Samwise NFL Newsletter
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Panthers vs. Cardinals Opens 2026 NFL Preseason in Hall of Fame Game Tonight
The 2026 NFL preseason officially opens Thursday night when the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals meet in the Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. The matchup carries extra meaning this week: Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly and Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald are both members of the Class of 2026, set to be enshrined Saturday at the same stadium. Carolina is making its first Hall of Fame Game appearance since the Panthers entered the league in 1995, while Arizona is appearing for the sixth time and first since 2017.
Sources: CBS Sports
Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald Headline Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Enshrinement
Five NFL legends will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during enshrinement ceremonies at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday, August 8, at noon. The Class of 2026 includes quarterback Drew Brees, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, running back Roger Craig, linebacker Luke Kuechly, and placekicker Adam Vinatieri. The enshrinement week coincides with the opening of the NFL preseason, as Fitzgerald’s longtime Arizona Cardinals and Kuechly’s former Carolina Panthers play in Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game at the same stadium where the class will be honored Saturday.
Sources: Sports Illustrated
Falcons Linebacker Jalon Walker Tears ACL at Training Camp, Out for 2026 Season
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Jalon Walker will miss the entire 2026 season after tearing his left ACL during a training camp practice Tuesday. Walker, a first-round draft pick from the University of Georgia in 2025, was carted off the practice field and underwent imaging that confirmed the torn ACL diagnosis Wednesday. He recorded 36 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery during a strong rookie campaign, and Atlanta had expected Walker to be one of its key contributors on defense in 2026. Falcons outside linebackers coach John Timu described the season-ending injury as a “huge loss” for the team.
Stefon Diggs Signs With Washington Commanders on One-Year Deal
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs agreed to sign with the Washington Commanders on a one-year deal worth up to $12 million, according to the Associated Press, giving quarterback Jayden Daniels a proven veteran receiver alongside Terry McLaurin. Diggs, entering his 12th NFL season, produced 99 catches for 1,123 yards and five touchdowns with the New England Patriots in 2025, which included a Patriots playoff run to the Super Bowl. The deal was finalized just days before the start of the 2026 preseason, with Washington set to open their preseason while the Cardinals and Panthers meet in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton Thursday.
Sources: Washington Post
Baker Mayfield to Play Out Final Buccaneers Season After Contract Talks Stall
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield will enter the 2026 season on the final year of his three-year, $100 million contract after negotiations on an extension broke down during training camp, with no deal expected before the regular season. Mayfield publicly said he felt “disrespected” by the Buccaneers’ front office after the talks stalled, calling the result “very disappointing.” He is set to earn $40 million in the final year of the deal and is expected to become a free agent after the 2026 season. ESPN reported no real progress in talks, with Mayfield now planning to play out the current contract.
Shedeur Sanders Takes Early Lead Over Deshaun Watson in Browns QB Competition
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders has established an early edge in the team’s training camp competition with Deshaun Watson, with analysts noting Sanders is outperforming Watson through the first four days of camp. The Browns are alternating first-team reps between the two, with Watson working with the first team on odd practice days and Sanders on even days, per head coach Todd Monken. Sanders, who went 3–4 as the Browns’ starter over the final weeks of the 2025 season after taking over in Week 12, is building on that late-year momentum. General manager Andrew Berry declared the job fully open ahead of training camp, leaving the Week 1 starter undecided.
Rookie Carson Beck Named Cardinals Starting QB for Tonight’s Hall of Fame Game
Rookie quarterback Carson Beck will start for the Arizona Cardinals in Thursday night’s Hall of Fame Game against the Carolina Panthers in Canton, Ohio, first-year head coach Mike LaFleur confirmed. Beck, a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, has been competing in a three-way quarterback battle during training camp alongside veterans Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew. The Cardinals confirmed Beck as their starter for the preseason opener, giving the rookie his first NFL action. The Hall of Fame Game kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, with pregame coverage beginning at 7 p.m.
Sources: Arizona Cardinals
NFLPA Clears Panthers After Investigation Into Nic Scourton ACL Tear
The NFL Players Association has concluded its investigation into Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Nic Scourton’s training camp ACL tear and determined the team broke no rules. Scourton tore his ACL in his right knee on the first day of Panthers training camp practice, and the NFLPA opened an inquiry to determine whether Carolina violated collective bargaining agreement guidelines during the mandatory five-day acclimation period, which restricts high-intensity activity. The NFLPA reviewed video of the injury and confirmed no wrongdoing by the Panthers. Scourton, a 2024 second-round pick who recorded five sacks in his rookie season, has since been placed on injured reserve.
Sources: NBC Sports
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. Pittsburgh Steelers — 0–0–0
3. Cleveland Browns — 0–0–0
4. Cincinnati Bengals — 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 Football Conference
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. 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. New Orleans Saints — 0–0–0
2. Atlanta Falcons — 0–0–0
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 0–0–0
4. Carolina Panthers — 0–0–0
NFC West
1. Seattle Seahawks — 0–0–0
2. San Francisco 49ers — 0–0–0
3. Los Angeles Rams — 0–0–0
4. Arizona Cardinals — 0–0–0
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