NFL News Today: Final Preseason Games, Roster Cuts and Week 1 Countdown Take Center Stage
August 28, 2026
The NFL preseason is reaching the finish line, but the league is anything but quiet.
Teams have one final weekend to evaluate bubble players before rosters are reduced to 53, several notable veterans are changing teams, injuries are being closely monitored and the Dallas Cowboys are preparing to close their preseason against the New Orleans Saints Friday night.
Then the real thing begins.
The 2026 regular season opens September 9 with a Super Bowl rematch between New England and Seattle, followed one night later by the NFL's first regular-season game in Australia.
Here's what NFL fans need to know.
Final Roster Cuts Are Coming Sunday
For hundreds of players across the league, this weekend could determine whether they begin September on an NFL roster.
Teams must reduce their active rosters to 53 players by 6 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, August 30, an earlier cutdown day than the Tuesday deadline used in recent seasons. Waiver claims will then be due Monday.
That makes Friday and Saturday's preseason finales especially important for players competing for backup quarterback jobs, special-teams roles and the final few spots at wide receiver, defensive back and along the offensive and defensive lines.
NFL.com's roster tracker has already been busy as clubs release, trade and move players to injured reserve ahead of Sunday's deadline.
Cowboys Host Saints in Final Preseason Game
For Texas football fans, one of the most interesting games Friday comes from Arlington.
The Dallas Cowboys host the New Orleans Saints at 7 p.m. Central in their final preseason game. Dallas enters at 2-0 after victories earlier in the preseason, while several players remain in competition for the final roster positions.
Among the players Dallas has been evaluating are wide receiver Jonathan Mingo and several younger defensive and special-teams candidates.
The final preseason game isn't primarily about Dak Prescott or Dallas' established stars. It's an audition for the players who could become the next man up when injuries inevitably arrive during the season.
And with the cutdown deadline less than 48 hours later, there isn't much runway left.
Thursday Night Produced Several Strong Preseason Performances
The final preseason weekend began Thursday.
Buffalo defeated Pittsburgh 28-27 after a late touchdown and two-point conversion. Shane Buechele threw for 196 yards for the Bills, while Pittsburgh rested Aaron Rodgers and evaluated its quarterback depth.
Cleveland defeated New England 37-13, with Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel throwing for 186 yards and three touchdowns.
San Francisco beat Las Vegas 18-12, while the Rams finished their preseason 3-0 with a 20-18 victory over the Chargers.
The games may not count in the standings, but performances this late in August can absolutely determine who survives Sunday's roster decisions.
Steelers Could Carry Four Quarterbacks
Pittsburgh might take an unusual route with its quarterback room.
Head coach Mike McCarthy said it would be "very accurate" to assume the Steelers could keep four quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster.
With veteran Aaron Rodgers at the top of the room, Pittsburgh has been using the preseason to evaluate the depth behind him.
Carrying four quarterbacks would consume a valuable roster position, but Pittsburgh apparently believes the depth could be worth keeping.
That will be one of the roster decisions worth watching Sunday.
Ja'Marr Chase's Knee Is Being Watched in Cincinnati
Cincinnati received an injury scare when star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase hyperextended his left knee during practice.
Chase missed the following practice but indicated that he believed he could have played if Cincinnati had a regular-season game. The Bengals have been cautious and are keeping their established starters out of the preseason finale.
That's welcome news for an offense built around quarterback Joe Burrow and one of football's premier receivers.
Cincinnati opens the regular season September 13 against Tampa Bay.
Colts Get Alec Pierce Back
Indianapolis received better injury news.
The Colts activated wide receiver Alec Pierce from the physically unable to perform list after offseason ankle surgery.
Pierce is expected to gradually increase his workload as Indianapolis prepares for its September 13 opener against Baltimore.
Pierce surpassed 1,000 receiving yards last season and enters 2026 with an expanded role in the Colts offense.
His return gives Indianapolis an important deep threat just as the preseason closes.
Rams Bring Tutu Atwell Back
Sometimes the NFL transaction wire looks like somebody hit the undo button.
The Los Angeles Rams reacquired wide receiver Tutu Atwell from Miami, sending running back Jarquez Hunter to the Dolphins in return, pending physicals.
Atwell spent his first five NFL seasons with Los Angeles before signing with Miami in March.
Now he's headed right back to the Rams before ever playing a regular-season game for the Dolphins.
That's peak August NFL roster gymnastics.
Green Bay Adds Veteran Tight End Jonnu Smith
The Packers are also adding veteran help.
Green Bay reportedly signed Jonnu Smith to a one-year contract, giving the Packers another experienced option at tight end while the position group deals with injuries.
Smith has played for Tennessee, New England, Atlanta, Miami and Pittsburgh during his NFL career.
Green Bay opens the regular season against Minnesota on September 13.
NFL Games Coming Up This Weekend
The remaining preseason schedule is packed Friday before wrapping up Saturday. Times below are Central Time.DateMatchupCentral TimeFri., Aug. 28Commanders at Ravens5:00 p.m.Fri., Aug. 28Texans at Panthers6:00 p.m.Fri., Aug. 28Falcons at Dolphins6:00 p.m.Fri., Aug. 28Buccaneers at Jaguars6:30 p.m.Fri., Aug. 28Giants at Jets6:30 p.m.Fri., Aug. 28Saints at Cowboys7:00 p.m.Fri., Aug. 28Seahawks at Chiefs7:00 p.m.Fri., Aug. 28Bengals at Eagles7:00 p.m.Fri., Aug. 28Cardinals at Packers7:00 p.m.Fri., Aug. 28Vikings at Broncos8:00 p.m.Sat., Aug. 29Lions at ColtsNoonSat., Aug. 29Bears at Titans5:00 p.m.
NFL Network carries Washington-Baltimore, Minnesota-Denver, Detroit-Indianapolis and Chicago-Tennessee nationally, while Bengals-Eagles airs on CBS. Other games are available through local broadcasts and NFL+ subject to geographic restrictions.
Then the Regular Season Begins
Once preseason evaluations and roster cuts are finished, there's only a short break before games start counting.
The 2026 NFL season opens Wednesday, September 9, when the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots in a rematch of Super Bowl LX.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. Eastern on NBC and Peacock.
The next night delivers something completely new.
The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia, the first regular-season NFL game ever played in the country. The September 10 game will stream on Netflix.
Then the traditional Sunday slate arrives September 13.
Among the major games:Week 1 MatchupDatePatriots at SeahawksSept. 949ers vs. Rams in MelbourneSept. 10Bears at PanthersSept. 13Buccaneers at BengalsSept. 13Bills at TexansSept. 13Ravens at ColtsSept. 13Packers at VikingsSept. 13Commanders at EaglesSept. 13Cowboys at Giants, Sunday Night FootballSept. 13Broncos at Chiefs, Monday Night FootballSept. 14
What to Watch
The next 72 hours aren't about playoff positioning.
They're about building the teams that will eventually compete for it.
Sunday's roster deadline will produce surprise releases, waiver claims and likely more trades. Injured stars will be evaluated. Coaches will finalize depth charts. Young players will learn whether one preseason performance was enough to change their careers.
Then everything resets.
Thirty-two teams.
Zero wins.
Zero losses.
And another NFL season ready to go.