Samwise NFL Newsletter
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Dolphins Lead NFL With Seven Waiver Claims After Roster Cutdowns
The Miami Dolphins claimed seven players off the waiver wire following Sunday’s 53-man roster cutdowns — more than any other team. Using their sixth overall waiver priority, Miami secured quarterback Brady Cook from the New York Jets, tight end Justin Joly from the Denver Broncos, offensive tackles Chukwuebuka Godrick and Jarrett Kingston, and three defensive backs: Marcellas Dial, Reese Taylor, and Julius Wood. The secondary remains a notable concern heading into the 2026 season, prompting three of the seven claims to address that position. Teams had until 1 p.m. ET Monday, August 31 to submit waiver claims.
Sources: CBS Sports
Lions Place Isiah Pacheco on IR; RB to Miss First Four Games
The Detroit Lions placed running back Isiah Pacheco on injured reserve Tuesday, September 1, ending his chance to play in Detroit’s first four regular-season games. Pacheco, acquired as a free agent this offseason after four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, is dealing with an MCL sprain and a back injury sustained during training camp. He must sit out a minimum of four games before he can return, meaning he will miss matchups against the New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, and Carolina Panthers. Detroit will rely on star rusher Jahmyr Gibbs, with Sione Vaki, Jacob Saylors, and Jabari Small as depth options.
Ashton Jeanty Returns to Raiders Practice; Week 1 Status Uncertain
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty returned to the practice field Tuesday, September 1, working with trainers on the side — his first appearance since spraining his right ankle during a joint practice on August 23. Jeanty, a 2026 NFL Draft selection, suffered the injury while diving for a pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins and could not put weight on his right leg immediately after. Head coach Klint Kubiak said the team is counting on Jeanty for Las Vegas’s Week 1 opener against the Miami Dolphins on September 13. Las Vegas will release its first official injury report of the 2026 season Wednesday.
Sources: The Big Lead
Will Levis Goes Unclaimed on Waivers, Becomes NFL Free Agent
Will Levis, released by the Tennessee Titans during Sunday’s 53-man roster cutdowns, cleared the waiver wire unclaimed Monday and is now a free agent, free to sign with any NFL team. The 27-year-old quarterback started 21 games for Tennessee across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, throwing 21 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, before undergoing shoulder surgery and missing all of 2025. No team submitted a claim, surprising some observers given his starting experience. Levis can sign with any club’s active roster or practice squad. Teams such as the Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been mentioned as potential landing spots.
Sources: NBC Sports
49ers and Rams to Play NFL’s First-Ever Game in Australia on Netflix
The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will play the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game on Australian soil Thursday, September 10, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The game kicks off at 8:35 p.m. ET — 10:35 a.m. Friday in Melbourne — and will be carried exclusively on Netflix, continuing the platform’s expansion into live NFL broadcasts. The NFC West rivalry matchup falls in Week 1 of the 2026 season. The game marks another step in the NFL’s global expansion, following successful regular-season games previously held in London, Frankfurt, and Madrid. The league officially announced the date and kickoff time this week.
Sources: FOX Sports
NFL 2026 Season Opens With Seahawks–Patriots Super Bowl LX Rematch
The 2026 NFL regular season opens Wednesday, September 9, with a marquee matchup as the defending Super Bowl LX champion Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots in a rematch of February’s championship game. Seattle claimed its third Lombardi Trophy last February, defeating New England to win Super Bowl 60. The full Week 1 slate spans 16 games across four days, with no team on a bye. Among notable matchups: the Kansas City Chiefs host the Denver Broncos on Monday, September 14. The season’s lone international game, 49ers-Rams in Melbourne, Australia, kicks off Thursday, September 10 on Netflix.
Rams Enter 2026 Season as NFL’s Top-Ranked Team; Seahawks Second
The Los Angeles Rams enter the 2026 NFL regular season as the consensus top-ranked team, according to ESPN’s final preseason power rankings, with the defending Super Bowl LX champion Seattle Seahawks ranked second. The Rams bolstered their roster significantly this offseason, highlighted by the return of three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald on a one-year, $20 million deal. The Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, and Philadelphia Eagles round out the top five in most projections. The Arizona Cardinals are rated last overall after posting a 3-14 record in 2025 under head coach Jonathan Gannon, who was subsequently fired. The season begins September 9.
NFL Practice Squad Tracker: All 32 Teams Building Rosters Ahead of Week 1
All 32 NFL teams began assembling their 16-man practice squads starting Monday, September 1, one day after the 53-man roster cutdown deadline. Notable early signings include running back Dameon Pierce to the Philadelphia Eagles, defensive tackle Gabe Hall and offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie also joining Philadelphia, tight end Josiah Deguara and wide receiver Kobe Prentice to the New York Giants, and cornerback Brandon Codrington and defensive lineman Vincent Anthony Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers. Practice squads allow teams to retain developing players and add up to two veterans per week. Rosters can be elevated for individual game weeks during the regular season.
AFC Standings
Regular season begins September 9
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC East | |||
| Buffalo Bills | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Miami Dolphins | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New England Patriots | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New York Jets | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AFC North | |||
| Baltimore Ravens | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cleveland Browns | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AFC South | |||
| Houston Texans | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tennessee Titans | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AFC West | |||
| Denver Broncos | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
NFC Standings
Regular season begins September 9
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFC East | |||
| Dallas Cowboys | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New York Giants | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Washington Commanders | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NFC North | |||
| Chicago Bears | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Detroit Lions | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Green Bay Packers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NFC South | |||
| Atlanta Falcons | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Carolina Panthers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New Orleans Saints | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NFC West | |||
| Arizona Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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