Samwise NFL Newsletter
Sunday, August 9, 2026
Commanders Lose Pro Bowl LT Laremy Tunsil to Torn Triceps
Washington Commanders Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil tore his triceps during training camp practice Saturday, a source confirmed to ESPN, and is expected to require surgery that will sideline him for most or all of the 2026 season. The injury occurred during a one-on-one pass-rush drill when Tunsil attempted to stifle a bull rush from linebacker Odafe Oweh. Washington signed Tunsil to a two-year, $60.2 million extension this past spring, making him the NFL's first $30-million-per-year offensive lineman. Veteran Andrew Wylie is expected to take over at left tackle, leaving quarterback Jayden Daniels without his blindside protector entering the regular season.
Brees, Fitzgerald, Kuechly Lead Class of 2026 Into Hall of Fame
Five NFL greats were enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald, both first-ballot inductees, headlined the Class of 2026. Linebacker Luke Kuechly, kicker Adam Vinatieri and running back Roger Craig joined them in Canton. Vinatieri, the NFL's all-time leading scorer and a four-time Super Bowl winner, received an emotional ovation from the crowd. The ceremony capped a week of Hall of Fame festivities in Canton that began with Thursday's preseason opener. The event aired on ESPN and NFL Network.
Sources: Yardbarker
Lamar Jackson Embraces Life Under Center in New Ravens Offense
Lamar Jackson is lining up under center more than at any point in his NFL career, and the Baltimore Ravens quarterback says the transition feels natural. Embracing new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle's multiple-formation system under coach Jesse Minter, Jackson said Saturday he is "extremely comfortable" with the change. "In youth football I was under center — I haven't been consistently under center since youth football," Jackson told reporters, per the team transcript. "I feel like it will help us out a lot — identifying the defense, really keeping the defense on their toes." Jackson called the new offense "night and day" from prior systems, adding: "The sky's the limit."
Murray Takes Clear Edge Over McCarthy in Vikings QB Battle
Kyler Murray continued to separate himself in the Minnesota Vikings quarterback competition through eight days of training camp, taking roughly two-thirds of the first-team offensive snaps in 11-on-11 drills at Saturday's practice in Eagan. Murray, signed on a one-year deal after the Arizona Cardinals released him in March, has impressed coaches and media observers with his accuracy and consistency throughout camp. J.J. McCarthy, the 2024 first-round pick who has missed significant time with injuries in each of his first two seasons, worked primarily with the second team. Head coach Kevin O'Connell has not publicly named a starter, but insiders tracking the competition describe Murray as the heavy favorite.
Sources: Star Tribune
Browns QB Situation Unclear After Sanders Unexpectedly Works With Second Team
A puzzling sequence unfolded at Cleveland Browns training camp Saturday when quarterback Shedeur Sanders, despite head coach Todd Monken's pregame statement that Sanders would take most of the first-team reps, found himself working primarily with the second-team offense. Deshaun Watson remained with the first unit while Dillon Gabriel also received significant second-team snaps. The unexpected development prompted speculation about a potential shift in Cleveland's approach. Sanders, in his second NFL season, had posted a 70.3 percent completion rate through camp, leading all Browns quarterbacks. Monken offered no public clarification, saying the team is focused on being in the development business.
Sources: Cleveland 19
Gibbs Stages Hold-In at Lions Camp as Contract Talks Continue
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs attended Back Together Weekend Saturday but did not practice, staging a hold-in while seeking a new contract extension, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported. Gibbs appeared at the Lions facility for the first time this training camp but declined to take part in drills as negotiations continued. According to Rapoport, Gibbs is expected to sign a deal worth more than $20 million per year when an extension is finalized. Detroit opened Back Together Weekend — the league's first public camp weekend — with Gibbs on the sidelines as the Lions and their star back continue working toward an agreement.
Sources: NFL.com / NFL Network
Watt Embraces McCarthy's 'Tempered' Identity in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt is embracing the change that came with new head coach Mike McCarthy. McCarthy replaced Mike Tomlin and introduced a new team identity: "Tempered," named after the steel-hardening process. "To not hear the Tomlin-isms in meetings, to not have that deep, loud voice talking to you is different, but it's been a really good change," Watt told NFL Network Saturday. In his 10th season, Watt said the fresh environment feels "like the first day of school." Quarterback Aaron Rodgers also credited McCarthy's hiring for reviving his career, saying the coach "put his foot in the door" that had nearly closed on him.
Reid Says Mahomes 'Safe to Roll'; Kenneth Walker Wows Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid gave a cautiously optimistic update on quarterback Patrick Mahomes at Back Together Weekend Saturday, saying the Chiefs QB is "safe to roll" in camp as he works back from injury. "Just keeping an eye on him and letting the doctors guide us from there. As long as he's safe, that's what we're looking at," Reid told ESPN's Dan Graziano. Mahomes is targeting Week 1 against the Denver Broncos for his return. Reid also raved about new running back Kenneth Walker III: "This kid, he's a special player. He catches the football well, and he didn't really do a ton of that in Seattle."
Brock Purdy Stays Hot Through First Eight Days of 49ers Camp
Brock Purdy turned in another sharp performance at San Francisco 49ers training camp Saturday, completing 12 of 17 passes during team periods and spreading the ball to multiple receivers on Day 8 of camp. Purdy has drawn consistent praise from coaches and observers since the opening of camp, with defensive coordinator Raheem Morris citing his focus and competitiveness in daily work against the first-team defense. The 49ers have dealt with significant injury setbacks in camp, most notably the season-ending PCL surgery of wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. San Francisco opens the 2026 regular season against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia in an international Week 1 matchup.
Sources: Yardbarker
AFC Divisions
AFC East
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Miami Dolphins — 0–0–0
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New England Patriots — 0–0–0
AFC North
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Pittsburgh Steelers — 0–0–0
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AFC South
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Indianapolis Colts — 0–0–0
Jacksonville Jaguars — 0–0–0
Tennessee Titans — 0–0–0
AFC West
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Los Angeles Chargers — 0–0–0
Denver Broncos — 0–0–0
Las Vegas Raiders — 0–0–0
NFC Divisions
NFC East
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Dallas Cowboys — 0–0–0
Washington Commanders — 0–0–0
New York Giants — 0–0–0
NFC North
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Minnesota Vikings — 0–0–0
Green Bay Packers — 0–0–0
Chicago Bears — 0–0–0
NFC South
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 0–0–0
New Orleans Saints — 0–0–0
Carolina Panthers — 0–0–0
NFC West
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Seattle Seahawks — 0–0–0
Los Angeles Rams — 0–0–0
Arizona Cardinals — 0–0–0
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