The 2024 NFL preseason commenced on Thursday and continued into Friday with various teams in action including the Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, and Atlanta Falcons. The remaining teams will play on Saturday and Sunday as listed below.
During Week 1 of preseason games, fans get their first look at new players on each team, whether they are rookies or offseason acquisitions. To keep you informed on how players performed in their initial game action, our NFL Nation reporters have summarized the top debuts from Friday’s games.
Texans: Danielle Hunter, the Texans’ big free agent acquisition, had a sack and a quarterback pressure in Friday night’s game. All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs had zero targets, but the offense still put up a good performance with quarterback C.J. Stroud throwing a touchdown to Tank Dell. Rookie safety Calen Bullock also stood out with a near interception.
Steelers: Justin Fields and the Steelers’ first-team unit struggled to score points, with Fields being sacked twice and having two fumbles on snaps. However, Fields also showcased some dazzling plays, including a couple of throws to WR Van Jefferson. Rookies Troy Fautanu and Payton Wilson had mixed performances, while Ryan Watts showed promise with a near interception.
Eagles: Rookie linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. had an impressive debut with six tackles and a sack. Other rookies, such as Quinyon Mitchell and Will Shipley, also made their presence felt on the field. Jalyx Hunt showed promise as an edge rusher.
Ravens: First-round pick Nate Wiggins had a strong start but left the field with a shoulder injury. The Ravens are facing cornerback injuries with several players sidelined. Wiggins is expected to play a pivotal role in the team’s defense.
Dolphins: Rookie Patrick Paul showcased his potential as a pass protector and run blocker. Jaylen Wright impressed with 55 rushing yards and a touchdown. Free agent signee Siran Neal made an impact on special teams.
Falcons: Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. showed glimpses of promise but also had some overthrows. OLB Bralen Trice suffered a leg injury, which could impact the team’s pass rush.
These are just a few highlights from Friday’s preseason games, with more games scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
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