Samwise NFL Newsletter
Monday, August 3, 2026
NFLPA Clears Panthers After Scourton ACL Raises CBA Questions
The NFL Players Association investigated the Carolina Panthers after linebacker Nic Scourton suffered a season-ending torn ACL on the first day of 2026 training camp, raising concerns about a potential collective bargaining agreement violation. The CBA prohibits live contact during the mandatory five-day acclimation period at the start of camp. The Panthers cooperated fully with the NFLPA’s review, which included examination of practice video. The NFLPA concluded the Panthers broke no rules, determining the injury was a non-contact, unfortunate event. Scourton, selected 51st overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, will be placed on injured reserve and miss the entire 2026 season.
Sources: NBC Sports / Pro Football Talk
Saints Lose Starting DT Bryan Bresee to Season-Ending ACL Surgery
New Orleans Saints starting defensive tackle Bryan Bresee will undergo season-ending surgery on a torn ACL, head coach Kellen Moore confirmed Sunday. Bresee sustained a noncontact knee injury on Wednesday, the first day of training camp in Metairie. Moore initially said the injury did not look good after Wednesday’s practice, before the team confirmed surgery following further medical evaluation. The surgery rules Bresee out for the entire 2026 season, a significant loss for New Orleans’ defensive line. Bresee previously tore his left ACL at the beginning of his 2021 season at Clemson.
Travis Hunter Shines in Two-Way Return at Jaguars Training Camp
Jacksonville Jaguars two-way player Travis Hunter highlighted Back Together Weekend with an interception off backup quarterback Nick Mullens on defense, then made an explosive 35-yard twisting catch on offense three plays later during team drills. Hunter, who had his 2025 rookie season cut short by an LCL knee injury two months in, added ten pounds of muscle during offseason rehab and is now listed at 185 pounds. The Jaguars had originally indicated Hunter would play primarily on defense with limited offensive snaps, but his early camp performances have raised expectations for a larger two-way role in 2026.
Sources: Jacksonville Jaguars
Watson and Sanders Splitting Reps as Browns QB Battle Heats Up
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken has not named a starting quarterback entering 2026, with Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders continuing to split first-team reps. Monken, in his first year leading Cleveland, said he plans to play starters in the preseason, making those games pivotal evaluation periods. Watson, in the fifth and final year of his $230 million contract, sat out all of 2025 and missed 10 games in 2024 while recovering from two Achilles surgeries. On the first day of camp, Watson threw back-to-back interceptions to cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Damarri Mathis during 11-on-11 drills.
Falcons Lock Up Starting Guard Matthew Bergeron with $96 Million Extension
The Atlanta Falcons signed starting left guard Matthew Bergeron to a four-year contract extension through 2030, worth $96 million with $60 million guaranteed, the team announced Saturday at the start of training camp. Bergeron, a second-round pick in 2023, has started all 49 of his appearances over three seasons with Atlanta. He joins receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts as young offensive cornerstones who have received contract extensions from the Falcons this summer. The extension removes any preseason uncertainty about Bergeron’s long-term future and keeps him under contract through 2030.
De’Von Achane Sets NFL Rushing Title as His Primary 2026 Goal
Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane told NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe and Steve Smith Sr. after Sunday’s training camp practice that winning the NFL rushing title is his primary 2026 goal. “For me, it’s trying to get the rushing title,” Achane said. He finished fifth in the NFL in 2025 with 1,350 rushing yards. Achane enters 2026 under new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and said the biggest difference in Slowik’s scheme is that Miami plans to run the ball more. A heavier rushing workload under Slowik would increase Achane’s opportunities to challenge for the title.
Panthers Rookie WR Chris Brazzell II to Miss Entire 2026 Season
Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell II will miss the entire 2026 season after a knee injury sustained at training camp in late July required season-ending surgery. Brazzell initially went down with a lateral collateral ligament tear in his left knee during a 7-on-7 drill and was expected to miss approximately eight weeks. A second medical opinion recommended surgery, which will keep him out all year. Brazzell, selected with the 83rd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, had missed two earlier practices with soreness in the same knee before the injury occurred.
Sources: Carolina Panthers
Cardinals and Panthers to Open NFL Preseason in Hall of Fame Game on August 6
The Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers will meet in the 2026 Hall of Fame Game on August 6 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, opening the NFL preseason as the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2026 prepares for enshrinement. Former Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and former Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly are both members of the 2026 class, alongside quarterback Drew Brees, running back Roger Craig, and kicker Adam Vinatieri. For Carolina, it marks the franchise’s first Hall of Fame appearance since its inaugural 1995 season; for Arizona, it will be the club’s sixth Canton trip.
Sources: CBS Sports
Rodgers Confirms Final Season as McCarthy Reunion Opens Steelers Camp
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers confirmed 2026 will be his final NFL season, telling reporters there is “zero debate” about retiring after this year. Rodgers said McCarthy’s hiring as Pittsburgh’s head coach “put his foot in the door” that Rodgers had all but closed on his playing career, ultimately convincing him to play a 22nd NFL season. McCarthy, who replaced Mike Tomlin as Steelers head coach, previously worked with Rodgers for 13 seasons in Green Bay. McCarthy has outlined a managed rep count for the 42-year-old Rodgers during camp, with Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Drew Allar competing for backup duties.
American Football Conference
AFC East
1. Buffalo Bills — 0–0–0
2. Miami Dolphins — 0–0–0
3. New England Patriots — 0–0–0
4. New York Jets — 0–0–0
AFC North
1. Baltimore Ravens — 0–0–0
2. Cincinnati Bengals — 0–0–0
3. Cleveland Browns — 0–0–0
4. Pittsburgh Steelers — 0–0–0
AFC South
1. Houston Texans — 0–0–0
2. Indianapolis Colts — 0–0–0
3. Jacksonville Jaguars — 0–0–0
4. Tennessee Titans — 0–0–0
AFC West
1. Denver Broncos — 0–0–0
2. Kansas City Chiefs — 0–0–0
3. Las Vegas Raiders — 0–0–0
4. Los Angeles Chargers — 0–0–0
National Football Conference
NFC East
1. Dallas Cowboys — 0–0–0
2. New York Giants — 0–0–0
3. Philadelphia Eagles — 0–0–0
4. Washington Commanders — 0–0–0
NFC North
1. Chicago Bears — 0–0–0
2. Detroit Lions — 0–0–0
3. Green Bay Packers — 0–0–0
4. Minnesota Vikings — 0–0–0
NFC South
1. Atlanta Falcons — 0–0–0
2. Carolina Panthers — 0–0–0
3. New Orleans Saints — 0–0–0
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 0–0–0
NFC West
1. Arizona Cardinals — 0–0–0
2. Los Angeles Rams — 0–0–0
3. San Francisco 49ers — 0–0–0
4. Seattle Seahawks — 0–0–0
2026 season opens September 9 — all teams 0–0–0
Curated by JD · samwise.agency