Samwise NFL Newsletter
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
NFL to Review 49ers Owner Jed York Under Personal Conduct Policy
The NFL confirmed Tuesday it will review 49ers owner and CEO Jed York’s case under the league’s personal conduct policy, following York’s no-contest plea to misdemeanor charges stemming from his arrest in a prostitution sting in East Palestine, Ohio. York, 46, entered the plea to disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools, paid $1,150 in fines, and was sentenced to time served. Commissioner Roger Goodell can fine owners up to $500,000 or suspend them from team operations. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the matter Tuesday, saying the arrest has no effect on the football organization.
Sources: NBC Sports PFT
Vikings Suspend WR Jeshaun Jones Three Games for Substance Abuse Violation
The NFL suspended Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jeshaun Jones three games Tuesday for violating the league’s substances of abuse policy. Jones will miss the Vikings’ first three regular-season games, with eligibility to return as early as September 28. The league did not disclose the specific substance involved, in line with a 2024 policy change removing public disclosure requirements. Jones spent the previous two seasons on the Vikings’ practice squad before earning a spot on the active roster and appearing in the final game of the 2025 regular season. He was expected to compete for a depth receiver role in Minnesota’s offense this fall.
Sources: Fox Sports
Cowboys Backup QB Competition Remains Tight Ahead of Preseason Finale
Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback candidates Joe Milton III and Sam Howell remained so evenly matched through two preseason games that head coach Brian Schottenheimer declined to name a winner Wednesday, saying the competition extends to Friday’s preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints. Through two exhibitions, Milton completed 21 of 28 passes for 286 yards with three touchdown passes and a rushing score, while Howell went 15 of 22 for 159 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The winner earns the role as Dak Prescott’s primary backup. Dallas must finalize its 53-man roster by August 30.
Sources: NBC Sports PFT
Kareem Hunt Visits Detroit Lions Amid Running Back Injuries
Veteran running back Kareem Hunt visited the Detroit Lions on Tuesday as the team weighs its backfield depth behind starter Jahmyr Gibbs. Detroit has three running backs currently sidelined with injuries, creating a potential need for an experienced option. Hunt, 31, spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, recording 754 total yards and nine touchdowns on 181 touches in 2025 before becoming a free agent. He ran for more than 800 yards in each of his first two NFL seasons in Cleveland. No signing was announced Tuesday, and the visit remains exploratory ahead of the September 9 opener.
Sources: NBC Sports
WR Calvin Austin III Carted Off at Giants Practice with Knee Injury
Wide receiver Calvin Austin III was carted off the New York Giants’ practice field Tuesday after going down with a right knee injury during a one-on-one drill. Austin grabbed his right knee before being helped off the field and taken to the training room. He joined the Giants this offseason after three seasons in Pittsburgh, where he served primarily as a return specialist and depth receiver. The severity of the injury was not immediately disclosed. In separate news from Giants camp, kicker Jason Sanders won the team’s starting competition. Sanders spent the previous six seasons in Miami and was named All-Pro in 2020.
Texans Lose DE Dylan Horton, Seahawks Hit by Multiple IR Placements
Several NFL teams absorbed significant personnel losses Tuesday following the conclusion of preseason Week 2. The Houston Texans placed defensive end Dylan Horton on injured reserve with a feared torn Achilles tendon, likely ending his 2026 season. The Seattle Seahawks placed safety Bud Clark and offensive lineman Mason Richman on injured reserve. Clark, a second-round pick in 2025, had been projected as a starter in Seattle’s defensive backfield. Head coach Mike Macdonald had previously noted wide receiver Tory Horton would also be out for an extended period. Seattle begins the regular season September 9 against the New England Patriots.
Washington Commanders Sign Veteran Offensive Tackle D.J. Humphries
The Washington Commanders signed veteran offensive tackle D.J. Humphries to a one-year contract Tuesday, adding experienced depth at the position heading into the final week of the preseason. Humphries, 33, spent eight seasons in Arizona as the Cardinals’ starting left tackle before his contract expired following the 2024 season. He did not play during the 2025 season before returning to the league with Washington. The Commanders face the 53-man roster cut deadline on August 30. Washington opens the 2026 regular season September 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.
Sources: NBC Sports PFT
Eagles First-Round Rookie WR Makai Lemon Returns to Full Practice
Philadelphia Eagles first-round rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon returned to practice as a full participant Tuesday, running 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills for the first time in weeks after dealing with a recurring hamstring injury. Lemon, a USC product selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, re-aggravated the same hamstring that limited him during the offseason program, causing him to miss several weeks of training camp. He told reporters he is confident the injury will not carry into the regular season and that he has been building chemistry with quarterback Jalen Hurts during his absence. The Eagles open September 7 against Washington.
2026 NFL Preseason Standings
AFC East
1. Bills — 2–0–0
2. Patriots — 1–0–1
3. Jets — 1–1–0
4. Dolphins — 0–2–0
AFC North
1. Ravens — 2–0–0
1. Bengals — 2–0–0
3. Steelers — 1–1–0
4. Browns — 0–2–0
AFC South
1. Titans — 2–0–0
2. Jaguars — 1–1–0
3. Colts — 0–1–1
4. Texans — 0–2–0
AFC West
1. Raiders — 1–1–0
1. Broncos — 1–1–0
1. Chargers — 1–1–0
4. Chiefs — 0–2–0
NFC East
1. Cowboys — 2–0–0
2. Giants — 1–1–0
2. Commanders — 1–1–0
4. Eagles — 0–2–0
NFC North
1. Bears — 1–1–0
1. Lions — 1–1–0
1. Packers — 1–1–0
1. Vikings — 1–1–0
NFC South
1. Buccaneers — 2–0–0
2. Falcons — 1–1–0
2. Panthers — 1–1–0
4. Saints — 0–2–0
NFC West
1. Rams — 2–0–0
2. 49ers — 1–1–0
2. Cardinals — 1–1–0
4. Seahawks — 0–2–0
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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