Samwise NFL Newsletter
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Cowboys Lock Up DT Quinnen Williams With Historic $105.9 Million Extension
The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to a three-year, $105.9 million contract extension with defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, the team announced. The deal includes $101 million in total guarantees and $63.35 million guaranteed at signing, the most guaranteed at signing for a defensive tackle in NFL history. At $35.3 million per year, Williams becomes the second-highest-paid defensive tackle in the league. Dallas acquired Williams from the New York Jets in a 2025 midseason trade, sending Mazi Smith, a second-round pick, and a conditional first-round pick to New York. Williams is now under contract through the 2030 season.
Vikings Name Kyler Murray Week 1 Starter, Ending Training Camp QB Battle With McCarthy
The Minnesota Vikings ended their training camp quarterback competition Tuesday, naming veteran Kyler Murray the Week 1 starter for the 2026 season over second-year player J.J. McCarthy, head coach Kevin O'Connell announced. Minnesota signed Murray to a one-year deal in March after his release from Arizona. The 29-year-old took a larger share of first-team reps during camp, showing improved accuracy and rhythm throughout summer workouts. O'Connell said the move allows Murray a full month of practice with the starting offense before the regular season opens September 13 against the Green Bay Packers. McCarthy will serve as Murray's backup.
Browns Tab Watson to Start Preseason Opener, Sanders Gets Week 2 Start
The Cleveland Browns have handed veteran Deshaun Watson the starting role in their preseason opener Saturday against the Chicago Bears, head coach Todd Monken confirmed Wednesday. Shedeur Sanders is slated to start the second preseason game against the Bills the following week. Watson, returning fully healthy after missing all of the 2025 season due to injury, said his game has evolved at age 30. Sanders, a 2025 fifth-round pick, made seven starts last season after being elevated from the bench. Monken said he has not yet named a quarterback for the regular season opener and plans to evaluate both players through the preseason.
Tua Tagovailoa to Start Falcons Preseason Opener as Penix Jr. Still Not Cleared
Tua Tagovailoa will start Friday night's Atlanta Falcons preseason opener against the Denver Broncos, head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Wednesday, though the former Miami Dolphin has not been named the team's Week 1 starter. The quarterback competition in Atlanta remains unresolved due to the ongoing recovery of Michael Penix Jr., who suffered a torn ACL last season and has yet to be cleared for 11-on-11 team drills. Veteran Cooper Rush, signed earlier this month, will enter after Tagovailoa on Friday. Stefanski said he has not yet made a starting quarterback decision for the regular season, which opens September 13.
Veteran TE Darren Waller Signs With Panthers, Reunites With Former Coordinator
Free agent tight end Darren Waller is returning to the NFL on a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers, multiple reports confirmed Wednesday. Waller, 33, came out of retirement last season with the Miami Dolphins, catching six touchdown passes in nine appearances and proving himself a capable red-zone weapon. The addition reunites him with new Panthers associate head coach Darrell Bevell, who served as Miami's passing game coordinator when the two worked together in 2025. Carolina, hosting the Buffalo Bills in their preseason opener Saturday, adds a veteran pass-catcher with postseason experience to a roster still in transition.
Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks Cleared to Play Saturday in First Game Since 2024 ACL Tear
Panthers head coach Dave Canales confirmed Wednesday that running back Jonathon Brooks will play in Saturday's preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, a significant milestone for a player who missed all of last season. Brooks, a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, tore his ACL during his rookie campaign and did not play a single regular-season snap in 2025. Canales said Brooks “looks like the guy that I remember” in camp and noted that the running back has been moving around the formation in practice. Saturday will mark Brooks's first NFL game action in more than a year.
Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka Suffers Toe Sprain at Jets Joint Practice, Misses Opener
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka suffered a toe sprain during Wednesday's joint practice with the New York Jets, limping off the field with trainers and not returning to the session, per ESPN. The injury occurred when Egbuka's foot was rolled up on while making a catch during team drills. Egbuka, who caught 63 passes for 938 yards and six touchdowns last season, is not expected to play in Friday's preseason opener against New York. While the injury is considered minor, toe injuries can linger. The Buccaneers are monitoring his status as the preseason gets underway.
Giants WR Malik Nabers Rejoins Team Drills, Trending Toward Week 1 Return vs. Cowboys
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers has rejoined team drills at training camp and is trending toward availability for the regular season opener against the Dallas Cowboys, per CBS Sports. Nabers underwent ACL reconstruction and meniscus surgery after suffering a knee injury in Week 4 of the 2025 season and then required a cleanup procedure this spring to remove scar tissue that caused stiffness. The Giants have been monitoring his workload on a day-by-day basis throughout camp. During recent practice sessions, Nabers has been making sharper cuts and running crisper routes as his recovery continues to progress.
Sources: CBS Sports
American League Divisions
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. Kansas City Chiefs — 0–0–0
2. Denver Broncos — 0–0–0
3. Las Vegas Raiders — 0–0–0
4. Los Angeles Chargers — 0–0–0
National League Divisions
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. Carolina Panthers — 1–0–0 (HOF Game)
2. Atlanta Falcons — 0–0–0
3. New Orleans Saints — 0–0–0
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 0–0–0
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 (HOF Game)
2026 regular season begins September 13. Preseason Week 1 games in progress. HOF Game result: Panthers 33, Cardinals 30 (Aug. 6).
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