Dorothy

For the bulk of training camp, the narrative surrounding the San Francisco 49ers has centered around the growing number of injuries. However, as the Niners have begun the preseason, they are getting a far more optimistic storyline that's developing in the wide receiver room. Second-rounder De'Zhaun Stribling has been putting together a strong camp, and the general NFL-viewing public got a peek behind the curtain of a possible breakout rookie season in the preseason opener against the Titans. In just one half of play, Stribling caught seven of his eight targets on the night for 63 yards. That included a number of contested catches that'll certainly catch the attention of the Bay Area.

Ja'Kobi Lane, Khalil Shakir, Caleb Douglas and Emmett Johnson up into late-round territory. Thought all four of these guys did enough to warrant a Fantasy draft pick. The rookie receivers are big guys capable of catching long balls; Shakir looked better suited as the No. 2 slot receiver for the Bills and might actually benefit from Moore being there; Johnson made a bunch of dudes miss and could be the guy to get late if you draft Kenneth Walker III. And I know Lane is the darling of training camp but I think moving him higher. Keep them in mind in the late rounds.

The first week of the NFL preseason is complete. We got a small taste of the action last week with the Hall of Fame Game, but this week, things kicked into warp drive with 16 games going down between Thursday and Saturday.

Although Mendoza was good, Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said the starting QB job was still Kirk Cousins' to lose, so don't look for the rookie to be starting in Week 1. If you want a deeper dive into Mendoza's first start, .

Beginning with the Browns, Deshaun Watson outplayed Shedeur Sanders slightly, but neither put together a performance that instills much confidence. Watson, who started the game, completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards. He also fumbled after getting stripped by Chicago pass rusher Jamree Kromah. After the turnover, the Watson-led offense has back-to-back three-and-outs. There were some moments where Watson looked stable, including a touchdown drive in the second quarter, but things went sideways after the fumble.

Somehow, things didn't get any better when the Falcons took the field. Tua Tagovailoa fumbled his second snap of the game, and with Michael Penix Jr. (knee) still unable to play, this isn't exactly the quarterback competition Kevin Stefanski was hoping for. The Falcons got bulldozed 27-7 by the Broncos, by the way.

Steelers GM Omar Khan (For drafting Drew Allar) With Aaron Rodgers , the Steelers need to find their quarterback of the future and they might have already done that. The team drafted former Penn State QB Drew Allar in the third round back in April and he was a one-man highlight show during the Steelers' 28-9 win over the Packers on Thursday night. Allar didn't get in the game until the second half, but once he was on the field, he absolutely took over: He finished 10 of 13 for 153 yards and three total touchdowns.

Simpson's work came against players fighting to make the Kansas City roster, not those who will open the season on the top couple of lines on the depth chart. But he did everything the Rams could have asked of him. Molding him into a future starter would give Los Angeles a clear succession plan in the eventual post-Stafford era.

FILE - Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti holds the trophy after their win against Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game in Miami Gardens, Fla., Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) celebrated a touchdown against Texas A&M during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore (5) throws a warm up pass before playing James Madison in a College Football Playoff, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Mark Ylen)

After a pair of lopsided losses to the rival Cardinals on Saturday and Sunday, the Cubs have something to prove heading into their series against the crosstown White Sox. That said, they are still 10-5 in August, and the offense has slugged an MLB-leading 25 home runs in 15 games this month.

White Sox: Davis Martin: 15-Day IL (finger), Jordan Leasure: 60-Day IL (flexor), Prelander Berroa: 60-Day IL (elbow), Ky Bush: 60-Day IL (elbow), Chris Murphy: 15-Day IL (flexor), Joey Bart: 10-Day IL (hand), Kyle Teel: 10-Day IL (ankle), Drew Thorpe: 60-Day IL (elbow), Tanner Murray: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Brooks Baldwin: 60-Day IL (elbow), Mike Vasil: 60-Day IL (elbow)

The Hoosiers are the reigning national champions and the first team since 1894 to finish 16-0.