Roster Cuts Shake Up NFL as Aaron Donald Returns From Retirement

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August 31, 2026

After the final day of roster cuts in the NFL, there were several noteworthy transactions. Some players who were presumed to be traded or cut ultimately stayed with their reams. Vikings quarterback J.J. remains on the 53-man roster. He lost out on the job to newly acquired Kyler Murray. There was a lot of speculation regarding possible trade scenarios. The former first-round selection will remain the backup this season. He has only played in only ten games in his first two seasons due to constant injuries.

Photo Cred: NBC

Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson finds himself in a very similar situation. Richardson has battled constant injuries. The former first rounder has not shown enough on the field to make him a starting quarterback. After losing his starting job to Daniel Jones before last season, there have been rumors of a potential trade. The Colts and Richardson’s agent both agreed to seek a trade partner after the end of last season. Nothing has materialized, and he remains the backup in Indianapolis.

Meanwhile, the Super Bowl-favorite Rams just grew even stronger. They are bringing defensive tackle Aaron Donald out of a two-year retirement. The former three-time Defensive Player of the Year was still playing at a Pro Bowl level last time he was on the field. He was still one of the five best interior defensive linemen in the league. Now at 35 years old, it remains to be seen how his impact will be. Will he be an every-down player or simply a rotational and situational player?

However, the pressure is not on Donald to regain his prime form, as the Rams have several other good defensive linemen, spearheaded by newly acquired Myles Garrett, who is coming off his second career Defensive Player of the Year award after breaking the NFL single-season sack record. On paper, nobody else comes close to the Rams this season. Age and injury appear to be their biggest adversaries heading into the season, not an actual team.

Bears vs Titans Preseason Week #3: Key Takeaways

By

Jaxson Love

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August 30, 2026

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Football is back and better than ever. College football is back but we also have the last few remaining games of the NFL preseason. Among these overshadowed preseason matchups, we have the Saturday night battle between the Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears. This game went deep into the roster to determine the mandatory cuts that these teams have to make. With all that being said, let’s get into the key takeaways from this underappreciated preseason game.

Photo Cred: ESPN

Disclaimer – this is NFL Preseason football. If I say someone looked good on the field, that does not mean I think they are a future superstar. All I am saying is that they had a good game, and vice versa.

Key Takeaways:

Zavion Thomas Is Fast

When the Chicago Bears drafted LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas in the third round of the NFL Draft, fans and analysts alike were confused. Thomas was a raw prospect with only one thing that jumped off the page in his player profile: his speed. Thomas ran the fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine with a staggering time of 4.28 seconds. The concern about whether he could translate to the NFL were slightly diminished. Thomas caught a nice pass from Bears second-string QB Tyson Bagent. He took a beeline for the end zone, turning it into an explosive 97-yard touchdown. To fully silence the doubters, we will need to see more. For now it seems to be a pretty good start for the speedster out of LSU.

Photo Cred: Yardbreaker

Titans Backup QB Room Looks Grim

The Tennessee Titans have a litany of issues on their roster, but the issue on display in this matchup was the backup QB situation. Behind the young star in the making and former first overall pick coming into his second year, Miami’s Cam Ward, you have an interesting group, to say the least. The room consists of Mitchell Trubisky, Will Levis, and Hendon Hooker.

This position group had a rough showing in this preseason game, especially in light of Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent having a great game. Trubisky was absent from this game, while Levis went 14-for-22 for 143 yards, and Hooker went 5-for-8 for only 37 yards. While this is only preseason and we hope to only see Cam Ward on the field this year, on the off chance that we have to see one of these guys play, the Titans could be worse off than we think.

SEC and Big Ten Deny NFL Players College Return

By

Jaxson Love

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August 30, 2026

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The return of NFL players to college football has become a conundrum like no other in recent years. With the eligibility rules implemented for the 2026-27 season, colleges have been recruiting drafted former college players. These are players who were in camp and went on to be cut. The SEC, Big 12, and Big Ten have made new rules on NFL players returning for a fifth year of eligibility. They promptly implemented new rules to allow more power to commissioners. The conferences can enforce penalties aimed at discouraging the addition of former professionally athletes across multiple major sports.

According to ESPN, the rule states that institutions are not permitted to roster any athlete who has:

Previously declared for the NFL, NBA, or WNBA draft and did not appropriately withdraw.
Signed a contract with an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G League, or WNBA (or affiliate) team.
Been listed on an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G League, or WNBA (or affiliate) roster.

The penalties for breaking the intricacies of this rule could have a serious impact. Examples of penalties include a half-season suspension for a coach, a fine matching 50% of the sport’s annual budget, and the revocation of league voting rights. These kinds of penalties can be extremely detrimental to the success of these programs both now and moving forward. All of these punishments are to be enforced by SEC Commissioner George Sankey.

We have already had this rule tested in the past few weeks. Former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright and former St. John’s guard RJ Luis Jr both looked to return. Both have been cleared by the Louisiana court system to play for LSU’s football and basketball teams. They both received the required restraining orders necessary to play collegiate ball again after taking their shots at going professional. The real question at play here is whether challenge as they already signed LSU will seek to.

Photo Cred: Ole Miss

Overall, the NFL, NCAA, and sports fans and analysts alike agree that professional athletes have no place returning to the collegiate level. It is understandable that when a seemingly free-agent player who is now eligible becomes available, schools would want to jump into action and recruit them. But it is common sense that if you bet on yourself and test the waters of the professional scene, then you are officially done with college ball.

Joint Statement from the NFL and NFLPA

By

Stephen Patrick

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August 26, 2026

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August 26, 2026 – For the last several months, the NFL and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) have worked together to update the league’s on-field accountability system. Clubs were briefed on the changes at today’s league meeting in Atlanta, while player leadership was briefed and voted on the changes at a Board of Player Representatives meeting on Tuesday.

The goal is simple: make the game safer by focusing discipline on the techniques most likely to result in player injury rather than players who make isolated mistakes during competition.

Beginning this season, we will place greater emphasis on five player health and safety rules violations:

Hip Drop Tackle
Horse Collar Tackle
Launching
Hit on a Defenseless Player
Blindside Block

Players who commit three offenses in any of these categories during a season will be suspended for one game. Players who commit only one violation will receive 50 percent of their fine back at the end of the season.

While violations in these categories will carry forward to subsequent seasons, all players will begin 2026 with a clean slate. Players will also have a clearer and faster path to reducing the impact of prior offenses than under the previous system.

To support shared accountability, coaches will be required to join players in meetings with the NFL for players approaching the suspension threshold. Clubs with excessive health and safety rules violations will also face increased financial penalties. The NFL and NFLPA will also include a former coach, Ron Rivera, who also played nine seasons in the NFL, to the pool of former players who oversee the on-field discipline appeal hearings.

In addition, players who commit a single offense in eligible categories will now have the entire amount of that fine returned to them at the end of the season.

This approach distinguishes between isolated mistakes and repeated conduct that jeopardizes the health and safety of players.

Player safety is a shared responsibility. These changes focus on the techniques that create the greatest risk while ensuring player, coach, and club accountability. Together, we believe this approach will continue to make the game safer for all players.

Offseason Edition of the HBO and NFL Films Series ‘Hard Knocks’ Set to Return in 2027

By

Stephen Patrick

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August 26, 2026

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New Season Features an Entire Division

To Debut in 2027 on HBO and Available to Stream on HBO Max

NEW YORK — Aug. 26, 2026 — HBO and NFL Films announce the return of the offseason edition of the groundbreaking Hard Knocks franchise. The new installment will chronicle an entire NFL division during one of the most consequential periods of the football calendar as teams look to build and strengthen their rosters through the NFL Scouting Combine, free agency and NFL Draft. The series begins filming at the end of the 2026 NFL season and will debut in 2027 on HBO and be available to stream on HBO Max.

The first offseason edition, Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants, debuted in 2024, quickly becoming a fan favorite and earning a Sports Emmy Award nomination in the Outstanding Documentary Series – Serialized category. This newest edition featuring four teams will take the place of the current in-season format that has aired during the latter part of the NFL season since 2021, most recently featuring the teams of the NFC East (2025) and AFC North (2024).

“Our fans are increasingly interested in how NFL rosters are built, as well as the people who build them,” said Ross Ketover, NFL Films’ senior executive. “With Hard Knocks moving to the offseason, we are excited to showcase the tireless work that happens across an entire division, from the moment a season ends to the minute training camp begins.”

Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Seattle Seahawks is currently airing on HBO and available to stream on HBO Max with new episodes through Tuesday, Sept. 1. The New England Patriots will be the Hard Knocks training camp team in 2027.

Winner of 146 Sports Emmy Awards, NFL Films remains a gold standard in sports television, providing unprecedented access to and legendary storytelling about the sport of professional football.

For the latest news on NFL Media, please follow @NFLMedia on X and Instagram. Additionally, for general league news visit media.nfl.com.

NFL Elevates Pro Bowl Selection, Honoring the League’s Best of the Best

By

Stephen Patrick

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August 26, 2026

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88 Players With No Replacements Will Earn Pro Bowl Recognition Each Season, With Enhanced Roster Reveal, Lasting Player Recognition and In-Person Celebration

ATLANTA — August 26, 2026 — The National Football League today announced plans to elevate Pro Bowl presented by Verizon selection as one of the league’s most meaningful individual honors, recognizing exclusively the very best players from each NFL season.

Beginning with the 2026 season, 88 players will comprise the official Pro Bowl presented by Verizon class, with no replacement selections. The roster will continue to be determined through an equal-weighted voting process among players, coaches and fans.

By limiting the honor to the 88 players originally selected, the Pro Bowl presented by Verizon will return its focus squarely to recognizing the league’s most outstanding performers, reinforcing the significance of an achievement held in especially high regard by players themselves.

As part of that focus, the NFL will no longer stage an AFC vs. NFC Pro Bowl game. Instead, the league will place greater emphasis on the moment a player is selected, the recognition that accompanies that distinction and bringing the Pro Bowl presented by Verizon class together to celebrate the achievement.

“The Pro Bowl has always been about recognizing the players who distinguish themselves as the very best in the NFL,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL Executive Vice President, Club Business, International and League Events. “A Pro Bowl selection will return to its original purpose, honoring the best of the best. We want that distinction to carry even greater meaning for the players, their families, their clubs and our fans.”

The Pro Bowl presented by Verizon roster will be revealed in late December through an enhanced announcement highlighting the 88 selected players across NFL, club, social and broadcast partner platforms and celebrating the performances that earned them the honor.

Pro Bowl presented by Verizon selections will also carry a lasting and visible recognition on a player’s uniform, creating an enduring symbol of the achievement that becomes part of his career legacy. Each Pro Bowl player will also receive a unique commemorative keepsake, including a one-of-one personalized Pro Bowl trading card created in partnership with Topps.

The NFL will bring the 2027 Pro Bowl presented by Verizon class together during the traditional Pro Bowl weekend in Los Angeles for an in-person celebration recognizing the players, their families and the significance of earning the distinction.

“This direction came directly from our continued conversations with players and what they value most about the Pro Bowl,” said Troy Vincent, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations. “Being selected by your peers, coaches and fans as one of the very best at your position carries tremendous meaning. We heard clearly that the distinction matters, and our focus is on making the recognition that comes with it worthy of what these players accomplished on the field.”

The NFL will also continue expanding its support for flag football as the sport builds toward its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. While the Pro Bowl and flag football serve distinct purposes, programming around both will complement the weekend in Los Angeles and create opportunities for Pro Bowl players to engage with the sport.

Flag football events highlighting multiple levels of the sport will also take place across Pro Bowl weekend and Super Bowl week in Los Angeles, including a showcase of the professional flag league the NFL is creating in partnership with TMRW Sports.

As part of the broader pathway toward LA28, more than 200 NFL players representing 25-plus countries have expressed interest in competing for their respective countries in Olympic flag football. Player acclimation camps, run by USA Football, for those players interested in pursuing a spot on the U.S. National Team will begin in early 2027, as well as similar processes for other competing nations.

Additional details on the Pro Bowl celebration, roster reveal, player recognition and flag football programming will be announced at a later date.

Nike and the National Football League Introduce Next Chapter of Rivalries with 2026 Uniform Reveal

By

Stephen Patrick

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August 25, 2026

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Second Year of the Program Celebrates the Storied Franchises of the NFC North and AFC South

NEW YORK & BEAVERTON, Ore. — Aug. 25, 2026 — Building on the success of the Nike x NFL Rivalries program’s first-year launch, Nike and the National Football League are unveiling the 2026 Rivalries uniforms alongside coinciding fan apparel manufactured and sold by Fanatics.

The Nike x NFL Rivalries program authentically deepens the connection between football, fandom and the communities that fuel them through distinct uniform designs created for each participating team.

“Revealing eight new Rivalries uniforms marks the next chapter in a program that is beloved by fans across the NFL and Nike,” said Taryn Hutt, vice president of club marketing at the NFL. “By spotlighting the launch of the AFC South and NFC North clubs, and the passionate communities behind them, we continue to capture the spirit and tradition of football’s greatest divisional rivalries.”

The program which launched initially in 2025, became Fanatics’ best-selling merchandise release to date, demonstrating strong fan demand and establishing momentum for the program’s continued expansion in 2026.

Teams will debut their new Nike-designed Rivalries uniform during one upcoming home game against a division rival. After their on-field debut, the Rivalries uniform will be included in the team’s uniform lineup for three years, in addition to existing alternate uniforms. Teams that launched uniforms in 2025 will return to the field in those designs for a select game this season against a division rival. Additional teams will debut during the 2027 and 2028 NFL seasons.

Here are Nike x NFL Rivalries gameday schedules for the upcoming season:

2025 Launch Teams (NFC West & AFC East)	2026 Launch Teams (NFC North & AFC South)
ARI – Week 2 vs SEA	IND – Week 3 vs HOU
BUF –Week 11 vs MIA	GB – Week 5 vs CHI
NE – Week 13 vs BUF	DET – Week 8 vs MIN
SF – Week 14 vs LAR	JAX – Week 8 vs IND
SEA – Week 16* vs LAR	TEN – Week 10 vs JAX
LAR – Week 16* vs SEA	HOU – Week 11 vs IND
NYJ – Week 16 vs NE	MIN – Week 15 vs DET
MIA – Week 17 vs BUF	CHI – Week 16 vs GB

*This will be the first dual-Rivalries matchup with both the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks wearing their Rivalries’ uniform.

The 2026 launch comes to life through visual campaigns created by each participating team. Set in the communities where each rivalry lives, the campaigns feature current NFL players including Jameson Williams (Detroit Lions), Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers), Nico Collins (Houston Texans), Sauce Gardner (Indianapolis Colts), and NFL Legend Randy Moss (Minnesota Vikings), hometown talent such as rappers Big Sean, Slim Thug and Bun B, and country singers Gowa Gibbs and Thomas Edwards. Together, they connect each team’s identity to the people and places that give it meaning.

Rivalries jerseys and fan gear will be available Sept. 1 at NFLShop.com, nike.com, fanatics.com, team stores and select retail locations, with additional availability through International NFL Shop sites and select international retailers.

2026 ACC Football Preview: Predictions, Rankings & Dark Horses

By

Robby McDonell

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August 25, 2026

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With the 2026 college football season set to kick off this weekend, here are some bold predictions for the upcoming season for the ACC. The top teams to look out for this season are Miami, SMU, and Louisville. Miami is the reigning runner-up of last year’s national championship game and is projected to start the season ranked in the top 10.

Picking up star QB Darien Mensah from Duke in the transfer portal to pair with standout WR Malachi Toney makes for one of the most explosive offenses in the country. Meanwhile, SMU hasn’t had a losing record since joining the ACC, and with star QB Kevin Jennings returning this year, I’d expect another winning season. Rhett Lashlee knows how to coach an offense and will lead his team to another top-five finish in the conference.

Photo Cred: ACC

Lastly, Louisville is an underrated playoff contender this year. The Cardinals have won nine games or more in each of its three seasons. Louisville retained star RB Isaac Brown and brought in key offensive weapons through the transfer portal. The Cardinals also have one of the lightest strengths of schedule in the conference, which could help guarantee them another nine-plus-win season.

Who is primed to have a dark-horse run like Virginia last season?

While Virginia had a miraculous season last year, I don’t believe they’ll see the same success this time around. However, teams like Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh strike me as potential underdogs this year. Virginia Tech brought in James Franklin the new head coach. It came with 27 transfers Among them is transfer QB Ethan Grunkemeyer, who led Penn State to a bowl-game win last season.

This is an entirely revamped Hokies team with a lite schedule looking to make some noise. Meanwhile, Pitt has one of the brightest young stars in QB Mason Heintschel. The sophomore dual-threat quarterback looks to lead this Panthers team back to the early-season form it showed last year. The only concern is that they are a bit lacking in star power defensively.

Here are my preseason ACC rankings:

Miami
Louisville
SMU
Clemson
Virginia Tech
Virginia
Georgia Tech
Pittsburgh
Duke
NC State
Florida State
California
Syracuse
Wake Forest
North Carolina
Stanford
Boston College

MLB NL MVP Race: Pete Crow-Armstrong vs. Shohei Ohtani

By

Jaxson Love

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August 24, 2026

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A majority of Major League Baseball’s season is in the books. The race for the MVPs on each side of the MLB coin couldn’t be more different. In the American League, Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros has dominated the betting odds as a -1400 favorite. He’s over the next player Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays, according to DraftKings. The National League has a heated race between Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs (-155) and four-time unanimous MVP winner Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers (+125). Let’s look at the two NL candidates and see who has the best case to hold the trophy come November.

Pete Crow-Armstrong

Pete Crow-Armstrong, also known as PCA, is coming off a Gold Glove season. He has taken the long-awaited leap that Chicago Cubs fans have been clamoring for. PCA is currently, at the time of writing, tied for 28th in batting average at .279, seventh in home runs with 31, 14th in RBIs with 79, and 14th in OPS at .928, according to ESPN.

Photo Cred: Northside Baseball

What makes PCA stand out is that he is in the midst of a second consecutive 30-for-30 campaign. He stands alone as the only player to accomplish that this season. HPCA is an insanely quick base runner. He uses that speed to steal more bases than anyone in Major League Baseball. When his exemplary defense, it’s no mystery why he’s in the running for NL MVP.

Shohei Ohtani

Almost everyone has heard of Shohei Ohtani. He’s The international star that took over the league. The dual-threat legend has not pitched in a while due to left knee inflammation, but nothing has stopped him from continuing to be one of, if not the best, players in baseball.

Photo Cred: Market Watch

Ohtani is currently tied for 13th in batting average at .291, tied for eighth in home runs with 30, tied for ninth in RBIs with 80, and seventh in OPS at .942, according to ESPN.Overall, Ohtani has better numbers in fewer at-bats than PCA, but that comes with the lack of stolen bases. Keep in mind, these numbers are coming solely from his work as a designated hitter. When Ohtani gets back on the mound, his MVP case could only become stronger.

Who Comes Out On Top?

Decisions, decisions. To claim that either of these players is going to win the NL MVP is an acceptable answer. According to the analytics and considering the potential factor of voter fatigue, the prediction for NL MVP is Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs. If Ohtani returns to the mound and pitches at the level expected of him, he could make an even stronger case for his fifth MVP. Until then, PCA is the pick.

Nick Chubb Announces Retirement from the NFL

By

James McCaffrey

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August 24, 2026

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Former superstar running back Nick Chubb has announced his retirement from the NFL at just 30 years old. Chubb was a second-round draft pick in 2018 after a sensational college career at Georgia. During his 2015 season, Chubb suffered a terrible injury that included tears to his MCL, PCL, and LCL ligaments. Unfortunately he was the victim of another devastating injury in 2023. He suffered a torn MCL, damaged meniscus, medial capsule, and torn ACL in a Week 2 game against the Steelers.

Photo Cred: Cleveland News 19

Chubb’s injury in 2023 effectively ended his prime. From his rookie year in 2018 through the 2022 season, he averaged over 1,200 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns. He added a stellar 5.2 yards per carry. From 2019 to 2022, Chubb rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored at least eight touchdowns. He stepped into the league as an impact player during his rookie season. Chubb famously crossed the 1,000-yard rushing mark in the final game of the year.

Chubb was pretty much the lone bright spot on offense for a lot of struggling Browns teams, and he achieved his highest honor as a second-team All-Pro running back in 2022. That season, he played in every game and set career highs with 1,525 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. When Chubb returned from injury in 2024, he played in eight games with Cleveland. He averaged a career-low 3.3 yards per carry by far. Last year, he signed with the Texans and was part of a rotation in Houston’s backfield, starting only nine of the 15 games he played.

Photo Cred: Texans

He ran for over 500 yards and was able to increase his yards per carry to 4.1, but it was clear he was no longer the same player who had been on a path toward the Hall of Fame before the injury. Before the devastating injury, Chubb was right there with Derrick Henry as one of the best running backs in the league over the previous seven or eight years. Now, at just 30 years old, Chubb has chosen to walk away from the game and officially bring an impressive NFL career to an end.

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Key Takeaways:

New Season Features an Entire Division

To Debut in 2027 on HBO and Available to Stream on HBO Max

88 Players With No Replacements Will Earn Pro Bowl Recognition Each Season, With Enhanced Roster Reveal, Lasting Player Recognition and In-Person Celebration

Second Year of the Program Celebrates the Storied Franchises of the NFC North and AFC South

Pete Crow-Armstrong

Shohei Ohtani

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