Coach Ben Johnson lauded Williams' approach Tuesday as the quarterback enters his third NFL campaign, Larry Mayer of the Bears' official site reports. "He's executing at a much higher clip than he ever has, and I think it's going to continue to grow," Johnson said. "He's going to continue to elevate everyone around him, coaches included."

Williams played just one possession during exhibition season, leading the Bears to a Cairo Santos field goal to kick off preseason Week 2 at Cincinnati. The performance (2-for-5 passing for 28 yards, no TDs and no interceptions) was nothing to write home about, but Williams is set to take another step forward in his development in 2026. There are two question marks within Chicago's skill positions as Week 1 approaches: RB Kyle Monangai is attempting to put a hyperextended knee behind him, while WR Luther Burden is continuing his recovery from an early August groin injury. Having said that, Williams still has the healthy trio of RB D'Andre Swift, WR Rome Odunze and TE Colston Loveland at his services, so the QB's first 4,000-yard season through the air may be on the horizon.

Williams completed two of five passes for 28 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the Bears' 27-9 preseason loss to the Bengals on Saturday.

The third-year signal-caller made his preseason debut and got his night started with back-to-back completions to Rome Odunze and Roschon Johnson, although the Bears accepted an illegal contact penalty that wiped out the latter play. Williams subsequently hit Colston Loveland for 10 yards during a possession that culminated in a Cairo Santos field goal following three straight incompletions. The uneven cameo appearance may well represent the extent of Williams' preseason action ahead of a Week 1 road matchup against the Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Williams is in uniform in advance of Saturday's preseason game in Cincinnati, Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune reports.

After sitting out Chicago's exhibition opener, Williams now appears set to make his preseason debut. His participation is notable for the Bears' first-team offense, especially with WRs Rome Odunze and Kalif Raymond and TEs Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet also suited up.

Washington is listed as a starting wide receiver on the Dolphins' unofficial depth chart.

Miami almost entirely retooled its receiving corps this offseason, releasing Tyreek Hill in February, trading Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos in March, signing Jalen Tolbert in free agency and then drafting three WRs (Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell and Kevin Coleman) in the 2026 Draft. Washington is the only holdover from 2025, a season in which he hauled in 46 of 65 targets for 317 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing 17 times for 110 yards and one more TD. In addition to an expected increase in snaps while working with new QB Malik Willis, Washington again will serve as the team's primary kick returner and perhaps on punt returns as well.

Washington is not playing in Saturday's preseason game against the Giants, C. Isaiah Smalls II of the Miami Herald reports.

Washington played in the Dolphins' preseason opener against the Commanders on Friday, Aug. 14, when he caught three passes on as many targets for 15 yards. He'll be idle for Saturday's exhibition contest, so Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell and rookie third-rounder Caleb Douglas are all in line for increased work.

Smith was voted a Jets captain by his teammates ahead of the 2026 season, Amanda Vogt and Eric Allen of the team's official site reports.

It's been nearly 10 years since Smith last took a snap for the Jets, but after revitalizing his career with the Seahawks and Raiders over the last four seasons, he's back in New York as a grizzled vet with age (34) and experience on his side. Smith recorded at least 3,000 yards and 19 touchdowns through the air in each of those four campaigns, but he also tossed 52 interceptions in 64 regular-season games during that span. Picks are often an issue for Smith, but he at least will have a nice skill-position group of RB Breece Hall (groin), WRs Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell and Omar Cooper and TEs Mason Taylor and Kenyon Sadiq (abdomen) to throw to in 2026.

Smith will not play in Friday's preseason finale against the Giants, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

Smith and most of the Jets' starters will sit out Friday's contest as the team prepares for Week 1 against the Titans on Sunday, Sept. 13. The quarterback played the opening drive of the team's preseason win over Pittsburgh on Aug. 21, completing all seven of his passes for 65 yards and a touchdown. That will end up being the only action he sees during the preseason, and Week 1 will be his first regular-season start with the Jets since 2016.

Smith completed all seven of his pass attempts for 65 yards and a touchdown in Friday's 17-0 preseason win over the Steelers.

After sitting out the preseason opener due to a sore ankle, Smith saw the first game action of his second stint with the Jets. He played only the opening drive but was sharp during his brief time in the game, completing all seven of his passes to six different targets, including a 13-yard touchdown pass to Jelani Woods. Smith looks like he's in midseason form already, so it remains to be seen if the veteran QB will get any action in next Friday's preseason finale against the Giants.

Corum was rested for all three of the Rams' preseason contests.

Metcalf (undisclosed) is expected to be ready for Week 1 against the Falcons, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Metcalf (undisclosed) has agreed to a restructured contract with the Steelers, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Metcalf (undisclosed) returned to practice Monday after having been sidelined since Aug. 8, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

Hockenson recorded a touchdown reception from Kyler Murray during the Vikings' final training camp practice Aug. 26, Andrew Krammer of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.