach: Skip Peete, WR Coach: Eric Yarber, TE Coach: Shane Waldron, OL Coach: Aaron Kromer, SpecTm Coach: John Fassel, Def Coord: Wade Philips, DL Coach: Bill Johnson, DB Coach: Aubrey Pleasant, DB Coach: Ejiro Evero

Miami Dolphins

QB: The rapid transition from Ryan Tannehill to Jay Cutler has been surprisingly smooth. Cutler was in full control of the offense in a 38-31 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and already looks regular-season ready. He completed 5-of-8 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown. More importantly, he led three touchdown drives in less than a half of play. “I thought that was a step in the right direction. Last week, he was kind of still feeling his way out and tonight he looked more comfortable,” said head coach Adam Gase. Cutler’s crash course of learning the offense was aided by joint practices with the Eagles. “I think (this week of practice) sped up things a little bit, because you got some more game-like situations and practicing against (the Eagles), so I think I was able to speed up my clock.”

RB: Jay Ajayi was fantastic against the Eagles and is poised for another big season. He ran for 53 yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries. His combination of speed, power, and toughness make him a great fit as a lead back. According to right tackle Ja’Wuan James, Ajayi is already in regular season form. “Jay is running like its midseason right now, and that’s a credit to him and him being able to break tackles and do what he does. It’s our job to get him to that second level, and we believe if we can get him to those linebackers, he’ll make anybody miss.”

WR: In the Week 3 dress rehearsal, DeVante Parker made a spectacular 72-yard catch on a deep ball from Cutler. “He likes to throw it deep whenever he has the chance,” Parker said of Cutler. “He likes tall receivers and likes guys who can go up and get the ball.” It’s clear that Cutler seems more than willing to throw it up towards Parker and let him try to make a play. “I feel like during practice that (Cutler) just wanted to launch it up one time and see what happens and he did and I came down with it,” Parker said. “Hopefully I can continue this connection with him.” Parker looks like the Miami receiver to target in fantasy drafts. Jarvis Landry has been slower to establish a connection with Cutler. While there are rumors that the Dolphins would consider trade offers for Landry, the notion seems far-fetched this close to the season and has been shut down by the Dolphins. For a team that views itself as a contender, trading

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Landry now makes little sense. However, the vibe continues to be that the Dolphins may be willing to let Landry test the free agency market next spring if Parker establishes himself as a true #1 receiver this season. Kenny Stills remains locked in as the third receiver and has also developed an excellent rapport on deep balls with Cutler. “We just know at any point in time, he’s going to feed the ball to anybody, so get down the field and get open and we know he can get it to us,” said Stills. The Dolphins will use a base three receiver set, so Stills will play starter-level snaps and could be another beneficiary of Cutler’s more aggressive approach.

TE: Julius Thomas caught a short touchdown from Cutler against the Eagles. While Thomas might not see a lot of targets this season, there is potential for him to play a significant role in the red zone.

Defense: Former Eagle Byron Maxwell was victimized for a long touchdown by current Eagle Torrey Smith. The coaching staff may be losing patience with Maxwell, with Gase noting that “all options are up” at the cornerback position in trying to get the pass defense fixed. Alterraun Verner may be elevated into the starting lineup in Maxwell’s place. “(Verner) knows what to do. He has been a pro since the day he has got here,” Gase said. Rey Maualuga was recently signed and may immediately take over at middle linebacker. The heat and humidity of Miami have taken some getting used to for Maualuga who hopes to make his Dolphins debut in the regular season finale. “I just don’t want to show up to the first game and just get thrown in there or whatnot,” said Maualuga. “The goal is to get some reps in Minnesota and see how things go from there. But at the end of the day, it’s not my decision. I’m going to leave it up to Coach and see what he decides.”

Returners: Jakeem Grant and Kenyan Drake are locked in as the top returners, which makes a group of talented undrafted rookies competing for tryouts with other returner-needy teams after roster cut-down day.

OL: Center Mike Pouncey and right tackle Ja’Wuan James made their preseason debuts in the preseason loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Tailback Jay Ajayi praised Pouncey, stating that having him back in the lineup “changes everything.” Certainly, that statement was true of the rushing attack, but the pass protection could have been better. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil was beaten by defensive end Vinny Curry for a strip sack of quarterback Jay Cutler. The team reached an injury settlement with backup Kraig Urbik this weekend, which means the team has confidence in either Anthony Steen or converted defensive tackle Jesse Davis at the starting left guard. Overall, the Dolphins’ offensive line grades out as a lower-tier unit, but they are trending upward with the return of Pouncey and James.

Dolphins Depth ChartQB: Jay Cutler, Matt Moore, David Fales, Brandon Doughty, Ryan Tannehill (IR)RB: Jay Ajayi, Damien Williams (3RB), Kenyan Drake (KR), Storm Johnson, De′Veon Smith, Senorise PerryWR: Jarvis Landry (PR), DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills, Leonte Carroo, Jakeem Grant (KR/PR), Damore′ea Stringfellow, Rashawn Scott (inj), Jordan Westerkamp, Francis Owusu, Malcolm Lewis, Drew Morgan, Isaiah Ford (IR)TE: Julius Thomas, Anthony Fasano, Thomas Duarte, Chris Pantale, MarQueis GrayLT: Laremy Tunsil, Terry PooleLG: Anthony Steen, Kraig Urbik, Isaac AsiataC: Mike Pouncey, Ted Larsen (IR)RG: Jermon BushrodRT: JaWuan James, Sam YoungK: Andrew FranksDT: Ndamukong Suh, Davon Godchaux, Jordan Phillips, Nick Williams, Vincent TaylorDE: William Hayes, Cameron Wake, Andre Branch, Charles Harris, Terrence Fede, Julius WarmsleyMLB: Rey Maualuga, Mike Hull, Raekwon McMillan (IR)OLB: Kiko Alonso (W), Lawrence Timmons (S/M), Neville Hewitt, Trevor Reilly, Lamin Barrow, Brandon Watts, Deon Lacey, Koa Misi (IR)CB: Xavien Howard, Byron Maxwell, Cordrea Tankersley, Bobby McCain, Alterraun Verner, Jordan Lucas, Walt Aikens, Lafayette Pitts, Daniel Davie, Tony Lippett (IR)S: Reshad Jones (SS), T.J. McDonald (SS) (susp), Nate Allen (FS), Michael Thomas (SS), A.J. HendyCoaches:Head Coach: Adam Gase, Off Coord: Clyde Christensen, QB Coach: Bo Hardegree, RB Coach: Danny Barrett, WR Coach: Shawn Jefferson, TE Coach: Shane Day, OL Coach: Chris Foerster, SpecTm Coach: Darren Rizzi, Def Coord: Matt Burke, DL Coach: Terrell Williams, LB Coach: Frank Bush, DB Coach: Lou Anarumo

Minnesota Vikings

QB: Sam Bradford completed 17-of-21 passes for 134 yards against the 49ers. Bradford’s one drawback has been the lack of big plays downfield; which is nothing new in his career. Case Keenum continues to hold down the backup spot and played well versus San Francisco. He was 10-for-14 for 139 yards with two touchdowns and showed some mobility by escaping pass rushers. Third-stringer Taylor Heinicke also had a strong

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performance making plays with his arm and legs on the final drive of the game. Heinicke only played 2:44 minutes at the end of the game, but threw for 73 yards and a 2-point conversion.

RB: Jerick McKinnon was the name to know on Sunday night as he took a kickoff return 108 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. He also ran seven times for 27 yards and caught four receptions for another 31 yards. Latavius Murray made his Vikings debut against the 49ers. “I just needed to get healthy,” Murray said. “Now that I’m healthy and out there practicing with them, I’m starting to feel where I should be.” Head coach Mike Zimmer praised the veteran free agent, “I think he’s done a nice job in protections, he’s been running with his pads low. I think he’s done a nice job in finding the seams and holes. He’s looking good, catching the ball well.” Murray finished the game with two carries for six yards, and he also caught two passes for 10 yards. With Dalvin Cook atop the depth chart, Murray is well aware that he needs to bring his short-yardage prowess to the table. “Obviously I can do short yardage, I can score in the red zone, goal-line situations, pass-protect,” Murray said. “For me, I’m always looking to improve my game and show the volume of my game. I want to catch the ball out of the backfield and maybe show my route-running ability. I just want to be involved, really, just do the most. That shows how valuable you can be as a player.” Meanwhile, Cook continues to be everything the Vikings hoped for, as he is doing well in pass protection on top of his obvious talent with the ball in his hands. “He’s really good in protection, which I think is key for him to be able to be out there first, second, and third down,” Bradford said. “I think that has been what’s allowed him to step out there and be successful.”

WR: Adam Thielen caught all five of his targets for 50 yards on Sunday night. He looks to be a big part of this offense once again this year and remains undervalued in the fantasy community. “This year he’s playing a little bit more in the slot,” Sam Bradford said. “So we’re trying to develop that chemistry with some of those routes on the inside, spending a little bit of extra time in OTAs just getting the feel for how he sees things from the slot.” Laquon Treadwell finally saw game action and caught all three of his targets for 36 yards against the 49ers. Stefon Diggs had five targets and caught just two of them for six yards, but remains the #1 target. Seventh-round draft pick Stacy Coley continued an impressive preseason and now has nine receptions for 160 yards through three games. He looks to lock up a roster spot in the final preseason game. Coley is competing with fellow rookie Rodney Adams and Michael Floyd, who is suspended for the first four games. Rodney Adams himself is also having an excellent preseason; he now has two touchdowns in three preseason games.

TE: Kyle Rudolph sat out versus the 49ers and is nursing a leg injury. He’s expected to be healthy for the season opener.

Defense: The defense as a whole struggled early against the 49ers on Sunday. “There were a lot of mental errors on the field,” Everson Griffen said. “We just need to correct it. Thank God it’s preseason.” Ben Gedeon got the call at weakside linebacker and is in line to start the regular season opener. Gedeon has been battling with Edmond Robinson and Emmanuel Lamur for the position which was previously occupied by Chad Greenway. Robinson may be losing the competition against Gedeon, but he’s also playing well. He recorded four tackles in the win over the 49ers.

Returners: All offseason, the Vikings have been set at punt returner with Markus Sherels, and the question has been “who will return kickoffs?” On Sunday, running back Jerrick McKinnon dramatically advanced his case with a 108-yard touchdown.

OL: The first team offensive line had a sporadic night against the San Francisco 49ers. The line was successful run-blocking, particularly on power sweep plays to the left behind Alex Boone. Unfortunately, the pass protection was a problem. Right tackle Mike Remmers (and the tight end) were confused by a stunt, and they allowed the first sack of quarterback Sam Bradford. Remmers allowed the second sack to Elvis Dumervil. Remmers was also called for an illegal formation penalty. The line has not developed chemistry this offseason, and they are allowing far too many hits on the historically fragile Bradford. The Vikings’ line remains a lower-tier option.

Vikings Depth ChartQB: Sam Bradford, Case Keenum, Teddy Bridgewater (inj), Taylor HeinickeRB: Dalvin Cook, Latavius Murray (inj), Jerick McKinnon, C.J. Ham, Terrell Newby, Bishop Sankey (IR)WR: Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Laquon Treadwell, Michael Floyd, Jarius Wright, Moritz Bohringer, Stacy Coley, Rodney Adams (KR), Isaac Freuchte, Cayleb Jones, Mitch Mathews, R.J. SheltonTE: Kyle Rudolph, Bucky Hodges, David Morgan, Kyle Carter, Nick Truesdell, Josiah PriceLT: Riley Reiff, T.J. ClemmingsLG: Alex Boone, Zac KerinC: Nick Easton, Pat ElfleinRG: Joe Berger, Willie Beavers, Danny Isidora, Reid FragelRT: Mike Remmers, Jeremiah SirlesK: Kai Forbath, Marshall KoehnDT: Shamar Stephen, Linval Joseph (NT), Sharrif Floyd (inj), Jaleel Johnson, Tom Johnson, Toby

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Johnson, Dylan BradleyDE: Everson Griffen, Danielle Hunter, Brian Robison, Datone Jones, Ifeadi Odenigbo, Stephen Weatherly, Tashawn Bower, Caleb Kidder, Sam McCaskillMLB: Eric Kendricks, Kentrell BrothersOLB: Anthony Barr (S), Ben Gedeon (W/M), Emmanuel Lamur (W/M), Edmond Robinson (S), Elijah Lee, Eric WilsonCB: Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander, Terence Newman, Marcus Sherels (PR), Jack Tocho, Jabari Price, Tre Roberson, Terrell Sinkfield, Horace RichardsonS: Harrison Smith (FS), Andrew Sendejo, Anthony Harris (FS), Antone Exum (FS), Jayron KearseCoaches:Head Coach: Mike Zimmer, Off Coord: Pat Shurmur, QB Coach: Kevin Stefanski, RB Coach: Kennedy Pola, WR Coach: Darrell Hazell, TE Coach: Clancy Barone, OL Coach: Tony Sparano, SpecTm Coach: Mike Priefer, Def Coord: George Edwards, DL Coach: Andre Patterson, LB Coach: Adam Zimmer, DB Coach: Jerry Gray

New England Patriots

QB: Tom Brady will miss Julian Edelman, but not overwhelmingly; he retains plenty of pass-catching options. Brady was his usual self (aka, elite) against the Lions in the Week Three dress rehearsal. The future Hall of Famer led four first-quarter scoring drives while completing 12-of-15 passes and two touchdowns. Jimmy Garoppolo finished out the game in forgettable fashion; he completed 7-of-12 passes for 83 yards but didn’t find the end zone.

RB: Mike Gillislee returned to action against Detroit, racking up 38 yards and a goal-line touchdown on eight rushes, but we can’t lose sight of the context. His play was uneven – 27 of those yards came on one rush – and he entered the game only after Dion Lewis and James White came out. Rex Burkhead – who’s looking more and more like an all-purpose back – didn’t play. It’s hard to draw a bead on Gillislee’s current standing, and the running backs roles may vary from game to game, based on the appropriate game script. Bill Belichick praised Gillislee’s return to practice, but we found out this week how little Belichick’s praise means after Kony Ealy was released. The real wrench in Gillislee’s outlook may be Lewis, who played fifteen snaps with the first and second units on Friday but didn’t see much volume.

WR: With Edelman out for the season, the pecking order looks a bit clearer. Brandin Cooks and Chris Hogan are

understandably the biggest beneficiaries but don’t forget about Danny Amendola. He fits Edelman’s skill set, running underneath routes and catching virtually everything thrown his way. Amendola drew 11 targets in the Super Bowl and accounted for 17% of the team’s targets in Edelman’s stead in the second half of 2015. Edelman’s injury (and Amendola’s fragility) could also create a roster spot for undrafted rookie Austin Carr, who has caught 11 of 16 passes and a touchdown in the preseason. As for Hogan, it’s safe to expect a sizeable bump in playing time – and Friday night gave us a glimpse of what that could entail. Hogan caught two touchdowns from Brady and drew another end-zone look before the two exited with the other starters. He’s locked into the starting job opposite Cooks. Cooks – already a fantasy WR1 – has a much safer floor now that Edelman’s 150 targets are up for grabs.

TE: Rob Gronkowski suited up again for the Lions game, playing 33 snaps – a rarity, considering he hadn’t seen any preseason action since 2012. Gronkowski is fully healthy and committing himself to a new fitness regimen. His outlook hasn’t been this robust in quite some time. Dwayne Allen is set as the #2, while James O’Shaughnessy also looks like a roster lock.

Defense: The team cut loose wild-card defensive end Kony Ealy, for whom they traded for back in March. Ealy possesses dynamic talent, which we saw on full display in Super Bowl L, but had spent much of training camp in Belichick’s doghouse. The failed experiment leaves New England vulnerable on the edge, where they’ll be required to get creative – or perhaps swing a trade. Ex-Jet David Harris is still trying to nail down a starting job; he led the defense against Detroit, but it’s worth noting that both Don’t’a Hightower, and Shea McClellin sat out. Harris, who’s never been dynamic in pass coverage, should see substantial time on run downs. Malcolm Butler hiccupped for the second straight week, allowing another downfield touchdown on a mental miscue. With new addition Stephon Gilmore now lining up opposite Butler, quarterbacks could target Butler much more often than we’ve seen in recent years.

Returners: While it's been years since Julian Edelman was used lightly enough on offense for New England to risk him as their top punt returner, he still possesses one of the top 10 punt return averages in NFL history, and the Patriots love to let him go deep and field around a dozen punts a year. With Edelman lost for the season with a torn ACL, those dozen punts will likely go to Cyrus Jones, instead.

OL: Left tackle Nate Solder missed the preseason win over the Detroit Lions with an undisclosed injury. Solder has been spotted at practice but has not played in a preseason game this summer. In his place, Cameron Fleming got the start. The line protected well on the first

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two drives, but Fleming and left guard Joe Thuney allowed hits on quarterback Tom Brady in subsequent drives. The right side of Shaq Mason and Marcus Cannon are developing chemistry in the hurry-up rushing attack. Assuming Solder rejoins the lineup before Week One, the Patriots’ line could be among the better in the league.

Patriots Depth ChartQB: Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo, Jacoby BrissettRB: Dion Lewis, Mike Gillislee (SD), Rex Burkhead, James White (3RB), Brandon Bolden, D.J. Foster, LeShun Daniels Jr.FB: James Develin, Glenn GronkowskiWR: Brandin Cooks, Chris Hogan, Danny Amendola (PR), Malcolm Mitchell, Matt Slater, Austin Carr, Devin Lucien, Cody Hollister, K.J. Maye, Julian Edelman (IR)TE: Rob Gronkowski, Dwayne Allen, Matt Lengel, James O′Shaughnessy, Jacob Hollister, Sam CottonLT: Nate Solder, Tony Garcia, LaAdrian WaddleLG: Joe Thuney, Ted KarrasC: David Andrews, James FerentzRG: Shaq MasonRT: Marcus Cannon, Cameron Fleming, Conor McDermottK: Stephen GostkowskiDT: Malcom Brown, Alan Branch, Vincent Valentine, Lawrence Guy, Woodrow Hamilton, Josh Augusta, Darius KilgoDE: Trey Flowers, Deatrich Wise, Geneo Grissom, Derek Rivers (IR)MLB: Dont′a Hightower, David Harris, Trevor Bates, Harvey Langi, Brooks EllisOLB: Shea McClellin (S), Kyle Van Noy (W), Elandon Roberts (W), Marquis Flowers, Jonathan FreenyCB: Malcolm Butler, Stephon Gilmore, Eric Rowe, Justin Coleman, Cyrus Jones (KR/PR), Jonathan JonesS: Devin McCourty (FS/CB), Patrick Chung (SS), Duron Harmon (SS), Nate Ebner (FS), Jordan Richards (SS), Brandon King (FS), David JonesCoaches:Head Coach: Bill Belichick, Off Coord: Josh McDaniels, RB Coach: Ivan Fears, WR Coach: Chad Oshea, TE Coach: Nick Caley, OL Coach: Dante Scarnecchia, SpecTm Coach: Joe Judge, Def Coord: Matt Patricia, DL Coach: Brendan Daly, LB Coach: Brian Flores, DB Coach: Steve Belichick

New Orleans Saints

QB: Drew Brees played decisively in his preseason debut. Although Brees completed 11-of-15 attempts, he

only had 76 yards. The game script called for shorter passes, although Brees did attempt (and fail) to connect with Ted Ginn downfield. Chase Daniel entered the game with less than two minutes remaining in the first half and played well into the second half. He completed 9-of-12 passes for 108 yards. Daniel led the Saints on their only touchdown drive of the game, going 84 yards in 10 plays, including a deep completion to Brandon Coleman for 31 yards and another deep pass to TommyLee Lewis for 24 yards. Garrett Grayson entered the game late in the 3rd quarter and completed 2-of-6 passes for 35 yards. Ryan Nassib played the last two series and did not throw a pass. The depth chart remains unchanged with Chase Daniel as Drew Brees’ primary and perhaps only backup. If the Saints keep three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, the third should be Garrett Grayson, but both Grayson and Ryan Nassib could be destined for the practice squad or waivers.

RB: Mark Ingram made his preseason debut and got the start. He ran hard, but his line didn’t do him many favors. The veteran gained nine yards on four carries, and Ingram caught two passes for 11 yards. One of Ingram’s receptions was as a slot receiver in an empty backfield set. Adrian Peterson also saw his first preseason snaps. The holes were not there, and Peterson looked a little slow, gaining only 15 yards on six carries. He had one reception on a screen pass but lost a yard. One key point was that Ingram replaced Peterson several times in obvious passing situations. While Ingram and Peterson saw their first snaps of the preseason, Alvin Kamara, who had a starring role in last week’s game, did not play at all. Coach Payton indicated that he gave Kamara the day off.

WR: Michael Thomas continued his dominant play, seemingly getting open on every route that he ran. He caught four passes on four targets from Brees, gaining only 27 yards, but converting two first downs. His only incompletion was on a pass from Daniel. Ted Ginn, Jr. kicked off the offense with a bang. He took a back-field handoff on the first offensive play and headed around the left end, only to cut back across the grain for an impressive 24-yard gain. He displayed both speed and shiftiness escaping defenders. Ginn also had three receptions for 26 yards with his only miss on the deep target from Brees. Willie Snead had only two targets with one catch for a 4-yard gain. Those three should continue to see the majority of the targets. Brandon Coleman led the Saints with 44 yards on just two targets. TommyLee Lewis was targeted a team-high six times and caught three passes for 34 yards. Lewis has consistently made plays this preseason and in addition to a small role as a receiver, could help out on special teams and in the return game.

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TE: The tight ends have had a reduced role in the preseason, thus far. Coby Fleener was only targeted, late in the first half after Daniel replaced Brees. He made the catch for an 11-yard gain. Josh Hill was targeted twice by Drew Brees in the first half, but he caught his only reception from Daniel in the second half for a 14-yard gain. No other tight ends were targeted.

Defense: The defense looks improved this preseason. Coming into the third game, the unit has averaged six sacks per game (1st in the NFL), allowed only 2.7 yards per rush attempt (2nd), allowed 235 total yards per game (3rd) and allowed 13.5 points per game (6th). Shutting out the Texans did not drop those rankings much and decreased their points allowed to 9.0 per game. They produced four sacks, again averaged 2.7 yards per rush, and allowed 246 total yards. Remember, this is the preseason, so we don’t want to overreact, but the improvements show up in than just the statistics. The defense has been consistently aggressive, frequently getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Both Cameron Jordan and Sheldon Rankins on the defensive line batted down passes. The Saints linebacker play has been problematic the past few years, but the unit appears to have improved quality and depth. Manti Te’o and A. J. Klein have been consistently productive thus far. Craig Robertson did not play as much this week, but rookie Alex Anzalone was impressive in pass coverage. The defensive backs have also played well. Even though cornerback Delvin Breaux remains sidelined for up to six weeks, P. J. Williams, Ken Crawley and rookie Marshon Lattimore have been better than expected. Safety Kenny Vacarro continues to make plays all over the field.

Returners: When New Orleans signed veteran receiver Ted Ginn, the assumption was that he'd primarily serve as a return specialist and situational deep threat. During the preseason, however, Ginn's snap counts suggest he could be used as the team's second receiver over Willie Snead. While he's unlikely to cede many returns, either way, rookie running back Alvin Kamara would be a ready replacement if he did.

OL: In the preseason win over the Houston Texans, the offensive line was missing several starters. Rookie Ryan Ramzyck sat, leaving Bryce Harris to start at left tackle. Center Max Unger also missed the game, allowing Josh LeRibeus to start at the pivot. The backups struggled at times, and the offense did not look sharp. Swing tackle John Fullington also missed the game. Both Ramzyck and Unger are expected to be in the lineup for Week One. The Saints are on the cusp of a top quartile ranking if Ramzyck and Unger are healthy, but will struggle without them.

Saints Depth ChartQB: Drew Brees, Chase Daniel, Garett

Grayson, Ryan NassibRB: Mark Ingram, Adrian Peterson, Alvin Kamara, Daniel Lasco, Travaris Cadet, Trey EdmundsFB: John Kuhn, Zach LineWR: Michael Thomas, Ted Ginn (KR/PR), Willie Snead, Brandon Coleman, Tommylee Lewis (PR), Travin Dural, Jake Lampman, Corey Fuller, Ahmad Fulwood, Xavier RushTE: Coby Fleener, Josh Hill, Michael Hoomanawanui, Clay Harbor, Braedon Bowman, John Phillips (IR)LT: Khalif Barnes, Terron Armstead (PUP)LG: Andrus PeatC: Max UngerRG: Larry Warford, Senio KelemeteRT: Zach Strief, Ryan RamczykK: Wil LutzDT: Sheldon Rankins, David Onyemata, Tyeler Davison, Tony McDaniel, Ashaad Mabry, Justin Zimmer, John Hughes, Nick Fairley (res)DE: Cameron Jordan, Alex Okafor, Trey Hendrickson, Hau′oli Kikaha (S), Darryl Tapp, Obum Gwachum, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Bryan Braman, Mitchell LoewenMLB: Manti Te′o, Adam BighillOLB: A.J. Klein (S/M), Alex Anzalone (W), Craig Robertson (W/S), Stephone Anthony (W), Nathan Stupar (S), Michael Mauti (W/S), Jonathan Walton (W), Dannell Ellerbe (IR)CB: Delvin Breaux, PJ Williams, Marshon Lattimore, Sterling Moore, Ken Crawley, Damian Swann, De′Vante Harris, Arthur Maulet, Taveze Calhoun, Malik ForemanS: Kenny Vaccaro (SS), Vonn Bell (FS), Rafael Bush (SS), Marcus Williams (FS), Chris Banjo (FS), Erik Harris (SS)Coaches:Head Coach: Sean Payton, QB Coach: Joe Lombardi, RB Coach: Joel Thomas, WR Coach: Curtis Johnson, TE Coach: Dan Campbell, OL Coach: Dan Roushar, SpecTm Coach: Bradford Banta, Def Coord: Dennis Allen, DL Coach: Ryan Nielsen, LB Coach: Mike Nolan, DB Coach: Aaron Glenn

New York Giants

The Giants had several goals this preseason including keeping everyone healthy, building confidence in the offensive line, establishing Paul Perkins as the lead back, and integrating the new pieces into the receiving corps. Unfortunately, the team came out of the dress rehearsal versus the Jets with mixed marks on most of those fronts.

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QB: Eli Manning didn’t play well against the Jets, completing just 7-of-14 passes for 121 yards (8.6 per attempt) and an ugly interception near the end zone. The veteran signal caller was nonplussed about the rocky performance and took an optimistic bent. “I thought the offense did a good job,” Manning said. “We moved the ball. Every time we had a possession, we got some first downs and got into their territory. I’ve got to do a better job with the interception and not throw that pass. I have to realize the pressure and throw it away or take the sack. But besides that, I thought the offense made some nice plays.”

The backup competition is coming down to the lesser of two evils. Neither Josh Johnson nor Geno Smith has done enough to claim the job, and the decision will probably come down to the fourth and final preseason game. “We’re still not in a position to say who the No. 2 [quarterback] is,” head coach Ben McAdoo said. “Thursday night we’re hoping it cleans itself up.” This is an especially important competition because the loser won’t make the final roster, as the Giants will keep rookie Davis Webb as the #3.

RB: Paul Perkins needed a good game, and the second year tailback delivered. Perkins rushed six times for 33 yards (5.5 per attempt) and showed patience and vision that was lacking in prior preseason contests. This was Perkins best showing of the summer, and it likely cements his position as the starter albeit as part of a committee. Rookie Wayne Gallman shrugged off last week’s fumble and led the team with 43 yards on 12 carries (3.6 per rush) and an 11-yard reception. Orleans Darkwa converted a short-yardage touchdown and is solidifying his role as the goal-line specialist.

WR: Neither Odell Beckham nor Brandon Marshall played in the pivotal third preseason game, but both got good news this week. Beckham remains out of practice but is responding well to treatment. McAdoo expects Beckham on the field for the season opener. "Yes, absolutely," McAdoo said. "I'm hopeful he'll play." Marshall was cleared and returned to practice on Monday. Sterling Shepard caught two passes for 47 yards in a starting role. With Beckham, Marshall, Dwayne Harris, and Tavarres King all missing the Jets game, Travis Rudolph (three catches for 81 yards) and Roger Lewis (two catches for 30 yards) rose to the occasion. Neither is guaranteed a roster spot, but they are both closing the gap on their fellow backups.

TE: Evan Engram is making the “don’t draft rookie tight ends” mantra look bad based on his preseason play. One could argue he’s been the most impressive pass catcher on the roster, and he’s also shown aggressiveness in pass protection that his rookie scouting report didn’t portend. Engram caught two balls for 32 yards against the Jets and seems locked into a

significant role immediately. "Evan's a playmaker," said Eli Manning. "He did some good things. He had some nice catches and some runs after the catch. I think he's done a good job to learn the offense and find ways to get open."

Defense: The defense has elite potential, and has been far more impressive in the preseason than its offensive counterpart. No player has been better than Jason Pierre-Paul; he had a safety, a tipped pass and another sack in the first quarter against the Jets. The Giants returned not one, but two interceptions for touchdowns in the first half (thanks, Christian Hackenberg!) Landon Collins – the only defender other than Pierre-Paul with a claim to “best player in the preseason” – had the first touchdown return, followed by backup cornerback Donte Deayon. Cornerback Eli Apple missed the second preseason game with an ankle injury, and hurt his other ankle against the Jets this weekend. He’s a vital piece to a potentially dominant defense. Veteran Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie believes the Giants secondary has a chance to be special. "We have some talent back there, man. We have guys that can play multiple positions," he said. "This is the first time since my Arizona days -- we have safeties, we have corners, we have nickels, guys that can be interchangeable."

K: Mike Nugent made 50- and 54-yard field goal attempts, while Aldrick Rosas was good from 24 yards. Both kickers made their extra point attempts. The battle between Rosas and Nugent has been tight for weeks, but whoever loses the job will get a long look from other teams. Don’t be surprised to see both Nugent and Rosas kicking field goals for an NFL franchise this year.

Returners: Though the Giants likely have their return specialist already in Dwayne Harris, the team has been giving other players reps. In Week Three, it was Sterling Shephard's turn to field punts, but the talented receiver was indecisive. Harris’ role appears safe entering the final preseason game.

OL: The offensive line had a mixed night in the preseason win over the New York Jets. Right guard John Jerry gave up a hit on Eli Manning which led to an interception. After that, the coaches turned to Brett Jones at right guard, and the offense markedly improved. Jones saw first team reps in practice this week, and he seems poised to earn the job over Jerry. Left tackle Ereck Flowers was called for a false start early but settled down; a welcome sight given how awful he’s been for months. Right tackle Bobby Hart looked rugged in run blocking. The Giants offensive line is a major concern, particularly given how poorly the tackles have looked all summer.

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Giants Depth ChartQB: Eli Manning, Josh Johnson, Geno Smith, Davis Webb, Keith WenningRB: Paul Perkins, Shane Vereen (3RB), Orleans Darkwa, Wayne Gallman, Shaun Draughn, George Winn, Jacob Huesman, Daryl VirgiesFB: Nikita WhitlockWR: Odell Beckham Jr. (inj), Brandon Marshall, Sterling Shepard (KR), Roger Lewis, Travis Rudolph, Dwayne Harris (KR/PR), Tavarres King, Darius Powe, Kevin Norwood, Ben Edwards, Kevin SneadTE: Evan Engram, Matt LaCosse, Jerell Adams, Will Tye, Rhett EllisonLT: Ereck Flowers, Adam Bisnowaty, Michael BowieLG: Justin Pugh, Adam Gettis, Jon HalapioC: Weston Richburg, Brent JonesRG: John JerryRT: Bobby Hart, D.J. FlukerK: Aldrick Rosas, Mike NugentDT: Damon Harrison (NT), Jay Bromley, Dalvin Tomlinson, Jarron Jones, Robert ThomasDE: Olivier Vernon, Jason Pierre-Paul, Romeo Okwara, Kerry Wynn, Avery Moss, Devin Taylor, Stansly Maponga, Jordan WilliamsMLB: B.J. Goodson, Keenan Robinson, Mark HerzlichOLB: Devon Kennard (S), Jonathan Casillas (W), J.T. Thomas (S), Deontae Skinner, Calvin Munson, Curtis Grant, Jimmy HermanCB: Janoris Jenkins, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Eli Apple (inj), Antwon Blake, Donte Deayon, Michael HunterS: Landon Collins (SS), Andrew Adams (FS), Darian Thompson (FS), Nat Berhe (FS), Duke Ihenacho, Eric Pinkins, Ryan Murphy, Mykkele Thompson (IR)Coaches:Head Coach: Ben McAdoo, Off Coord: Mike Sullivan, QB Coach: Frank Cignetti, RB Coach: Craig Johnson, WR Coach: Adam Henry, TE Coach: Keith Gilbertson, OL Coach: Mike Solari, SpecTm Coach: Tom Quinn, Def Coord: Steve Spagnuolo, DL Coach: Patrick Graham, LB Coach: Bill McGovern, DB Coach: Tim Walton, DB Coach: David Merritt

New York Jets

QB: If at the end of last week’s report you thought it couldn’t get worse, we hope you’re sitting down. First, head coach Todd Bowles sat Josh McCown for most of the week, giving the first team snaps to Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty after McCown had taken most first team reps in camp. That told you that, for the second preseason game in a row, McCown was not going to play. He didn’t, and that made for a horrid first

half of Jets football that officially ended Hackenberg's bid for the starting job. Hackenberg got the start against the Giants and threw two pick-sixes and took a blindside sack. While the second interception was mostly the fault of Robby Anderson, who bobbled the ball, the first pick was a terrible pass Hackenberg has to know better than to throw. The second-year quarterback did throw a touchdown late in the game when he had to come in for an injured Bryce Petty. Petty, who was the lone bright spot of the night throwing for 250 yards and three touchdowns, left the game with a Grade-1 MCL sprain.

Predictably, Coach Bowles named Josh McCown the regular season starter on Monday. The team isn’t concerned about McCown’s lack of playing time in recent weeks. “I’m not concerned at all,” Bowles said in relation to McCown’s limited preseason workload. “I wanted to get them [Hackenberg and Petty] some reps. Josh is 37, he’s played in a lot of preseason games. I wanted to see Hack and Petty play against a good defense.”

RB: Matt Forte made his preseason debut Saturday night and quickly felt the impact of a struggling offensive line. Right tackle Brandon Shell missed a block, and Forte was tackled in the end zone for a safety. Forte had a solid game otherwise, rushing ten times for 43 yards. Several beat writers speculated the Jets were showcasing Forte for a possible trade, but for now that’s nothing more than a rumor. Bilal Powell looked sharp, and took a short 8-yard pass across the middle from Bryce Petty and turned it into an 85-yard touchdown. It’s hard to take the Forte release/trade rumors seriously considering the lack of depth on the roster. Romar Morris is going to be on special teams, or the practice squad and the same can be said about Marcus Murphy. Sixth round rookie Elijah McGuire has looked good in camp but not shown the same ability during games. Jahad Thomas can be an elusive runner and like Morris and Murphy has special teams ability.

WR: If the Jets quarterback situation most closely resembles a nuclear meltdown, the receiving corps would represent the fallout radius. It’s hard to see if there is talent at the position when the quarterbacks can’t throw the ball. Robby Anderson’s highlight was having a Christian Hackenberg pass bounce off his hands and get returned for a pick-six. Jalin Marshall had just one catch on five snaps, which was worlds better than second-year player Charone Peake, who was on the field for 24 snaps and finished the evening without any targets. NJ Advance Media’s Connor Hughes points out if Peake makes the team it will be for his special teams play because his receiving ability has evaporated. There are bright spots in rookie receivers ArDarius Stewart and Chad Hansen. Hansen played snaps with the starters and made a pair of catches for 45 yards, while Stewart caught a pair of touchdowns from Bryce Petty in the

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second half. Hansen has struggled in camp a bit while Stewart has battled nagging injuries, so it was good to see them perform well against the Giants.

TE: Austin Seferian-Jenkins played a lot (29 snaps) but didn’t see much in the way of targets, with just three on the evening, resulting in one catch for 16 yards. That’s despite the absence of rookie Jordan Leggett who was out with a foot injury. Meanwhile, journeyman Chris Gragg saw a ton of time (40 snaps, tied with ArDarius Stewart for most on offense) and finished the night with five catches for 38 yards. Nobody here looks impressive.

Defense: While it’s hard to get too excited about a solid performance against what might be one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL—and a team minus its best player in Odell Beckham Jr—the Jets had to be pleased with the starters. Sheldon Richardson stepped up, sacking Eli Manning once and continuously hurrying him throughout the first half. Leonard Williams and Mo Wilkerson were quiet, but their presence helped pave the way for Richardson. The Jets have to hope that trio plays well this season. The secondary is struggling, but Juston Burris is shining with increased playing time; he picked off Manning once.

K: Chandler Catanzaro booted a 27-yard field goal in the loss to the Giants, and both he and Ross Martin made extra points. There hasn’t been an enormous amount of separation in this kicker battle, but Martin has had two good camps in a row and appeared to have momentum early in camp. No matter who wins, this is one of the least compelling fantasy situations in the league.

Returners: Jalin Marshall is suspended for the first four games of the season. Lucky Whitehead has a broken foot. The opportunity is there for someone to step up and seize a role on special teams, but in the third preseason game, no one was up to the task. The Jets failed to advance a single kickoff past the 25-yard line and averaged 4.5 yards per punt return.

OL: The first team offensive line had a difficult night in the preseason loss to cross-stadium rival New York Giants. Second-year right tackle Brandon Shell started, but he was abused by defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul all evening, including once for a safety on Matt Forte. Shell’s primary competition for the job is Brent Qvale. Qvale didn’t distinguish himself either, leaving the possibility that Ben Ijalana could factor into the right tackle job. Left guard James Carpenter recorded an unnecessary roughness penalty. Overall the Jets’ offensive line remains a lower-tier option.

Jets Depth ChartQB: Josh McCown, Christian Hackenberg, Bryce Petty (inj)

RB: Bilal Powell, Matt Forte, Elijah McGuire (PR), Marcus Murphy, Romar Morris, Jahad ThomasFB: Anthony Firkser, Julian Howsare, Algernon BrownWR: Robby Anderson, ArDarius Stewart, Charone Peake, Chad Hansen, Jalin Marshall (KR/PR) (susp), Frankie Hammond (PR), Chris Harper, Gabe Marks, Myles White, Kenbrell Thompkins, Lucky Whitehead (inj), Quincy Enunwa (IR), Devin Smith (IR)TE: Austin Seferian-Jenkins (susp), Brandon Bostick, Jordan Leggett, Eric Tomlinson, Jordan Vander Laan, Chris Gragg, Brandon BarnesLT: Kelvin BeachumLG: James Carpenter, Dakota DozierC: Wesley Johnson, Jonotthan HarrisonRG: Brian WintersRT: Brent Qvale, Ben Ijalana, Brandon ShellK: Chandler CatanzaroDT: Anthony Johnson, Mike Pennel, Steve McLendon, Deon Simon, Devon StillDE: Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Leonard Williams, Lawrence Thomas, Kony Ealy, Julien Obioha, Claude PelonMLB: Demario Davis, Erin Henderson, Bruce Carter, Austin Calitro, Randell Johnson, Connor HarrisOLB: Jordan Jenkins, Darron Lee, Dylan Donahue, Mike Catapano, Julian Stanford, Josh Martin, Freddie Bishop, Lorenzo MauldinCB: Buster Skrine, Morris Claiborne, Marcus Williams, Juston Burris, Darryl Roberts, Jeremy Clark, Derrick Jones, Bryson KeetonS: Jamal Adams (SS), Marcus Maye, Rontez Miles, Shamarko Thomas, Terrence Brooks, Doug Middleton (IR)Coaches:Head Coach: Todd Bowles, Off Coord: John Morton, QB Coach: Jeremy Bates, RB Coach: Stump Mitchell, WR Coach: Karl Dorrell, TE Coach: Jim Johnson, OL Coach: Steven Marshall, SpecTm Coach: Brant Boyer, Def Coord: Kacy Rodgers, DL Coach: Robert Nunn, LB Coach: Kevin Greene, LB Coach: Mike Caldwell, DB Coach: Daylon McCutcheon, DB Coach: Dennard Wilson

Oakland Raiders

QB: David Carr played most of the first half against the Cowboys, and looked sharp. Carr completed 13-of-17 passes for 144 yards (8.5 per attempt) with two touchdowns. The highlight of the night was a perfectly thrown deep ball to Amari Cooper after a pump fake to freeze the safety. Carr has thrown four touchdowns and completed 20-of-26 attempts so far in the preseason, posting a passer rating of 128.9. Following a strong 2016

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season, Carr and the Oakland offense could take another step forward this season. The battle for the backup spot between EJ Manuel and Connor Cook will be the decided by their performances in the final preseason game. Manuel had a clear lead early in camp and maintained the lead after the opening preseason game. He’s struggled mightily in the last two games and has reopened the conversation for Cook. Manuel is just 5-of-13 for 24 yards over that span. Cook hasn’t been great either but has outplayed Manuel may now have the upper hand heading into the preseason finale.

RB: Marshawn Lynch started and played nine snaps in his second preseason appearance. He looks to be in excellent shape and was finishing his runs with authority. Lynch is locked and loaded as the lead back and primary red zone runner for what should be a high-scoring Raiders offense. If he can stay healthy, he is a good bet for solid fantasy production. His hard-charging style looks like a perfect fit for the Raiders massive offense line. The question for fantasy owners will be how much upside Lynch has in what will likely be a three-man committee for the second straight season. Latavius Murray had 48% of the running back touches in 2016, while DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard each handled almost 25% of the touches. Washington and Richard looked explosive, and both made big plays with the first team against the Cowboys. The duo is probably going to combine for at least 40% of the running back touches again.

WR: Amari Cooper is poised for a breakout third season. He was Carr’s top target again against Dallas. Cooper blew past a cornerback and hauled in a 48-yard touchdown reception. His burst and quickness are remarkable for a player that now weighs 215 pounds. Michael Crabtree will remain the other go-to receiver. Cordarrelle Patterson had an extended audition with the first-team offense against the Cowboys. He played well, with four catches for 30 yards and a touchdown. Patterson is battling Seth Roberts for playing time behind the two starters. Patterson and Roberts may end up splitting time, which makes both fantasy non-factors barring injuries to the starters. The Raiders signed Roberts to a 2-year extension on Wednesday, signaling his importance.

TE: Jared Cook caught two passes from Carr and is the clear top tight end in Oakland. Lee Smith sits atop the depth chart, but that’s purely in recognition of his vital role as a sixth offensive lineman. Clive Walford may not have done enough to keep his roster spot against a crowded set of younger competitors.

Defense: Top cornerback David Amerson suffered a concussion Saturday night. It is his second in 11 months and may put his Week One availability in question. Second-round rookie Obi Melifonwu made his debut on

Saturday and played extensively. He didn’t make any splash plays, but physically looks the part of an athletic, hybrid safety. Gareon Conley should make his Raiders debut in the final preseason game, as he is “coming along” in his return from a shin injury.

Returners: Cordarrelle Patterson hadn't returned a kickoff in the first two preseason games as the Raiders opted to evaluate some less-experienced options. Patterson finally got his chance against the Cowboys and was a bit rusty. Regardless, Patterson has the 2nd-highest return average in league history (behind Gayle Sayers) and will have plenty of opportunities to break a long one in 2017.

OL: Left tackle Donald Penn ended his hold-out and rejoined the team in time to play against the Dallas Cowboys. Penn didn’t start, but he looked good in limited snaps. The line play was strong with Penn back in the lineup, both in run-blocking and protecting the pocket for Derek Carr. With Penn back, Marshall Newhouse moved back to right tackle, forcing Vadal Alexander back to the bench. The Raiders’ offensive line is one of the better units in the NFL with Penn back.

Raiders Depth ChartQB: Derek Carr, Connor Cook, EJ ManuelRB: Marshawn Lynch, Deandre Washington, Jalen Richard (PR), Elijah Hood (FB), John Crockett, George AtkinsonFB: Jamize OlawaleWR: Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree, Seth Roberts, Cordarrelle Patterson, Johnny Holton, Ishmael Zamora, Jaydon Mickens, Keon Hatcher, K.J. Brent, Isaac WhitneyTE: Jared Cook, Clive Walford, Lee Smith, Gabe Holmes, Cooper Helfet, Ryan O′MalleyLT: Donald Penn, David Sharpe, Denver KirklandLG: Kelechi Osemele, Jon FelicianoC: Rodney HudsonRG: Gabe Jackson, Ian SilbermanRT: Marshall Newhouse, Vadal Alexander, Jylan WareK: Sebastian Janikowski, Giorgio TavecchioNT: Justin Ellis (NT), Eddie Vanderdoes (DT/DE), Darius Latham, Treyvon Hester, Demetrius CherryDE: Kahlil Mack, Jihad Ward, Denico Autry, Mario Edwards Jr., Fadol Brown, Branden Jackson, Jimmy BeanILB: Marquell Lee (M), Cory James (W), Jelani Jenkins, Ben Heeney, Tyrell AdamsOLB: Bruce Irvin (S/DE), Shilique Calhoun, James Cowser (S/DE), Neiron Ball, Brady Shelton, IK Enemkpali, Aldon Smith (susp)CB: David Amerson, Sean Smith, Gareon Conley, TJ Carrie (FS/PR), Dexter McDonald, Antonio Hamilton, SaQwan EdwardsS: Karl Joseph (SS), Reggie Nelson (FS), Obi

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Melifonwu (FS/ILB), Shalom Luani, Mitchell White, Keith McGill (inj)Coaches:Head Coach: Jack Del Rio, Off Coord: Todd Downing, QB Coach: Jake Peetz, RB Coach: Bernie Parmalee, WR Coach: Rob Moore, TE Coach: Bobby Johnson, OL Coach: Mike Tice, SpecTm Coach: Brad Seely, Def Coord: Ken Norton, DL Coach: Jethro Franklin, LB Coach: Sal Sunseri, DB Coach: Rod Woodson, DB Coach: Brent Vieselmeyer

Philadelphia Eagles

QB: Carson Wentz was supposed to play at least the entire first half against Miami, but was pulled early after another strong performance. Wentz completed 6-of-10 passes for 129 yards (12.9 per attempt) and two touchdowns along with an interception (that was a tipped ball). Wentz found both Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith for scores in the first time all three have been on the field together this preseason. "I feel good. I feel confident. I’m thankful for the most part that everyone’s pretty healthy too so I think this offense tonight was a really good showing for us," Wentz said. "And like I said the interception was unfortunate but we moved the ball well and for the starters it’s exciting to start getting ready for Washington."

Nick Foles returned to practice in mid-August after sitting with a sore elbow, only to return to the sidelines a day later. He’s essentially been a no-show this summer, and his absence is a concern even if neither he nor head coach Doug Pederson acknowledges the problem. "[The elbow] just got a little sore on him, so I just didn't want to push him," Pederson said. "Again, the more rest that you can get on that elbow, the better." Matt McGloin had his best preseason performance against the Dolphins. He completed 22-of-26 (85% completion rate) passes for 155 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The Eagles would prefer not to keep three quarterbacks, but Foles’ elbow may force their hand.

RB: LeGarrette Blount got the first carry of the game, but he shared first team snaps with Wendell Smallwood. Blount ended his night with 19 yards on four carries (4.8 per rush) including a 16-yard scamper on the second touchdown drive. Wendell Smallwood was better. He gained 28 yards on four carries (7.0 per attempt) and declared himself caught up after missing the first two preseason games with a sore hamstring. "I stayed dialed-in the whole time I was hurt, as far as the game plan and playbook. So I don't think I fell behind at all,” he said. “Missing those game reps was tough, I needed those. I think it was good for me to get out there tonight and show what I could do.” The starting role is up for

grabs, as are the backup roles. Undrafted rookie Corey Clement has handily outplayed 4th round rookie Donnell Pumphrey, but Clement may still face an uphill battle making the 53-man roster. The Eagles would be justified in releasing Pumphrey over Clement, but their relative contractual obligations could force the team to stick with the diminutive scatback over the more impressive Clement.

WR: Torrey Smith is a vertical threat, and that’s exactly how he was utilized against the Dolphins when he got over the top for a 50-yard touchdown. Alshon Jeffery is finally healthy and looked comfortable in his new role in spite of limited practice reps. The new #1 caught two passes for 35 yards including a 15-yard touchdown on a quick slant. Rookie Mack Hollins shook off a quiet performance last week and had a team-high five receptions for 44 yards in backup duty. Nelson Agholor has been quiet after a strong start to the summer.

TE: At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Zach Ertz is the best player on the offensive roster and will be Wentz’ top producer if healthy. Ertz converted all three of his targets for 44 yards (14.7 per catch) against the Dolphins. Trey Burton looked sharp, too, catching four of five targets for 43 yards (10.8 per catch).

Defense: The defense was at its best and worst versus Miami, in what’s a fair portrayal of what to expect in the regular season. The bad news is the secondary got torched at times. Ronald Darby’s honeymoon in Philadelphia is officially over as gave up several big plays including a 72-yard reception to DeVante Parker. Darby also committed pass interference against Kenny Stills. The good news is the front seven generated continued pressure on the Dolphins’ quarterbacks (six hurries, two sacks) that led to three interceptions and a defensive touchdown. Linebacker Mychal Kendricks had an interception and the touchdown return and has played like a man possessed throughout the preseason. It’s quite a turnaround for the veteran who was on the trading block a few weeks ago. Rookie Derek Barnett couldn’t match his dominant performances from Weeks One and Two, but Vinny Curry picked up the slack (two tackles and a sack).

Returners: Groomed to be the eventual replacement for the ageless Darren Sproles, Donnell Pumphrey has continued to struggle, fumbling for a second time this preseason in the Eagles' third game. Pumphrey – who didn't return kicks in college – said, “I’m still getting comfortable with punt returns. I still have a lot to progress on.” Pumphrey has one more preseason game to prove his worth on special teams because he’s been soundly outplayed on offense by Corey Clement.

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OL: The preseason win over the Miami Dolphins marked the first time that all five offensive line starters played together this preseason. Center Jason Kelce characterized the performance as “good but sloppy, ” and that was an accurate assessment. The “good” was seen when Jason Peters and Isaac Seumalo handled a complex blitz pickup flawlessly. The “bad” was the multiple hits on quarterback Carson Wentz. Brandon Brooks gave up pressure while Kelce had trouble reaching the back side blitz. In spite of the rusty performance this week, the Eagles line projects as one of the NFC’s best thanks to premier tackle play

Eagles Depth ChartQB: Carson Wentz, Nick Foles, Matt McGloin, Dane EvansRB: LeGarrette Blount (SD), Darren Sproles (3RB/KR/PR), Wendell Smallwood, Corey Clement, Donnel Pumphrey (3RB/KR/PR), Byron MarshallWR: Alshon Jeffery, Torrey Smith, Nelson Agholor, Mack Hollins, Paul Turner (inj), Bryce Treggs, Marcus Johnson, Shelton Gibson, Greg Ward Jr.TE: Zach Ertz, Trey Burton, Brent Celek, Billy Brown, Adam ZarubaLT: Jason PetersLG: Chance Warmack, Isaac SeumaloC: Jason Kelce, Stefen WisniewskiRG: Brandon Brooks, Matt TobinRT: Lane Johnson, Halapoulivaati VaitaiK: Caleb SturgisDT: Fletcher Cox, Beau Allen (NT), Timmy Jernigan, Elijah Qualls, Destiny Vaeao, Gabe Wright, Connor WujciakDE: Vinny Curry, Brandon Graham, Chris Long, Derek Barnett, Steven Means, Taylor Hart, Alex McCalisterMLB: Jordan Hicks, Joe WalkerOLB: Nigel Bradham (S), Mychal Kendricks (W), Kami Grugier-Hill (inj), Najee Goode, Nate Gerry, Steven DanielsCB: Ronald Darby, Jalen Mills, Patrick Robinson, Sidney Jones (inj), Rasul Douglas, Dexter McDougle, Jaylen Watkins, C.J. Smith, Aaron GrymesS: Malcolm Jenkins (FS), Rodney McLeod (SS), Chris Maragos (SS), Corey GrahamCoaches:Head Coach: Doug Pederson, Off Coord: Frank Reich, QB Coach: Randy Fichtner, QB Coach: John DeFilippo, RB Coach: Duce Staley, WR Coach: Mike Groh, TE Coach: James Daniel, TE Coach: Justin Peelle, OL Coach: Jeff Stoutland, SpecTm Coach: Dave Fipp, Def Coord: Keith Butler, Def Coord: Jim Schwartz, DL Coach: Chris Wilson, LB Coach: Ken Flajole, DB Coach: Cory Undlin, DB Coach: Tim Hauck

Pittsburgh Steelers

QB: Ben Roethlisberger hadn’t participated in team’s first two preseason games, but that didn’t stop him from staying sharp. In fact, he’s been so accurate in camp that he’s intentionally throwing bad balls to test and build chemistry with his receivers. He looked sharp in his preseason debut, leading the team to six plays of 10+ yards in the first 12 snaps. The only blemish was a fumble on a strip-sack from an edge rusher. Landry Jones also made his preseason debut against the Colts, returning from an abdominal injury. In extended duty, he played efficiently and secured his #2 position on the depth chart. Joshua Dobbs hardly played and has a long road ahead based on how poorly he played through the first three weeks of the preseason.

RB: LeVeon Bell announced via Twitter that he intends to report September 1, the day after the team’s last preseason game. While it’s welcome news, there is still concern that Bell won’t know the new wrinkles in the playbook after not answering texts from Roethlisberger or be in “football shape.” Knile Davis – not James Conner – played extensively with the first-team offense. The decision to play Davis over Conner was likely a way to give Davis a legitimate chance to earn a roster spot, as opposed to a demotion for Conner. The coaches wanted Conner to focus on special teams where most of his contributions will come when Bell is healthy without over-working him. Conner on carried four times. Fitzgerald Toussaint was hurt in the game making room for Terrell Watson to make some impressive runs.

WR: Antonio Brown made his preseason debut and was active in limited duty. Brown’s first catch saw him snag a routine pass from Roethlisberger and weave across the field in typical “Antonio Brown” fashion. It was mostly east-west running and didn’t generate many additional yards, but it showcased his ability and how hard he is for defenders to corral when he gets the ball in his hands. His second catch was outstanding; on a ball thrown behind him while surrounded by three defenders, Brown reached back and snared the pass while somehow avoiding a huge hit. What made the play even better was that it converted a third down to continue the drive. Martavis Bryant saw his second live action since 2015 and his first alongside Roethlisberger and Brown. He was only targeted once by Roethlisberger, resulting in a nine-yard catch. The rest of his results came with Landry Jones in the game. The team tried to get him involved in the screen game, but it wasn’t effective. Bryant will be unleashed as a deep, vertical threat eventually, and Roethlisberger is more than capable of hitting him downfield. It’s worth noting that Bryant’s full regular season reinstatement isn’t finalized yet; although

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everyone expects him to be cleared to play. It’s also interesting to note that despite their respective draft statuses, Eli Rogers (undrafted free agent in 2015) is ahead of JuJu Smith-Schuster (second-round pick in 2017) for the slot receiver job. The rookie from USC has had a tumultuous preseason on the injury front, suffering a concussion and a knee injury so far.

TE: Jesse James is not the most inspiring tight end starter in the league, which explains why the Steelers traded for Vance McDonald on Tuesday. McDonald was effective at times in San Francisco but never seemed like a fit with the new coaches, who are going with rookie George Kittle instead. McDonald should eventually compete for starting reps but will need time to adjust to his new surroundings. Xavier Grimble generated some buzz last season after flashing athleticism in limited action, but his all-around game isn’t sound enough to deserve major snaps. It’s unclear whether Pittsburgh will keep four tight ends on the 53-man roster, but David Johnson is an excellent blocker and is an important part of the team’s elite run-blocking.

Defense: After finishing last season in dominating fashion, the defense has struggled the last two preseason games. The pass defense was again suspect, despite an outstanding interception from linebacker Ryan Shazier. The unit is supremely talented – but also youthful – and should improve as the season progresses. Outside of second-year Artie Burns, the cornerbacks have been disappointing. Presumed starter Ross Cockrell has underwhelmed, as has presumed slot corner William Gay. Both were replaced on the first-team defense in practices this week. Further looking to shake things up at the position, Pittsburgh traded with Washington for Deshaun Phillips, a former undrafted free agent who played five games last season as a nickel corner. The Steelers took a big step toward solving their secondary woes on Wednesday by signing Joe Haden to a 3-year, $27 million contract. Haden, a 28-year old former Pro Bowler, was released by division rival Cleveland in a cap savings move. The front seven looks dominant. Stephon Tuitt made several big plays Saturday, and T.J. Watt continues to play like a seasoned veteran. Watt got so much time with the starters, in fact, that veteran James Harrison was playing well into the third quarter, which is rare for a player of his stature.

Returners: Undrafted free agent Trey Williams was considered a longshot to make the roster. Then he returned a punt 64 yards for a touchdown early in the preseason, and Pittsburgh responded by giving him practice reps at kickoff returner, to boot. The rookie could add some excitement to a unit currently features the decidedly average duo of Fitzgerald Toussaint and Knile Davis.

OL: The offensive line got some good news as center Maurkice Pouncey rejoined the lineup for the preseason loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Pouncey started, stepped right in and played at his usual high level, but it wasn’t all sunshine and roses. There was an ugly strip sack of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger allowed by left tackle Alejandro Villaneuva. Some sources place the blame on tight end Jesse James, but either way, it was a problem. The usually reliable Villanueva has struggled in back-to-back weeks and could be hiding an injury. It wasn’t the greatest performance, but the Steelers’ line still grades out as a top-tier unit assuming Villanueva isn’t on the verge of missing games.

Steelers Depth ChartQB: Ben Roethlisberger, Landry Jones, Joshua DobbsRB: Le′Veon Bell, Fitzgerald Toussaint (KR), James Conner, Knile Davis, Trey Williams, Terrell WatsonFB: Roosevelt NixWR: Antonio Brown (PR), Martavis Bryant, Eli Rogers (PR), JuJu Smith-Schuster, Justin Hunter, Sammie Coates, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Cobi Hamilton, DeMarcus Ayers, Dez Stewart, Marcus TuckerTE: Jesse James, Xavier Grimble, Vance McDonald, David Johnson, Phazahn OdomLT: Alejandro Villanueva, Chris HubbardLG: Ramon FosterC: Maurkice Pouncey, BJ FinneyRG: David DecastroRT: Marcus Gilbert, Jerald HawkinsK: Chris BoswellNT: Javon Hargrave, Daniel McCullers, Lavon HooksDE: Stephon Tuitt, Cameron Heyward, Tyson Alualu, L.T. Walton, Johnny MaxeyILB: Ryan Shazier (L), Vince Williams, Tyler Matakevich, L.J. Fort, Steven Johnson, Keith KelseyOLB: Bud Dupree, T.J. Watt, James Harrison, Arthur Moats, Anthony Chickillo, Akil Blount, Farrington Hugeunin, Keion Adams (IR)CB: Artie Burns, William Gay, Joe Haden, Ross Cockrell, Cameron Sutton, Coty Sensabaugh, Dashaun Phillips, Justin Gilbert, Senquez Golson (inj)S: Michael Mitchell (FS), Sean Davis (SS), Robert Golden (SS), Jordan Dangerfield (FS), Brian Allen, Jacob HagenCoaches:Head Coach: Mike Tomlin, Off Coord: Todd Haley, RB Coach: James Saxon, WR Coach: Richard Mann, OL Coach: Mike Munchak, SpecTm Coach: Danny Smith, DL Coach: John Mitchell, LB Coach: Joey Porter, LB Coach: Jerry Olsavsky, DB Coach: Carnell Lake

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San Francisco 49ers

QB: The offense has shown plenty of positive signs throughout camp, but that didn’t translate into results on the field for the first two preseason games. That changed in a big way on Sunday Night when they took on the Vikings. The first-team offense was dynamite, and Brian Hoyer looked poised and efficient while leading two scoring drives. “It wasn’t a relief because I knew as an offense that’s who we were,” Hoyer said. “We just hadn’t had the opportunity to get those sustained drives, move the ball and eventually score.” Hoyer’s excellent night included a deep strike to Marquise Goodwin for a score in the first quarter. The pair has developed chemistry in a short time together. C.J. Beathard played most of the game in relief of Hoyer. He’s locked in a battle with Matt Barkley for the backup gig, and the winner probably won’t be decided until after the fourth preseason game.

RB: Carlos Hyde has been impressive throughout camp, and continued his solid play against the Vikings. He didn’t get much going on the ground against a tough Vikings defense, but his versatility was on display in the passing game. Hyde hauled in all three of his targets, including an impressive 24-yard catch-and-run from Hoyer for a score in the second quarter. Rookie Matt Breida has been one of the stars of camp, and he was next man up once the starters left the field. While veteran Tim Hightower did not play against the Vikings, we can take that as a clear sign that Breida is in the conversation for regular work. It appears that he may have passed fellow rookie Joe Williams on the depth chart, but both should make the final 53-man roster. Speaking of roster spots, Raheem Mostert bolstered his case with a stellar, 2-touchdown performance. "I am taking advantage of every opportunity that I am presented," he said. "I just need to make the best of it and continue to move forward from here."

WR: There has been plenty of buzz this summer that Kyle Shanahan’s offensive system is bearing fruit. The team’s performance against the Vikings confirmed the hype. The first-team offense looked crisp and efficient, and Hoyer demonstrated an impressive rapport with both Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin. Both players are locked in atop the depth chart. Goodwin’s 46-yard touchdown in the first quarter explains Goodwin’s optimism. “It’s important to get a start like that anywhere, especially when we have a new team and chemistry is starting to develop,” said Goodwin. Jeremy Kerley is currently penciled in as the #3, but there are plenty of questions further down the depth chart. Aldrick Robinson and Trent Taylor are the favorites from an uninspiring pack.

TE: Rookie George Kittle has earned the starting job after a spirited competition with incumbent Vance McDonald. The 49ers traded McDonald to the Steelers on Tuesday, formalizing Kittle’s rise to the top spot. The rest of the depth chart is yet to be finalized, but clues will emerge in the fourth preseason game.

Defense: The defense looked solid in the early-going against the Vikings as the unit pitched a first-half shutout. The wheels fell off in the second half when the backups came on the field, but it was nonetheless an encouraging sign for a team that’s installing a new scheme. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has some intriguing pieces to work with, and he sounds particularly high on defensive lineman Tank Carradine. “I think he’s damn near an elite six-technique,” he said. “To be able to create pocket push from an edge, I think that’s where his home is. I think he’s pretty freaking good at it.” Linebacker NaVorro Bowman was also on the receiving end of praise from Saleh this week. “When you’re dealing with a guy like NaVorro, instinctually they find the ball, they make tackles, they get pass break ups, and it’s what they do. I think he’d be a fit for any scheme,” Saleh said. Rookie linebacker Reuben Foster also played well against the Vikings, and he has the makings of a ball hawk.

Returners: While many players are excited to play special teams, Jeremy Kerley has indicated in the past that he'd rather have punt returns taken off his plate. 5th round rookie Trent Taylor seemed like the best option to do that, but time is quickly running out for the young receiver, as Kerley remains entrenched ahead of him on the depth chart.

OL: The first team unit looked good in the preseason loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Carlos Hyde found rushing lanes, and Brian Hoyer was well-protected in the pocket. There was a brief scary moment as left tackle Joe Staley left the game with a knee sprain. However, Staley was all smiles on the sidelines, and the injury is minor. He should be at full strength for Week One. The 49ers’ line is playing at a high level this preseason, and are one of the better units in the NFC in spite of consensus opinions to the contrary.

49ers Depth ChartQB: Brian Hoyer, C.J. Beathard, Matt BarkleyRB: Carlos Hyde, Tim Hightower, Matt Breida, Joe Williams, Kapri Bibbs, Raheem MostertFB: Kyle Juszczyk, Tyler McCloskeyWR: Pierre Garcon, Marquise Goodwin, Jeremy Kerley (PR), Aldrick Robinson, Trent Taylor, Aaron Burbridge, DeAndre Smelter, Victor Bolden, Kendrick Bourne, Louis Murphy, DeAndre Carter, BJ JohnsonTE: George Kittle, Garrett Celek, Blake Bell, Logan

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Paulsen, Cole Hikutini, Kyle NelsonLT: Joe Staley, John TheusLG: Zane Beadles, Josh Garnett (INJ)C: Daniel Kilgore, Tim BarnesRG: Brandon FuscoRT: Trent Brown, Garry GilliamK: Robbie GouldDT: Earl Mitchell (NT), DeForest Buckner, Ronald Blair, Quinton Dial (NT), Chris Jones, D.J. Jones (NT), Sen′Derrick MarksDE: Solomon Thomas, Arik Armstead, Tank Carradine, Aaron Lynch, Pita Taumoepenu, Elvis Dumervil, Noble NwachuckwuMLB: Navorro Bowman, Brock Coyle, Donavin NewsomOLB: Reuben Foster (W), Eli Harold (S/DE), Ray-Ray Armstrong (W), Dekoda Watson (S), Jimmie Gilbert (S), Jayson DiManche, Shayne Skov, Malcolm Smith (IR)CB: Rashard Robinson, Dontae Johnson, Ahkello Witherspoon, Keith Reaser, K′Waun Williams, Will Redmond, Prince Charles IworahS: Eric Reid (SS), Jimmie Ward (FS/CB), Jaquiski Tartt (SS), Don Jones (SS), Adrian Colbert, Vinnie Sunseri (SS), Will Davis, Lorenzo JeromeCoaches:Head Coach: Kyle Shanahan, QB Coach: Rich Scangarello, RB Coach: Bobby Turner, WR Coach: Mike LaFleur, TE Coach: Jon Embree, OL Coach: John Benton, SpecTm Coach: Richard Hightower, Def Coord: Robert Saleh, DL Coach: Jeff Zgonina, LB Coach: Johnny Holland, DB Coach: Jeff Hafley

Seattle Seahawks

QB: The see-saw of backup quarterbacks continued against the Kansas City Chiefs. Trevone Boykin, who has looked good in prior games, was awful, failing to complete a pass in six attempts against backup defenders. Well, technically he completed a pass—to Kansas City for an interception. After struggling through the preseason, Austin Davis went 5-for-5 for 64 yards and a touchdown. “He’s a very, very smart football player,” Pete Carroll said after the game. “He’s very savvy. He’s helped us and brought a lot of focus and good stuff to the room. He really is a big step ahead of what is going on, always. It’s how he’s played.” Carroll also said six bad passes shouldn’t change how Boykin is perceived. The final decision on who backs up Russell Wilson may come down to the fourth preseason game.

RB: Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise missed the Chiefs game with minor injuries, so Eddie Lacy and Chris Carson saw the bulk of the early work again. Lacy’s first carry was an encouraging 11-yard run, but he and Carson were clearly in a time share. Carson has eight carries to Lacy’s four. Lacy still doesn’t look as powerful and aggressive as he was in Green Bay. Thomas Rawls, listed atop the depth chart, returned to practice on Tuesday, and Coach Carroll didn’t rule out his playing a few snaps in the fourth preseason game; usually, something starters don’t do. Prosise also returned to practice this week, but his role remains nebulous. Rookie Carson caught a 37-yard pass from a scrambling Russell Wilson. Carson was covered by a linebacker who had his back to the line of scrimmage, and Wilson took advantage of the mismatch. J.D. McKissic isn’t a name people have heard much this summer, but he had a great night against Kansas City. He was decisive and ran with explosiveness, planting a defender with a stiff-arm on an outside run. There’s not much room on the roster for him, but it was a strong showing, and he could land on the practice squad or get a shot on another team. Then again, Alex Collins saw no work in this game, which could mean there is a roster spot up for grabs.

WR: Jermaine Kearse and Doug Baldwin both looked like their old selves against Kansas City, combining for five catches on six targets for 104 yards. It will be interesting to see where Kearse lands in the pecking order with Paul Richardson back and Tyler Lockett returning soon, but he does seem to have solidified his roster spot. One thing worth noting was how much the younger receivers we’ve been tracking were throttled back. Kasen Williams and Amara Darboh each had two targets, and David Moore had one.

TE: Jimmy Graham was back in the lineup and looked healthy and ready for the regular season. He is over his recent back injury and caught two of four targets for 34 yards. Luke Willson returned to the lineup after missing the first two preseason games but was relegated to blocking. The same was true for Nick Vannett and rookie Stevie Donatell, though each also saw a target.

Defense: The defense was solid across the board against the Kansas City Chiefs, allowing just 225 yards on 62 plays and 13 points total. They also caused a pair of fumbles and held the Chiefs to 156 yards passing (starter Alex Smith accounted for just 44 yards on 7-of-17 attempts). They have averaged just 14.3 points allowed a game during the preseason, while averaging 31.3 points on offense. The defense looks just as sharp as ever, and will only get better as the offense scores points and sustains drives. Last season the defense was left holding the bag a lot, but that doesn’t appear to be the case for this season. Frank Clark returned from injury to blow up Alex Smith for a sack and pressure him

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up the middle several times. Linebacker K.J. Wright also returned from injury and had a solid performance. And while the battle between rookie Shaquill Griffin and veteran Jeremy Lane has been fierce, the net-effect is that the Seahawks are coming away with more depth at the spot.

Returners: Tyler Lockett has been practicing fully but has yet to play in the preseason. With Lockett out, J.D. McKissic has served as the team's return specialist, and he could make the final 53-man roster as an insurance policy.

OL: The Seahawks traded a fifth round draft pick to Philadelphia for Matt Tobin last Tuesday, with the intention of having Tobin compete with Rees Odhiambo for the left tackle spot. However, Odhiambo had a decent performance through almost three quarters in the preseason win over Kansas City. The pass protection wasn’t perfect (and right tackle Germain Ifedi had an ugly false start on 4th and one from the red zone), but the rushing attack found daylight. Odhiambo appears to have won the job, with Tobin the next option, and current left guard Luke Joeckel as the option of last resort. The unit is among the worst in the league.

Seahawks Depth ChartQB: Russell Wilson, Austin Davis, Trevone BoykinRB: Thomas Rawls, Eddie Lacy, Chris Carson, C.J. Prosise (3RB) (inj), Alex Collins, J.D. McKissic, Mike Davis, Tre MaddenFB: Marcel Reece, Kyle ColemanWR: Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Tyler Lockett (PR), Paul Richardson (KR) (inj), Kasen Williams, Amara Darboh, Tanner McEvoy, Kenny Lawler, David Moore, Rodney Smith, Darreus Rogers, Cyril GraysonTE: Jimmy Graham, Luke Willson, Nick Vannett, Marcus Lucas, Tyrone Swoopes, Steve DonatellLT: George FantLG: Luke Joeckel, Rees OdhiamboC: Justin Britt, Joey Hunt, Ethan PocicRG: Mark Glowinski, Oday AboushiRT: Germain Ifedi, Justin SeniorK: Blair WalshDT: Ahtyba Rubin, Jarran Reed, Quinton Jefferson, Malik McDowell (inj), Nazair Jones, Garrison Smith, Tylor Harris, Shaniel Jenkins, Jeremy LigginsDE: Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett, Frank Clark (inj), Cassius Marsh, David Bass, Dion Jordan, Marcus SmithMLB: Bobby Wagner, Michael Morgan, Ronald PowellOLB: K.J. Wright (W), Michael Wilhoite, Terence Garvin (W), D.J. Alexander, Dewey McDonald, Otha Peters, Kache Palacio

CB: Richard Sherman, Jeremy Lane, Shaquill Griffin, Deshawn Shead, Neiko Thorpe, Pierre Desir (FS/CB), Demetrius McCray, DeAndre Elliott, Michael TysonS: Kam Chancellor (SS), Earl Thomas (FS) (inj), Bradley McDougald (FS), Delano Hill (SS), Tedrick Thompson (FS), Marcus Cromartie (FS), Jordan Simone (SS)Coaches:Head Coach: Pete Carroll, Off Coord: Darrell Bevell, QB Coach: Carl Smith, RB Coach: Chad Morton, WR Coach: Dave Canales, TE Coach: Pat McPherson, OL Coach: Tom Cable, SpecTm Coach: Brian Schneider, Def Coord: Kris Richard, DL Coach: Travis Jones, DL Coach: Dwaine Board, DL Coach: Clint Hurtt, LB Coach: Michael Barrow, DB Coach: Andre Curtis

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

QB: Buccaneers.com’s Joe Kania says Jameis Winston had his best training camp as a Buccaneer. “The numbers support that observation,” Kania says. “[Dirk] Koetter said that Winston completed an extra 10 percent of his passes during camp. That’s a huge number considering how many balls he threw over the course of the month. Expect big things from No. 3 in 2017.” Bucs Nation’s Sanders Philipse praised Winston for his work in the offense’s quick game. Despite these facts, ESPN’s Jenna Laine reports that the Buccaneers “are way off the mark in their quest to be ’60 percent in the red zone.” Laine also says that Winston has made progress as a decision-maker. Meanwhile, backup Ryan Fitzpatrick is getting a better grasp of the playbook.

RB: If you listen to the players, Doug Martin has wrapped up the starting job and Jacquizz Rodgers will fill-in until Martin returns from the final three games of his suspension. Martin has been impressive this summer. Dirk Koetter praised Charles Sims told Pat Donovan of 620 WDAE Tampa that he was impressed with “pretty much everything” Sims has done. “He’s hitting the holes hard in the running game. He can play every position in the passing game, and he’s one of our best protectors. He’s also doing a really nice job on special teams. He’s playing the core on special teams, so he’s doing the dirty work on special teams because he’s such a good blocker…he’s as solid as the day is long.” On the other hand, Koetter is unhappy with rookie Jeremy McNichols. “He wasn’t able to make any kind of positive impression in either training camp or the preseason.”

WR: Mike Evans missed a few practices last week, but it was precautionary. DeSean Jackson has been quiet in recent weeks, but his integration into the offense has been characterized as “seamless.” Joe Kania reports,

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“few players have turned as many heads as [Chris] Godwin. The rookie was a step ahead of the learning curve since arriving in Tampa Bay and performed well when he got an opportunity to work with the first-team offense. Don’t be surprised to see Godwin in the end zone a half-dozen times or more in 2017.” Adam Humphries left the preseason game against the Browns with a hip injury and remains sidelined.

TE: O.J. Howard made an impressive catch on a vertical route with the second-team offense. The rookie first rounder also made a leaping grab on a deep pass from Fitzpatrick in the corner of the end zone during 11-on-11 drills. Howard’s improvement aside, Cameron Brate remains an essential part of the game plan.

Defense: Multiple beat writers have cited linebacker Kwon Alexander as one of the most impressive players on the roster. Gerald McCoy suffered a minor injury and missed some time last week, but it’s not considered serious. According to Philipse, the Bucs pass rush appeared inept against the Browns and rookie DeShone Kizer made “cornerback Ryan Smith look silly a few times.” Cornerback Brent Grimes returned to practice after missing the previous week with a shin laceration.

Returners: Bernard Reedy has played well and could make the 53-man roster as a returner, but nothing is guaranteed given Tampa Bay’s depth and viable alternatives. He needs a strong 4th game to secure a hard-earned roster spot.

OL: The line was without two starters during the loss to the Cleveland Browns. Still, the line did a decent job keeping their quarterback’s jersey clean for the evening. Interior backup Evan Smith stepped in at left guard for Kevin Pamphile while Leonard Wester got the start at right tackle for Demar Dotson. Pamphile’s situation sounded like a maintenance day off while Dotson has been dealing with a groin injury. Both should be available for Week One. Wester appears locked in at swing tackle while Joe Hawley’s roster spot could be in danger.

Buccaneers Depth ChartQB: Jameis Winston, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Griffin, Sefo LiufauRB: Doug Martin (susp), Jacquizz Rodgers, Charles Sims (3RB), Jeremy McNichols, Peyton Barber, Russell Hansbrough, Blake SimsFB: Austin JohnsonWR: Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson, Adam Humphries (KR/PR) (inj), Chris Godwin, Josh Huff, Donteea Dye, Bernard Reedy, Freddie Martino, Thomas Sperbeck, Derel Walker, Bobo WilsonTE: Cameron Brate, O.J. Howard, Luke Stocker, Alan Cross, Antony Auclair, Tevin Westbroook

LT: Donovan SmithLG: Kevin PamphileC: Ali Marpet, Joe HawleyRG: J.R. Sweezy, Evan SmithRT: Demar Dotson, Caleb BenenochK: Nick Folk, Zach HockerDT: Gerald McCoy, Clinton McDonald, Chris Baker, Sealver Siliga, Stevie Tu′ikolovatu, DaVonte LambertDE: Robert Ayers, William Gholston, Noah Spence, Jacquies Smith (inj), Channing Ward, George Johnson, Ryan Russell, Justin TrattouMLB: Kwon Alexander, Kendell Beckwith, Riley BulloughOLB: Lavonte David (W), Devante Bond (S), Adarius Glanton, Cameron Lynch, Jeff Knox Jr., Paul MaglioreCB: Brent Grimes, Vernon Hargreaves III, Josh Robinson, Robert McClain, Cody Riggs, Javien Elliott, Maurice Fleming, Greg Mabin, Jonathan Moxey, Jude Adjei-Barimah (IR)S: Chris Conte (SS), J.J. Wilcox (FS), Justin Evans (SS), Keith Tandy (FS), Ryan Smith, Isaiah Johnson, Alex GrayCoaches:Head Coach: Dirk Koetter, Off Coord: Todd Monken, QB Coach: Mike Bajakian, RB Coach: Tim Spencer, TE Coach: Ben Steele, OL Coach: George Warhop, SpecTm Coach: Nate Kaczor, Def Coord: Mike Smith, DL Coach: Jay Hayes, LB Coach: Mark Duffner, DB Coach: Brett Maxie, DB Coach: Jon Hoke

Tennessee Titans

QB: The offense was uncharacteristically stagnant against the Bears. Marcus Mariota struggled to stay on target, missing high on quite a few of his passes. He finished 12-of-21 for 193 yards and a touchdown through the air, and he rushed twice for 12 yards. Mariota said of their performance, "Not to the level that I expect myself to play. ... Obviously, we'd like to play better." Matt Cassel relieved Mariota in the fourth quarter and went four of seven for 62 yards and scrambled for 12 yards. He was pulled after he lost a fumble. Alex Tanney finished the game, completing four passes for 60 yards. Tanney has likely done enough to relegate Tyler Ferguson to the practice squad.

RB: DeMarco Murray returned to game action, but the team remained cautious with him. He was pulled in favor of Derrick Henry after six carries for 16 yards. Henry carried nine times for 24 yards and scored the lone touchdown on a three-yard pass. Coach Mularkey was effusive in his praise for Henry after practice, “He has been phenomenal, just phenomenal. How well he’s

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played, how prepared he is (is impressive).” It’s still unclear which of Khalfani Muhammad or David Fluellen will make the final roster, but Fluellen is making his case to stick. Fluellen has been more noticeable in practice and made plays as a receiver versus the bears; he caught three passes for 44 yards.

WR: Corey Davis did not suit up against the Bears, but the promising rookie returned to practice on Tuesday. “He’s coming along. I think we are going to look a little harder after this game to see where he is at,” said Mularkey. Eric Decker, who is nursing an ankle injury, also did not play. Harry Douglas missed the game with an injured knee. That left Rishard Matthews, Taywan Taylor, and Tre McBride getting the lion’s share of targets against Chicago. Mariota leaned heavily on Matthews, who caught three passes for 54 yards. Two of the three passes were 20+ yard completions. The Titans continued to test a few trick plays with Taylor, most of which fell flat. He did manage to haul in a 48-yard pass on a day where little else was going right for the Titans offense. Taylor bruised his calf in the game, but the injury is not serious. Tajae Sharpe made his preseason debut, catching a 10-yarder. Sharpe remains firmly on the roster bubble along with Harry Douglas and Tre McBride. Eric Weems will probably to be kept around for his special teams contributions.

TE: Delanie Walker was unphased by the team’s loss in the dress rehearsal game. “It’s preseason. The starters did play a lot in this game, but we’ve still got two weeks to clean it up. Hopefully, we can get everything situated for the Oakland game.” The veteran caught a 27-yarder in limited snaps. Rookie Jonnu Smith did not record a catch against the Bears but remains heavily involved in practice. Phillip Supernaw will likely beat out Jace Amaro for the final roster spot because he’s a better blocker.

Defense: Adoree Jackson was picked on in coverage often on Chicago’s first drive. He allowed three completions that brought the Bears into the red zone. A pass interference penalty on Jackson set up Chicago’s first touchdown. Jackson admitted later, “There’s going to be adversity throughout games, and you want to make sure you have more ups than downs. I just have to keep getting better.” The Titans had let Wesley Woodyard wear the green dot last week, but gave it to Avery Williamson this week. Williamson is the more likely of the two to have an every-down role. Jayon Brown once again flashed. On one play, the rookie fifth rounder knifed into the backfield, disengaged from the fullback, and made a tackle-for-loss on Bears star running back Jordan Howard. Austin Johnson says the game is slowing down for him, “I just feel a whole lot better about the defense, and how to play it. And I’m more comfortable in the games from the experience I’ve had. I

feel better about the technique, and playing at a consistent pace.”

K: Nick Folk was 3-for-3 on field goal attempts from 31, 42 and 43 yards. He is draftable playing on a balanced team that’s projected to score a lot. Even though the team signed Zach Hocker, after they released Roberto Aguayo, Folk has done nothing to lose the job.

Returners: While he's accounted for his share of exciting plays during training camps and preseason, Adoree Jackson reminded us that rookies still have a learning curve in the third preseason game. The first round rookie fielded a punt at Tennessee's 3-yard line and was quickly tackled, leaving the offense stranded in a dreadful situation.

OL: The offense prioritized the ground game against the Chicago Bears. The Titans called six straight rushes to open the game, including an exotic, unbalanced look with tackles Taylor Lewan and Jack Conklin lined up on the left side. The success on the ground was juxtaposed against issues in pass protection as Conklin allowed a sack of quarterback Marcus Mariota. As cuts approach, it will be interesting to see if rookie backup Corey Levin displaces one of the veteran backups on the roster. Despite the mixed results against the Bears, the Titans line still grades out as a top-tier squad.

Titans Depth ChartQB: Marcus Mariota, Matt Cassel, Alex Tanney, Tyler FergusonRB: DeMarco Murray (inj), Derrick Henry, David Fluellen (KR), Khalfani Muhammad (KR), Akeem JuddFB: Jalston FowlerWR: Eric Decker, Rishard Matthews, Corey Davis, Taywan Taylor, Tajae Sharpe, Tre McBride, Eric Weems (KR), Harry Douglas, Jonathan Krause, Darius Jennings, KeVonn MabonTE: Delanie Walker, Jonnu Smith, Philip Supernaw, Jace Amaro, Jerome Cunninghmam, Tim SemischLT: Taylor Lewan, Dennis KellyLG: Quinton Spain, Sebastian TretolaC: Ben Jones, Tim LelitoRG: Josh Kline, Josue Matias, Corey LevinRT: Jack Conklin, Brad SeatonK: Ryan SuccopNT: Sylvester Williams, Austin Johnson, Antwaun Woods, DeAngelo BrownDE: Jurell Casey (DT), DaQuan Jones, Karl Klug, Angelo Blackson, Mehdi Abdesmad, Caushaud LyonsILB: Avery Williamson, Wesley Woodyard, Daren Bates, Jayron Brown, Nate PalmerOLB: Derrick Morgan, Brian Orakpo, Kevin

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Dodd, Aaron Wallace, Josh Carraway, Erik Walden, Courtnei Brown, Justin StaplesCB: Logan Ryan, Leshaun Sims, Brice McCain, Adoree Jackson (PR), Demontre Hurst, Kalan Reed, Bennett Okotcha, D′Joun Smith, Tye SmithS: Jonathan Cyprien (SS), Kevin Byard (FS), Da′Norris Searcy (FS), Brynden Trawick, Curtis RileyCoaches:Head Coach: Mike Mularkey, Off Coord: Terry Robiskie, QB Coach: Jason Michael, RB Coach: Sylvester Croom, WR Coach: Fresman Jackson, TE Coach: Arthur Smith, OL Coach: Russ Grimm, SpecTm Coach: Steve Hoffman, Def Coord: Dick LeBeau, DL Coach: Nick Eason, LB Coach: Lou Spanos, DB Coach: Deshea Townsend

Washington Redskins

QB: Kirk Cousins’ preseason is over, and neither he nor the coaching staff can be satisfied with how things went. The franchise passer ended his preseason with an uneven performance against the Bengals. He completed just 10-of-19 passes for 109 yards (5.7 per attempt) and an interception, which was returned by linebacker Vontaze Burfict for a touchdown. Many felt Cousins made a poor decision in trying to tackle Burfict on the interception, but head coach Jay Gruden disagreed. “I would hope so,” Gruden said about Cousins’ attempted tackle. “It’s a competitive sport. To let a guy score a touchdown on our home field is unacceptable, so I’m happy he did that. That was the right move. He should do that.” Colt McCoy was sharp in relief, completing 8-of-11 passes for 76 yards (6.9 per attempt) and a touchdown. McCoy had been inconsistent this summer but exorcised the demons against the Bengals.

RB: Rob Kelley got all the work with the first team, and impressed. He gained 57 yards on ten carries (5.7 per rush) including a powerful goal-line run to give Washington its first offensive touchdown of the night. Mack Brown had 13 yards on three carries and should beat out Matt Jones for the #4 spot behind Kelley, Chris Thompson, and Samaje Perine. Perine won’t displace Kelley at the start of the season, but the rookie has shaken off a predictably rocky start and will push for a larger role as the regular season progresses.

WR: Terrelle Pryor has been productive in practice, but looks lost in game situations so far. The former quarterback turned 1,000-yard receiver struggled against Cincinnati; he caught just one of four targets. Jamison Crowder is healthy and looked in vintage form catching two passes for 24 yards (12.0 per reception). Josh Doctson missed the game, shockingly. The second-year

receiver may have talent, but he’s beginning to be a lost cause according to his head coach. "We've only had him a year, and he hasn't done a lot for us," said Jay Gruden bluntly. Maurice Harris, Brian Quick, and Ryan Grant hold the edge for the remaining roster spots, but the fourth preseason game could change things at the tail end of the roster. In particular, Robert Davis could edge out Quick.

TE: Washington fans breathed a collective sigh of relief when Jordan Reed not only suited up against the Bengals but caught a pair of passes for 12 yards. He was statistically outdone by backup Derek Carrier (22 yards and a touchdown), but Reed’s work came against the Bengals first team. Washington will probably keep four tight ends on the final roster, with Niles Paul and rookie Jeremy Sprinkle rounding out the unit.

Defense: Junior Galette made his long-awaited debut almost two years after signing with the team. He played with the first team and should help stabilize a defensive front in need of pass rushers. In less encouraging news, the team suffered a huge blow against the Bengals when mammoth defensive tackle Phil Taylor tore his quad and will be lost for the year following corrective surgery. The coaches acknowledge Taylor’s value but also are taking a “next man up” approach. “Yeah, Ziggy [Hood] can play there, Stacy [McGee] can play there some too,” said Gruden. “Those guys have played well. There’s been a constant battle throughout OTAs and training camp, so those guys will be getting a lot of work. Of course, coach Tomsula’s rotated them in there… different people over different groups as part of the plan. I feel terrible for Phil because he did a great job of getting himself ready to play. He was in excellent shape. It’s an unfortunate injury but the other guys have got to step up.”

Returners: It's worth noting that Jamison Crowder, last year's breakout star on both offense and special teams, has not returned a punt in the preseason. Jay Gruden has indicated that Crowder will remain the team’s primary returner once the regular season gets underway.

OL: The offensive line had a rough night against the Cincinnati Bengals. Right guard Brandon Scherff continued his run of poor play, at one point allowing pressure that led to an intentional grounding. Left guard Shaun Lauvao was overwhelmed on the first drive by Bengals’ defender Chris Smith, and he allowed a sack of quarterback Kirk Cousins on the play. Even left tackle Trent Williams had an off night, as he was called for holding and was beaten badly by rookie Carl Lawson for another sack of Cousins. The line deserves the benefit of the doubt and projects as a top quartile unit, but the preseason struggles raise the caution flag.

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Redskins Depth ChartQB: Kirk Cousins, Colt McCoy, Nate SudfeldRB: Robert Kelley, Chris Thompson (3RB/KR), Samaje Perine, Matt Jones, Mack Brown, Kenny Hilliard, Keith Marshall (IR)WR: Jamison Crowder (PR), Terrelle Pryor Sr., Josh Doctson, Ryan Grant, Maurice Harris, Brian Quick, Robert Davis, Matt Hazel, Kendal Thompson, James QuickTE: Jordan Reed (inj), Vernon Davis, Niles Paul, Jeremy Sprinkle, Derek Carrier, Manasseh GarnerLT: Trent Williams, Ty NsekheLG: Shawn Lauvao, Arie KouandijoC: Spencer Long, Chase RoullierRG: Brandon ScherffRT: Morgan Moses, Vinston PainterK: Dustin HopkinsNT: Stacy McGee (DE), Joey Mbu, Ondre Pipkins, Philip Taylor (IR)DE: Terrell McClain, Jonathan Allen, Ziggy Hood, Matt Ioannidis, Anthony Lanier, A.J. Francis, Brandon BanksILB: Zach Brown, Will Compton, Mason Foster, Chris Carter, Martrell Spaight, Josh Harvey-ClemonsOLB: Ryan Kerrigan (W), Preston Smith (S), Ryan Anderson (W), Junior Galette (inj), Trent Murphy (S), Zach Vigil, Lynden Trail, Peter Robertson, Houston Bates, Nico MarleyCB: Josh Norman, Bashaud Breeland, Quinton Dunbar, Fabian Moreau, Kendall Fuller, Joshua Holsey, Tevin Homer, Jeremiah McKinnonS: Su′a Cravens (SS) (inj), D.J. Swearinger (FS), DeAngelo Hall (FS) (inj), Montae Nicholson (SS), Will Blackmon (FS), Deshazor Everett (FS), Earl Wolff (SS), Stefan McClure (SS), Fish Smithson, Josh Evans, Tim ScottCoaches:Head Coach: Jay Gruden, Off Coord: Matt Cavanaugh, QB Coach: Kevin Oconnell, RB Coach: Randy Jordan, WR Coach: Ike Hilliard, TE Coach: Wes Phillips, OL Coach: Bill Callahan, SpecTm Coach: Ben Kotwica, Def Coord: Greg Manusky, DL Coach: Jim Tomsula, LB Coach: Kirk Olivadotti, DB Coach: Torrian Gray