NFL Preseason Week 1 – Who’s Playing and Who’s Sitting?

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter of their wild card playoff game Sunday, January 14, 2024 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Green Bay defeated Dallas 48-32.Week 1 of NFL preseason features 10 games, beginning August 8thJordan Love of the Packers and Trevor Lawrence of the Jaguars are suiting upRead below to see the full list of players starting and resting in Week 1 preseason

The first full week of NFL preseason action kicks off on Thursday, August 8th with a matchup between the Detroit Lions and New York Giants. A total of 10 games are on tap for Week 1, with several of them featuring star quarterbacks.

Among the NFL Players players suiting up in Week 1 NFL Preseason are Gren Bay quarterback Jordan Love and Jacksonville Jaguars pivot Trevor Lawrence. However, teams are airing on the side of caution with veterans such as Kyler Murray and Aaron Rodgers.

Here is a look at the NFL players who are starting in Week 1 preseason, as well as those who are sitting.

NFL Preseason Week 1 Players Expected to Play

As more NFL Week 1 preseason starters are confirmed, the NFL odds continue to fluctuate. The largest Week 1 preseason favorite is currently New England (-6.5) vs Carolina, with NE quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye both confirmed to be playing.

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Love, Lawrence Suiting Up

All eyes will be on Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love as he takes the field for the team’s preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday. Love, who recently signed a four-year, $220 million contract extension, is expected to see significant playing time in the game.

Another top QB taking the field in Week 1 is Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. According to multiple reports, Lawrence is expected to start and play in the Jaguars’ preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Doug Pederson just told us that Trevor Lawrence WILL PLAY against Kansas City in #DUUUVAL first preseason game. Probably 1-2 series.#NFL #NFLTrainingCamp

— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) August 6, 2024

Lawrence’s presence in the Week 1 preseason opener has led oddsmakers to install the Jags as 2.5-point favorites over the Chiefs In Week 1. However, the news of Love playing has kept the Packers as 3-point underdogs against the Browns.

Meanwhile in LA, The Raiders have a compelling quarterback battle on their hands between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell. As reported by Tashan Reed of the Athletic, both signal-callers are expected to play “a legit quarter” in the Raiders’ preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings on August 8th.

Other notable players expected to suit up in Week 1 include Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow and Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels. Burrow has seen limited preseason action in his career due to injury, while the rookie Daniels will look to make a strong first impression in the burgundy and gold.

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Competition Heats Up

One of the most intriguing quarterback battles to watch in the preseason is unfolding in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers have a competition brewing between veteran Russell Wilson and young pivot Justin Fields.

The Justin Fields Report

“He ABSOLUTELY has an opportunity to win the QB competition”

You all thought I was crazy to believe in Justin Fields….he’s balling out at #Steelers camp, w/ the right coaching he could be a force. Dare I say Slash 2.0?

Full 🎥: https://t.co/ped0NjaXQC pic.twitter.com/lRKTwUyYcB

— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) August 6, 2024

Wilson (calf) has been ruled out for the Steelers’ preseason opener against the Houston Texans on Friday, meaning Fields will have a golden opportunity to impress. The Steelers are currently 2.5-point underdogs in the game as Fields takes the field for the first time in the black and gold.

While Wilson has been listed as the team’s QB1 on the initial depth chart, head coach Mike Tomlin has made it clear that the competition is very much alive. “Very much is a competition,” Tomlin stated to the media in Pittsburgh when asked about the quarterback situation.

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NFL Preseason Week 1 Players Sitting Out

Team	Player-Position
Arizona Cardinals	Kyler Murray-QB
Atlanta Falcons	Kirk Cousins-QB
Baltimore Ravens	Lamar Jackson-QB
Buffalo Bills	TBD
Carolina Panthers	Bryce Young-QB (likely resting)
Chicago Bears	TBD
Cincinnati Bengals	Ja’Marr Chase (holdout)
Cleveland Browns	Deshaun Watson-QB
Dallas Cowboys	Dak Prescott-QB, CeeDee Lamb-WR (holdout)
Denver Broncos	TBD
Detroit Lions	Jared Goff-QB (unlikely to play all preseason)
Green Bay Packers	Zach Tom-OL (just starting team work)
Houston Texans	TBD
Indianapolis Colts	TBD
Jacksonville Jaguars	TBD
Kansas City Chiefs	TBD
Las Vegas Raiders	TBD
Los Angeles Chargers	Justin Herbert-QB
Los Angeles Rams	Puka Nacua-WR (questionable, knee injury)
Miami Dolphins	TBD
Minnesota Vikings	TBD
New England Patriots	TBD
New Orleans Saints	TBD
New York Giants	TBD
New York Jets	Aaron Rodgers-QB (likely out for all preseason games)
Philadelphia Eagles	TBD
Pittsburgh Steelers	Russell Wilson-QB
San Francisco 49ers	TBD
Seattle Seahawks	Geno Smith-QB (unlikely due to knee injury)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Baker Mayfield-QB
Tennessee Titans	TBD
Washington Commanders	TBD

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Teams Proceeding with Caution

While some teams will give their starters playing time in Week 1, others will opt to rest their key players. The Detroit Lions, for example, are expected to sit quarterback Jared Goff and other key starters in their preseason opener against the New York Giants.

Similarly, the Cleveland Browns will be without quarterback Deshaun Watson, who continues to recover from offseason shoulder surgery. Backup Jameis Winston will start in his place.

Browns HC Kevin Stefanski on the decision to sit DeShaun Watson this weekend and whether he needs to see him play in a preseason game. #nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/gglKwBssvN

— Sara Walsh (@Sara_Walsh) August 7, 2024

The New York Jets are taking a cautious approach with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is unlikely to play in any of the team’s preseason games as he works his way back from last year’s Achilles injury. Veteran Tyrod Taylor is expected to start in Rodgers’ absence.

The Los Angeles Rams may be without reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Puka Nacua, who is listed as questionable with a knee injury suffered in training camp. The Rams will likely err on the side of caution with their young star receiver.

In Los Angeles, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is expected to see limited snaps in the preseason opener due to a plantar fascia injury. The team will be cautious with their franchise quarterback as he adapts to new coach Jim Harbaugh’s run-heavy offense.

 

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