NFL Preseason Week 2: Everything You Need to Know (Simple Guide)

Quick Note: This covers games from August 21–24, 2026. The regular season starts soon, and teams must cut their rosters to 53 players by August 30.

What Is the Preseason? (ELI5)

Think of the preseason like practice games before the real season starts.

• Teams play 3 games (used to be 4).
• Starters play very little—mostly backups and rookies fight for roster spots.
• Coaches use these games to decide who makes the final 53-man team.
• Injuries matter a lot—a big injury can change everything.

Thursday’s Games (August 21)

San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Chargers

49ers: Who Catches Passes & Who Blocks?

• Jacob Cowing (rookie WR) scored on an 83-yard punt return!
  • Why it matters: Special teams (kicking/punting plays) can save a roster spot. Cowing is now the best punt returner on the team.
• Left Guard Battle: Three guys fighting for one spot—Carver Willis (rookie), Connor Colby, Robert Jones. None has won the job yet. Austen Pleasants jumped in Thursday too.

KEY TAKEAWAY: Cowing’s big return likely locks him on the 53-man roster. The guard spot is still wide open.

Chargers: Can a Rookie Start at Center?

• Tyler Biadasz (starting center) tore his ACL—out for the year.
• Jake Slaughter (2nd-round rookie) stepped in Thursday: 9 snaps, 0 pressures allowed.
  • Translation: He didn’t let anyone push him backward. Good start!

KEY TAKEAWAY: Slaughter is likely the Week 1 starter unless he struggles badly next week.

Las Vegas Raiders vs. Houston Texans

Raiders: Is Their Young Secondary Ready?

• Three rookie corners (Darien Porter, Jermod McCoy, Hezekiah Masses) + rookie safety Treydan Stukes.
• Problem: They’ve struggled in coverage two games in a row.
  • Example: Texans backup QB Davis Mills completed 11 of 15 passes (73%) in the first half Thursday.
• Reality Check: This group might be good in a year or two, but expecting them to fix last year’s pass defense right now is a big ask.

IMPORTANT: Raiders’ secondary = lots of potential, lots of growing pains.

Texans: The $36 Million Backup Problem?

• Houston signed Braden Smith (RT, $20M) & Wyatt Teller (G, $16M) to START.
• Thursday: Both played with the second team!
• Starters Thursday: Trent Brown (LT), Aireontae Ersery (RT), Keylan Rutledge (LG—moved from center), Evan Brown (C), Ed Ingram (RG).
• Big Question: Do you pay $36M for backups? Or shuffle the line?

KEY TAKEAWAY: Texans have tough decisions on the O-line before Week 1.

Friday’s Games (August 22)

New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Jets: Who Backs Up Geno Smith?

• Cade Klubnik (rookie QB) had a meh game: 5 drives, 0 points, 10/14 for 75 yards.
• Steelers played starters for 2 series—Klubnik got a taste of real speed.
• Verdict: Jets probably keep Klubnik as QB2, but could still look outside if they want.

Other Jets Battles:

• Safety: Andre Cisco (INT!) vs. Dane Belton (started, 4 tackles). Close.
• WR3: Omar Cooper Jr. (started, 1 catch/9 yds) vs. Isaiah Williams (fumble, but recovered). Too close to call.

KEY TAKEAWAY: Klubnik likely QB2. Safety & WR3 battles undecided.

Steelers: Four QBs = Cut Someone Else?

• Mason Rudolph (QB2) didn’t play—spot seems safe.
• Will Howard struggled. Drew Allar (rookie) couldn’t repeat Week 1 magic.
• Result: Steelers leaning toward keeping 4 QBs (rare!).
• Consequence: Must cut from another position—likely offensive line or safety (vets like Brock Hoffman & Jalen Ramsey have flexibility).

IMPORTANT: Keeping 4 QBs means a good player at another position gets cut.

Carolina Panthers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Panthers: Need a Second Starting ILB?

• Devin Lloyd (starter) didn’t play.
• Trevin Wallace & Claudin Cherelus started—neither has pulled ahead.
• Likely: Panthers sign a veteran free-agent LB before/after cut day.

KEY TAKEAWAY: Panthers will probably add a vet linebacker.

Jaguars: Running Back Depth Crisis?

• LeQuint Allen Jr. (rookie) out for camp (soft tissue injury).
• If he’s not ready Week 1: Need a 3rd RB behind Chris Rodriguez Jr. & Bhayshul Tuten.
• Options:
  1. Ameer Abdullah (vet) – 45 rush yds, 3 catches/37 yds vs. Panthers.
  2. J’Mari Taylor (UDFA) – 78 yds/TD Week 1, but 3 yds on 4 carries Friday.
• Decision: Who can they stash on the practice squad?

KEY TAKEAWAY: Jaguars’ RB3 spot = Abdullah’s experience vs. Taylor’s upside.

Green Bay Packers vs. Denver Broncos

Packers: Keep 4 Running Backs?

• Josh Jacobs (starter) has legal issues—possible suspension?
• Even if no suspension: Pierre Strong Jr. = best kickoff returner (68-yd return Friday!). Also ran well (8 carries, 37 yds, 4.6 avg).
• Roster Math:
  1. Jacobs (if available)
  2. MarShawn Lloyd
  3. Chris Brooks (3rd-down/pass block specialist)
  4. Pierre Strong Jr. (returner + change-of-pace)
• If Jacobs suspended → Strong 100% makes it.

KEY TAKEAWAY: Strong’s return ability forces Packers to consider 4 RBs.

Packers Kicker: Trey Smack = Legit?

• Practice: 9 misses this summer.
• Games: Perfect! 3/3 Week 1 (two 58-yders, one wiped by penalty), 4/4 Friday (51, 59, 43, 38).
• Verdict: Game performance > practice struggles. He’s the guy.

GOOD NEWS: Smack has won the kicking job.

Broncos: Safety Depth Shuffle

• Starters: Talanoa Hufanga & Brandon Jones.
• Signed vet Taylor Rapp this week → need more experience behind starters.
• Backups:
  • Devon Key = most consistent (All-Pro special teamer last year).
  • JL Skinner & Tycen Anderson = mostly special teams, inconsistent on defense.
• Coaches remember: Defense struggled last year when Jones was out.
• Also tough calls at: Inside LB & offensive line.

KEY TAKEAWAY: Broncos prioritizing safety depth; Key leads backups.

Saturday’s Games (August 23) — 10 Games!

Watch: Check local listings / NFL Network / ESPN+.

Sunday’s Game (August 24)

Note: First Sunday Night Football of the preseason!

Summary: Biggest Storylines After Week 2

1. QB Battles: Jets (Klubnik likely QB2), Steelers (4 QBs?), others still open.
2. Injuries Change Everything: Chargers lose Biadasz (ACL), Jaguars lose Allen Jr.
3. Rookie Impact: Cowing (49ers return TD), Slaughter (Chargers center), Klubnik (Jets QB), Allar (Steelers QB).
4. Roster Math Crunches: Steelers (4 QBs = cut elsewhere), Packers (4 RBs?), Texans ($36M backups?), Broncos (safety depth).
5. Position Battles Unresolved: 49ers LG, Jets S/WR3, Panthers ILB, Jaguars RB3, Broncos S/ILB/OL.
6. Special Teams Matter: Cowing (PR), Strong Jr. (KR), Smack (K) — can lock a spot.
7. Veteran Adds Coming: Panthers (LB), maybe others post-cut day.

FAQ: Your Preseason Questions Answered

1. Why do preseason games matter if they don’t count?

They’re job interviews for backups & rookies. Coaches evaluate live tackling, speed, decision-making—things you can’t see in practice. Also, injuries here change rosters.

2. What’s the "53-man roster" and "cut-down deadline"?

NFL teams can only have 53 players on the active roster for the regular season. August 30 is the deadline to cut from ~90 (camp) to 53. Practice squad (16 players) is separate.

3. What’s a "UDFA"?

Undrafted Free Agent — a player not picked in the NFL Draft, signed afterward. J’Mari Taylor (Jaguars RB) is one. Many UDFAs make teams!

4. Why would a team keep 4 quarterbacks?

Usually teams keep 2 or 3. 4 QBs means extra insurance (Steelers like Rudolph, Howard, Allar development) but costs a spot at another position (OL, safety, etc.).

5. How do special teams affect roster spots?

Huge! The last 5–10 roster spots often go to core special teamers (gunners, returners, coverage). Cowing’s 83-yd PR TD & Strong’s 68-yd KR = roster locks.

Final Thought

Week 2 gave us clarity on some battles (Cowing, Slaughter, Smack) and chaos on others (49ers LG, Steelers roster math, Texans O-line).
Week 3 (final preseason week) = last chance to impress. Then cut day (Aug 30) → Week 1 prep begins!

Stay tuned—roster moves happen fast now!