NFL announces its pre-season slate
A battle of Los Angeles tops the NFL’s pre-season matchups, which were announced Monday afternoon.
The Los Angeles Rams, in their second season back in Tinseltown, host the newly relocated Los Angeles Chargers on Aug. 26 at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum.
The NFL Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, again kicks off the pre-season slate, but the Aug. 3 matchup — the Dallas Cowboys versus the Arizona Cardinals — takes place on a Thursday rather than the traditional Sunday night. In addition to the Chargers-Rams tilt, four other games will be televised nationally in the U.S. on the Week 3 weekend: Kansas City at Seattle on Aug. 25, and Chicago at Tennessee, Cincinnati at Washington and San Francisco at Minnesota on Aug. 27.
In Week 2, Tampa Bay at Jacksonville on Aug. 17 and the New York Giants at Cleveland on Aug. 21 will be televised nationally.
Details about Canadian broadcasts have not been released, but TSN or Sportsnet are likely to air these games.
Lost wages: The NFL, per multiple reports, intends to fine a group of players who attended a so-called pro football arm wrestling championship last week at a Las Vegas casino. Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison and Oakland punter Marquette King are reportedly among those who attended.
The NFL forbids players from engaging in promotional events at casinos. Former Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch, who is talking about coming out of retirement, also attended.
Extra points: New Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph said “it’s an open competition” between quarterbacks Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch for the starting job next season, “and it’s going to go down to the wire, I hope.” … Philadelphia signed ex-Oakland QB Matt McGloin, presumably as a camp arm … Chicago waived veteran corner Tracy Porter, and Oakland waived DL Demetrius Cherry … The top draft prospect, edge rusher Myles Garrett of Texas A&M, reportedly vowed to “punish” the Cleveland Browns if they don’t select him No. 1 overall.