Williams completed 21 of 29 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns while carrying the ball 10 times for 65 yards and two more TDs in Sunday's 59-37 win over the Panthers.

In the highest-scoring Week 1 game in NFL history, Williams led the Bears on nine separate scoring drives, tossing touchdowns to Cole Kmet in the second quarter and Jahdae Walker in the fourth while adding rushing scores of his own in the first and second quarters. The third-year QB produced a career-high 30 touchdowns in 2025, 27 through the air and three on the ground, but he may be poised to shatter that mark in 2026. Williams will face a likely tougher test at home in Week 2 against the Vikings.

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.

Jeanty rushed 23 times for 102 yards and secured all six targets for 45 yards and two touchdowns in the Raiders' 27-13 win over the Dolphins on Sunday.

Jeanty shook off the ankle injury that had plagued him for weeks leading into Week 1 by handling a voluminous workload with impressive efficacy. He set the pace for the Raiders in both rushing and receiving yards on the afternoon, and he shared the team lead in receptions as well. The 2025 first-round pick's pair of receiving scores were each from 13 yards out and transpired in the second and third quarters. With his health apparently no longer in question and Las Vegas' offense looking crisp in its first game under head coach Klint Kubiak's scheme, Jeanty's prospects are bright heading into a Week 2 road matchup against the Chargers next Sunday.

Jeanty said prior to Thursday's practice that he feels "really good" about the health of his right ankle and reiterated that he'll be ready to go for Sunday's season opener versus the Dolphins, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports. "Any time away from the game, it's tough," Jeanty said. "But to get back out there [at practice Wednesday], mainly with the guys, man, it felt good."

Jeanty cleared up any concern about his availability for the opener by turning in a full practice Wednesday, two and a half weeks after he sustained what initially appeared to be a serious-looking ankle injury during an Aug. 23 training camp session. The running back practiced again Thursday, and barring any setbacks, he'll draw the Week 1 start for the Raiders. However, because of the amount of workouts Jeanty missed late in camp while recovering from the ankle injury, the Raiders could look to manage his workload to some degree in the opener and open up more reps for rookie Mike Washington, per Dan Graziano of ESPN.com.

Jeanty (ankle) practiced fully Wednesday, Anthony Galaviz of The Fresno Bee reports.

When Jeanty left practice Aug. 23, the initial concerns were significant because the running back wasn't able to put much pressure on his right leg as he exited the field. Adam Schefter of ESPN subsequently reported that Jeanty wasn't dealing with a long-term issue, and the diagnosis eventually revealed a low-ankle sprain. After logging all activity at Wednesday's session, Jeanty now is in the clear for Sunday's regular-season opener against the Dolphins, though he may still yield some RB reps to reserves Mike Washington and even Dylan Laube.

Nabers (knee) caught six of nine targets for 69 yards in Sunday's 28-20 win over the Cowboys.

Nabers was listed as questionable heading into the game but ultimately suited up for his first game action since suffering a torn ACL and meniscus in Week 4 of last season. The 2024 first-round pick led the Giants in targets and finished nine receiving yards shy of Isaiah Likely's team-leading total. Jaxson Dart threw three touchdown passes in a strong Week 1 performance, though none of them went to wide receivers. The Giants' passing game is trending up heading into a Week 2 road game against the Rams on Monday Night Football, and Nabers has reclaimed his role as the team's top wide receiver.

Nabers (knee) is listed as active Sunday against the Cowboys, Connor Hughes of SNY.tv reports.

During pregame warmups Sunday, Nabers took part in an extensive workout with a member of the Giants' training staff before joining his fellow wide receivers to catch passes from QB Jaxson Dart and company. Shortly thereafter, the Giants didn't include Nabers among their Week 1 inactives, meaning he's back in action for the first time since tearing the ACL and meniscus in his right knee Week 4 of last season. It's unclear what kind of workload he'll be able to handle, but New York's No. 1 WR will be available to Dart and the offense.

Nabers' (knee) status for Sunday's game against the Cowboys remains "murky at best," Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Nabers was able to practice without limitations during Week 1 prep, but he took a 'questionable' tag into the weekend after a week in which both he and head coach John Harbaugh were non-committal about the wide receiver's potential to play Sunday. Nabers himself told Evan Barnes of Newsday on Thursday that he had to weigh the long-term implications when he eventually returns from the torn ACL and meniscus that he suffered in his right knee Week 4 of last season. The Giants play on Sunday Night Football in Week 1, so if Nabers is listed as inactive, fantasy managers won't have many options to turn to for scoring purposes between SNF and MNF. New York brought two WRs (Braxton Berrios and Dalen Cambre) off its practice squad Saturday to join Malachi Fields, Darnell Mooney and Odell Beckham, likely with a potential absence from Nabers in mind.

Mayfield completed 23 of 28 passes for 216 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions while adding five rushes for 30 yards and a touchdown in the Buccaneers' 33-27 loss to the Bengals on Sunday. He also lost three fumbles.

Fresh off inking his long-sought-after contract extension, Mayfield endured a fairly nightmarish afternoon in which his turnovers played a direct role in the Buccaneers' narrow loss. Mayfield's first fumble of the day came just past the midway point of the first quarter on a sack and was returned for a touchdown by Demetrius Knight, while his second cost Tampa Bay points as it came on the Bengals' four-yard line early in the second quarter. The third and final time Mayfield lost the handle was costly as well, considering the ball was recovered by Cincinnati at the Buccaneers' 43-yard line and the turnover led to a field goal. Mayfield would get his team back within seven points thanks to his nine-yard touchdown run with just over three minutes remaining, but he wouldn't get the ball back again. The veteran signal-caller will look to atone in an appealing Week 2 home matchup against the Browns next Sunday.

Mayfield and the Buccaneers agreed Tuesday on a three-year, $165 million contract extension, Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport of ESPN report.

Though Mayfield's self-imposed deadline of the start of training camp for signing a new contract came and went without a new deal in place, the two sides revisited extension talks in the last few days and were able to find common ground. With the extension in place, the Buccaneers will avoid the risk of losing Mayfield in free agency next offseason and keep him on their books through 2029. Mayfield's first three seasons in Tampa Bay have been a resounding success, with the quarterback averaging 31.6 touchdown passes per season and having led the team to two playoff appearances.

Mayfield logged just one appearance during the Buccaneers' three-game preseason schedule.

Mayfield took the field for preseason Week 2 against the Chiefs on Aug. 22, leading two drives and finishing 2-for-4 passing for 10 yards. Both possessions ended in Riley Dixon punts, but Mayfield wasn't working with any of his top wide receivers or tight ends. WRs Emeka Egbuka (toe) and Jalen McMillan (knee) are dealing with injuries as Week 1 draws closer, so how both fare in practice next week will be key for Mayfield's prospects at Cincinnati on Sunday, Sept. 13.

McLaughlin went 2-for-2 on field-goal attempts and made all three extra-point tries in Sunday's 33-27 loss to the Bengals.

McLaughlin got the scoring started in this one, converting a 34-yard field goal early in the first quarter before later making a 51-yard kick in the third quarter to cut the Bengals' lead to 14 points. The veteran kicker finished 2025 as fantasy's No. 12 kicker in points per game after making a career-best 11 field goals from 50-plus yards. He'll be in a good spot next Sunday at home against the lowly Browns, who just surrendered 34 points to the Jaguars in Week 1.

McLaughlin is slated to be Tampa Bay's primary placekicker for the fourth consecutive campaign in 2026.

McLaughlin got limited opportunities early in his career, but he's played in 16 or 17 contests each of the past five years, the last three of which have been with the Bucs. He was incredibly accurate in making 94 percent of his field-goal attempts over his first two regular seasons with the club, and though that rate dropped a bit to 84 percent last year, McLaughlin also hit a career-high 11 field goals from 50-plus yards (on 12 attempts). He'll be in the final year of the three-year contract he inked in 2024, which could give McLaughlin additional incentive to make a big impact with his leg.

Penix (knee) will be out for Sunday's season opener in Pittsburgh but is targeting Week 2 or 3 for his 2026 debut, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Penix (knee), who won't play Sunday in Pittsburgh, was seen throwing to practice-squad players during the open portion of Friday's practice, Daniel Flick of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said that Penix (knee) will be inactive for Sunday's season opener in Pittsburgh, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.

Wright had two kick returns for 106 yards alongside one carry for a one-yard loss in Sunday's 27-13 loss to the Raiders.

Wright is listed as the Dolphins' No. 2 running back on the team's initial depth chart ahead of a Week 1 matchup against the Raiders.

Washington secured five of six targets for 83 yards and a touchdown in the Jaguars' 34-10 win over the Browns on Sunday. He also returned one punt for minus-5 yards.

Washington is unlikely to agree to a contract extension with Jacksonville before the start of the season, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Jaguars head coach Liam Coen confirmed Friday that Washington will be the team's primary punt returner to start the season, Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times-Union reports.

Branch returned three punts for 33 yards and one kickoff for 30 yards in the Falcons' 20-13 loss to the Steelers on Sunday.

Branch (hamstring) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's contest at Pittsburgh, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Branch (hamstring) remained limited at practice Thursday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.