Dak on track to start season opener
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott reportedly is expected to be a full go for Week 1 of the regular season.
Prescott has been held out of team drills since late July because of a latissimus strain in his right shoulder. He has had no setbacks and remains on track with a progressive throwing program designed to increase volume of work, the source said.
On Wednesday, coach Mike McCarthy said “there’s a good chance” Prescott won’t play in the preseason. Heading into training camp, the team had hoped to get Prescott plenty of reps now that he has recovered from the dislocation and compound fracture of his right ankle that ended his 2020 season in Week 5.
Dallas opens the regular season on Sept. 9 with a Thursday night game against the defending champion Buccaneers.
Jets’ Wilson sharp vs. Packers
Zach Wilson directed three scoring drives and threw his first two touchdown passes of the preseason in the Jets’ 23-14 victory over the Packers.
Wilson went 9 of 11 for 128 yards, including a pair of 18-yard scores to Tyler Kroft, to continue an encouraging preseason for the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft.
The Packers didn’t play reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers or backup quarterback Jordan Love, who hurt his throwing shoulder last week against the Texans.
That left them relying on Kurt Benkert, who made his first NFL start since the Falcons’ fourth and final preseason game in 2018.
Benkert played all but the last Packers series and went 18-for-25 for 151 yards with a five-yard touchdown pass to Jace Sternberger and an interception.
Ravens tie NFL preseason mark
Tyler Huntley threw for 187 yards, and the Ravens defeated the Panthers 20-3 to tie an NFL record with their 19th consecutive preseason win.
Nate McCrary and Ty’Son Williams rushed for touchdowns for the Ravens, who equaled the mark set by Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers, who had a 19-game winning streak in exhibitions from 1959 to 1962.
Quarterback Sam Darnold had his first action at quarterback for Carolina, but left after one series.
Big Ben shines in new offense
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger enjoyed a perfect preseason debut.
Roethlisberger turned in a perfect passer rating of 158.3 and led the Steelers’ first-team offense to a pair of touchdowns for a 26-20 victory over the Lions.
Roethlisberger had his initial opportunity to work with first-year offensive coordinator Matt Canada during an in-game setting. He ran Canada’s up-tempo approach to near perfection in three series. He finished 8 of 10 for 137 yards and two touchdowns, both to rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth.
Tim Boyle got the start under center for the Lions, who weren’t able to cross midfield until late in the third quarter.
Dolphins’ Tagovailoa looks solid
Tua Tagovailoa threw for 187 yards and a touchdown in one half, and the Dolphins beat the Falcons 37-17.
The Falcons rested their starters, while the Dolphins’ first unit played most of the first half in the second preseason game for both teams.
Rams without both punters
The Rams put punters Johnny Hekker and Corey Bojorquez on the COVID-19 list, leaving them without a punter available for their second preseason game.