NFL Preseason Week 1: Five Things to Watch

The first full week of preseason football got underway Thursday night with a Panthers-Patriots, Lions-Giants doubleheader, but there’s plenty more action on the way this weekend around the NFL. There are three games on the docket tonight, nine on Saturday and two scheduled for Sunday.

Unofficial depth charts are out and some coaches are keeping their cards close to their chest about whether fans will see certain rookies make their NFL debut or veterans take preseason reps. With so many position battles playing out around the league, rookies getting their feet wet and players either returning from injuries or taking the field for a new team, here are five things to watch in preseason Week 1.

Joe Burrow to Take Rare Preseason Snaps

If Burrow, who won a national championship and played in a Super Bowl, says he’s excited to play in an August exhibition, it should be an appearance worth watching. Along with other Cincinnati Bengals starters, Burrow is expected to play Saturday for the first time since he suffered a season-ending wrist injury in November.

Due to injuries and other extenuating circumstances, the former No. 1 overall pick has taken just three preseason snaps in his career. Somewhat relatedly, Cincinnati has gotten off to slow starts since Burrow was drafted in 2020.

Saturday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is an opportunity for Burrow to get in live reps with Cincinnati’s offseason additions, notably right tackle Trent Brown, running back Zack Moss and rookie receiver Jermaine Burton. Still, Burrow is unlikely to stay in for more than one possession. He said earlier this week his plan is to "score a touchdown and get outta there."

Marvin Harrison Jr.'s Potential NFL Debut

Harrison was regarded as one of the best wide receiver draft prospects ever when the Arizona Cardinals selected him with the fourth overall pick in April. He’s a Heisman Trophy finalist, Biletnikoff Award winner and son of Hall of Fame wideout Marvin Harrison. But it’s unclear when Arizona will debut its new offensive weapon.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon said last week Harrison “needs to get out there and play.” Harrison echoed that sentiment, saying “hopefully I get a chance to go out there and compete.” He even went as far as making a case for preseason games in college football. But after the Cardinals’ depth chart was released earlier this week, Gannon said who plays in the preseason will be “ case by case .”

Quarterback Kyler Murray won’t play at all in the preseason , so even if Harrison suits up Saturday against the New Orleans Saints, he’ll be catching passes from Desmond Ridder and/or Clayton Tune. Harrison has impressed so far during training camp and he’s a big reason why Arizona’s offense could take a step forward this season.

Titans’ New-Look Offense

The Tennessee Titans overhauled their offense this offseason with splashy free agent signings and a high draft pick. To add to the core of quarterback Will Levis, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and tight Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee signed receivers Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd, running back Tony Pollard, center Lloyd Cushenberry III and drafted tackle JC Latham with the seventh overall pick.

Tennessee also hired former Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan as head coach and he plans to play his starters in all three preseason games , the first of which is Saturday against the San Francisco 49ers. “We’ve got a lot of new faces and new people here,” Callahan said. “That’s an important part of the preseason for me, so our starters will play."

After their worst season since 2015, the Titans moved on from head coach Mike Vrabel and fan favorite Derrick Henry. The front office made the necessary moves to build around Levis, a second-round pick in 2023 who flashed at times but also struggled behind a porous offensive line. Though Hopkins (knee) is out, Saturday’s game will offer a first glimpse at what Callahan’s offense looks like with an upgraded supporting cast.

Steelers’ Revamped Offensive Line

While all eyes will be on Justin Fields in tonight’s game against the Houston Texans, the strength of the offensive line in front of him will be paramount to how he and Russell Wilson, two offseason quarterback acquisitions , perform this season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers struggled in pass protection last year, but they’ve now spent back-to-back first-round picks on tackles — Broderick Jones in 2023 and Troy Fautanu this April — to address their issues up front. Pittsburgh also selected center Zach Frazier in the second round and guard Mason McCormick in the fourth.

Fields and Wilson each took 55 sacks in 2022 and they were both among the league leaders again in 2023, so keeping them upright will be paramount in what figures to be a run-heavy Arthur Smith offense. Tonight’s game is an opportunity for Fields to build his case to start under center while Wilson works his way back from a calf injury, but it will also showcase the level of protection the winner of this quarterback competition can expect this season.

Eagles’ Deeper Secondary

The Philadelphia Eagles’ pass defense fell apart last year. The No. 1 unit in 2022 when Philadelphia made it to the Super Bowl plummeted to 31st in 2023. Only the Washington Commanders allowed more passing yards per game. Darius Slay and James Bradberry IV are both back after that precipitous drop-off, but general manager Howie Roseman made it a priority to strengthen the secondary this offseason.

Cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean were both selected with top-40 draft picks. Philadelphia also reunited with safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency and has Isaiah Rodgers returning from a one-year suspension. Kelee Ringo, a second-round pick in 2023 who made four starts as a rookie, is expected to contend for the starting job opposite Slay at cornerback. New defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has options to choose from.

It’s not clear whether the Eagles’ starters will see the field Saturday against the Ravens. In the past, head coach Nick Sirianni has sat his starters in the preseason, but a few players seem to believe the starters might suit up in Baltimore . Gardner-Johnson (shoulder) and DeJean (hamstring) have both dealt with injuries in camp, so they might be sidelined. Either way, Philadelphia’s newfound depth in the secondary will be on display.

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