Samwise NFL Newsletter
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Cowboys and Quinnen Williams Agree on 3-Year, $105.9M Extension
The Dallas Cowboys and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams agreed Monday on a three-year, $105.9 million contract extension, according to multiple reports. The deal includes $101 million guaranteed and is layered on top of the two remaining years on Williams’ existing contract, potentially keeping him in Dallas through the 2030 season. Williams, 27, was acquired via trade from the New York Jets during the 2025 season. The extension makes Williams one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in NFL history. Dallas also faces Myles Garrett of the Rams in Tuesday’s joint practice, adding context to the investment in their defensive interior.
Sources: Washington Post
Commanders Star LT Laremy Tunsil to Have Surgery on Torn Triceps
Washington Commanders star left tackle Laremy Tunsil will undergo surgery on a torn triceps sustained during Saturday’s training camp practice, head coach Dan Quinn confirmed Monday. Tunsil suffered the injury on a one-on-one rep against linebacker Odafe Oweh. Recovery from a torn triceps typically requires four to six months, meaning Tunsil is likely to miss most or all of the 2026 regular season. Backup left tackle Brandon Coleman is expected to take over the starting role. The Commanders signed Tunsil to a two-year, $60.2 million extension just five months ago, making him the first $30 million-per-year offensive lineman in NFL history.
Patrick Mahomes Says Knee Feels Great, on Track for Week 1 Return
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said Monday that his left knee feels great and that he is on schedule for a Week 1 return after undergoing ACL and LCL surgery on December 15, 2025. Mahomes participated in full 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills during Monday’s practice, saying he has felt no setbacks through the first three weeks of training camp. Head coach Andy Reid has maintained that the goal is to have Mahomes ready for the Chiefs’ season opener, a Monday Night Football matchup against the Denver Broncos on September 14. Kansas City has not disclosed any limitations on his practice reps.
Sources: Last Word on NFL
Teddy Bridgewater Retires From NFL for Second Time, Lions Place Him on Reserve List
Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday, with the team placing him on the Reserve/Retired list the same day, the Detroit News reported. Bridgewater, 33, informed the Lions on Sunday that he planned to step away from the team. This is Bridgewater’s second retirement; he previously retired following the 2023 season before returning to Detroit for the 2024 campaign. Bridgewater was serving as a backup behind starter Jared Goff. The Lions have not named a replacement but will carry veteran options already on the roster through the preseason.
Sources: Detroit News
Cowboys and Rams Hold Joint Practice in Los Angeles; Myles Garrett Sits Out
The Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams held the first of two joint practice sessions Tuesday at Loyola Marymount University, ahead of their preseason game later this week. The primary storyline was the anticipated matchup between Dallas’s offensive line and Rams pass rusher Myles Garrett, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year acquired from Cleveland in June. Garrett did not participate, with a team spokesperson describing the absence as a scheduled rest day. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, the reigning NFL MVP, also sat out Tuesday’s practice with a planned day off. The two teams will hold a second joint session Wednesday before their preseason game.
Cam Ward Faces 49ers Defense in Joint Practice as Titans Prep for Preseason Opener
Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward faced off against the San Francisco 49ers defense Tuesday during a joint practice at SAP Performance Facility in Santa Clara, two days before the teams meet in a preseason game. Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has been building chemistry with receiver Carnell Tate throughout camp, connecting on multiple touchdowns in recent practices. The session represented Ward’s first extended look against an outside opponent. San Francisco star edge rusher Nick Bosa was not at full participation due to soreness, limiting the full competitive test for Ward’s offensive line.
Malik Nabers Returns to Giants Practice After Two-Week Absence With Back Issue
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers returned to practice Monday after missing nearly two weeks with a minor back injury, CBS Sports reported. Nabers, recovering from a torn ACL and meniscus sustained last October, turned in his sharpest work of the summer, running routes at close to full speed and making sharp cuts in individual drills. The Giants have managed his workload carefully and offered no specific target date for his return to full participation. Giants general manager Joe Schoen confirmed Monday that the medical staff has a clear plan in place and that Nabers remains on track for a potential Week 1 return.
Sources: CBS Sports
Christian McCaffrey Sits Out 49ers Practice With Tightness, Team Not Concerned
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey sat out Monday’s practice with what the team described as general tightness, the Washington Post reported. Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said McCaffrey was doing fine and that the absence was part of the team’s standard load-management approach for the veteran running back. The 49ers have structured their 2026 training camp schedule to avoid stretches of three consecutive full practice days. McCaffrey, 30, participated in every practice before Monday. San Francisco opens its preseason schedule Thursday at home against the Tennessee Titans, and Kubiak did not indicate any concern about McCaffrey’s availability for that game.
Sources: Washington Post
Colts and Patriots Open Joint Practices in Foxborough Ahead of Thursday Preseason Game
The Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots held the first of two joint practice sessions Tuesday at Foxborough, ahead of their preseason opener Thursday at Gillette Stadium. Among the marquee individual matchups was cornerback Sauce Gardner, acquired by Indianapolis from the New York Jets in 2025, against New England’s wide receiver group. The Patriots broadcast live from practice starting at 9:45 a.m. ET via their official channels. The teams will practice together again Wednesday before squaring off Thursday night in what will serve as both franchises’ first preseason action of 2026.
Sources: 985 The Sports Hub
American Conference Divisions
2026 NFL Preseason Standings
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. Pittsburgh Steelers — 0–0–0 — —
4. Cleveland Browns — 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. Kansas City Chiefs — 0–0–0 — —
2. Las Vegas Raiders — 0–0–0 — —
3. Denver Broncos — 0–0–0 — —
4. Los Angeles Chargers — 0–0–0 — —
National Conference Divisions
Regular season begins September 2026
NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles — 0–0–0 — —
2. Dallas Cowboys — 0–0–0 — —
3. New York Giants — 0–0–0 — —
4. Washington Commanders — 0–0–0 — —
NFC North
1. Detroit Lions — 0–0–0 — —
2. Green Bay Packers — 0–0–0 — —
3. Minnesota Vikings — 0–0–0 — —
4. Chicago Bears — 0–0–0 — —
NFC South
1. Carolina Panthers — 1–0–0 — —
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 0–0–0 — 0.5
3. New Orleans Saints — 0–0–0 — 0.5
4. Atlanta Falcons — 0–0–0 — 0.5
NFC West
1. Los Angeles Rams — 0–0–0 — —
2. San Francisco 49ers — 0–0–0 — —
3. Seattle Seahawks — 0–0–0 — —
4. Arizona Cardinals — 0–1–0 — 0.5
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency