Samwise NFL Newsletter
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Will Levis Clears Waivers Without a Taker, Becomes NFL Free Agent
The Tennessee Titans released quarterback Will Levis on August 30, and not one team filed a waiver claim. Levis cleared waivers and became an unrestricted free agent on September 1. Over two NFL seasons, he went 5-16 as a starter, completing 61 percent of passes for 3,899 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. He missed all of 2025 recovering from shoulder surgery after Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft, took over the starting job. With Ward and Mitch Trubisky running Tennessee’s quarterback room, no team wanted Levis on its 53-man roster.
Sources: CBS Sports
49ers WR Ricky Pearsall’s Season-Ending PCL Surgery Completed
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has undergone season-ending posterior cruciate ligament surgery and will miss the entire 2026 NFL season, general manager John Lynch confirmed. Pearsall dealt with persistent knee swelling throughout training camp stemming from a PCL injury first suffered during the 2025 season, leaving surgery as the only viable path. The procedure was completed this week. Recovery typically spans six to twelve months, meaning Pearsall is targeting San Francisco’s 2027 offseason program at the earliest. The 49ers now face a significant void in their receiving corps heading into the regular season.
NFL Season Opens September 9 with Seahawks Hosting Patriots in Super Bowl Rematch
The 2026 NFL regular season opens Wednesday, September 9 at Lumen Field in Seattle, where the defending champion Seahawks host the New England Patriots in a rematch of Super Bowl LX. Seattle defeated New England 29-13 in February to claim the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy under head coach Mike Macdonald. Kickoff is 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, marking the NFL’s first Wednesday opener since 2012. The Seahawks opened as 3.5-point home favorites. Week 1 spans four days and includes the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in Australia the following night, streaming on Netflix, before 13 games fill Sunday.
Sources: Fox Sports
Aaron Donald Joins Myles Garrett on Reloaded Rams Defensive Line
Defensive tackle Aaron Donald made the Los Angeles Rams’ 53-man roster after coming out of a two-year retirement, joining reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett on what is being called one of the most formidable defensive lines in NFL history. Donald, 35, signed a one-year deal worth $20 million guaranteed. He cited the Rams’ trade for Garrett from Cleveland as the primary catalyst for his return. ‘I talked to Myles. We’re teammates now. Hopefully we do some special things together,’ Donald said. Los Angeles went 3-0 in the preseason, outscoring opponents 74-30.
Odell Beckham Jr. Makes Giants 53-Man Roster in New York Comeback
Odell Beckham Jr. made the New York Giants’ initial 53-man roster, completing a homecoming after re-signing with the franchise on a one-year deal this offseason. The three-time Pro Bowl receiver launched his career in New York before being traded to Cleveland in 2019. His inclusion on the 53-man roster was among the more positive surprises of cut-down day, as many observers had questions about whether he would make the final roster. Beckham sat out the 2025 season to focus on family. Now 33, he joins a Giants receiving corps looking to support quarterback Daniel Jones.
Dolphins Lead Waiver Wire Activity with Seven Claims After Cut-Down Day
The Miami Dolphins led all NFL teams on the waiver wire following 53-man roster cut-down day, claiming seven players to address depth needs across multiple positions. The Dolphins had released linebacker Tyrel Dodson, a regular starter, making the additions necessary. Miami’s total was the highest claim count of any franchise. The 2026 waiver order ran inverse to the draft order, giving the Las Vegas Raiders first priority, which they used to claim defensive back Darrell Luter Jr. The New York Jets and Tennessee Titans were also active in the top five of the waiver priority order.
Sources: CBS Sports
Ja’Marr Chase Limited at Practice with Knee Issue Ahead of Bengals Opener
Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase was limited at practice Tuesday with a knee injury, an early health concern ahead of Week 1. Chase did not play in the preseason as the Bengals managed his workload through camp. The limitation is the first notable injury development for Chase heading into the regular season. Cincinnati opens 2026 hoping to return to playoff contention after a difficult 2025 campaign. Chase and quarterback Joe Burrow remain the pillars of the Bengals’ offense. The team expects Chase to be available for the opener and will monitor his practice status through the week.
Preseason Wrap: Rams Earn Top Grade, Falcons Fail Amid QB Uncertainty
The Los Angeles Rams earned the top preseason grade among all 32 NFL teams from CBS Sports, finishing the exhibition schedule 3-0 and outscoring opponents 74-30. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, the reigning league MVP, was efficient when he played, and the addition of Aaron Donald to a defense already anchored by Myles Garrett gave the unit a historically formidable look. The Atlanta Falcons received an F amid persistent quarterback uncertainty, with neither signal-caller separating himself over the summer. In the AFC North, the Baltimore Ravens also went 3-0, outscoring opponents 78-13 and flashing the defensive dominance that made them one of the league’s elite teams last season.
Sources: CBS Sports
2026 NFL Preseason Standings
AFC EAST
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bills | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| New England Patriots | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| New York Jets | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Miami Dolphins | 0 | 3 | 0 |
AFC NORTH
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Ravens | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Cleveland Browns | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 1 | 2 | 0 |
AFC SOUTH
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Tennessee Titans | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Houston Texans | 0 | 3 | 0 |
AFC WEST
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 0 | 2 | 1 |
NFC EAST
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| New York Giants | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Washington Commanders | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 0 | 3 | 0 |
NFC NORTH
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Detroit Lions | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Green Bay Packers | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 1 | 2 | 0 |
NFC SOUTH
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Panthers | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| New Orleans Saints | 1 | 2 | 0 |
NFC WEST
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Source: Pro Football Reference. Regular season begins September 9, 2026.
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