NFL EXHIBITION GAMES BEGIN

The road to the NFL regular season begins under the lights as teams take the field for their first

exhibition test of the season.

After 2 weeks of training camp the teams in the National Football League begin playing the first

of their 3 exhibition games this week in preparation for the 2026 -27 regular season that begins

on Wednesday September 9th .

The excitement commences when the New England Patriots take on the Seattle Seahawks in a

rematch of Super Bowl LX won by the Seahawks 29 – 13.

The Exhibition games will help each team determine their 53 man active roster mandated by

September 7th. With 90 candidates vying for the active roster, many player’s performances in

the exhibition games will determine their future in the NFL.

Not only will the coaches evaluate each player hoping to make the active roster, but they must

play their starting units on both Offense, Defense and Special Teams in these Exhibition games

in order to prepare them for opening day of this 17 game NFL season.

The amount of playing time for the First team units in the Exhibition games is a major concern

for all the NFL coaches. Although it's important to play the first team units so that they can

achieve timing and execution in game situations, the bigger concern is keeping their starting

players healthy and physically ready to play on opening day.

The majority of the exhibition games will be filled with Players vying to impress their coaches

and demonstrate their value to the team as either a backup to a player starting in front of them

or as a special teams player on Kickoffs – Kick-off returns -- Punts -- Punt returns and Point after

Touchdowns (PAT’S) .

These Exhibition games are extremely important not only to the players competing to make the

squad but for the coaches in determining the players for their 53 man active roster and who

they will keep on the 16 player practice squad for the upcoming season.

Unfortunately, throughout training camp, players on every team suffer various injuries, from

soreness to season ending injuries. Getting players ready for the rigors of a season without

sustaining injuries is the goal of every coaching staff in the National Football League.

-----Washington Commanders camp news—-- The Commanders were dealt a severe blow when starting left tackle, Laremy Tunsil was lost for the majority of this season after sustaining a torn Tricep muscle. This is a major setback for the Commanders offensive line, a unit that must improve from last year and will directly affect the success they have on Offense.

They must protect Quarterback Jayden Daniels by controlling the line of scrimmage and

effectively pass blocking.

Brandon Coleman will move back to Left Tackle, the position he played before Tunsil arrived.

Andrew Wylie will be his 2nd . If Coleman and Wylie falter, look for Josh Conerly Jr. to move from RT to LT where he played at Oregon. Left Guard is open for competition and with Coleman

moving to Tackle, Chris Paul will be first in line to fill that position.

The Commanders brought in three veteran Offensive lineman to compete for the spot vacated

by Laremy Tunsil, ---Daniel Brunskill, Nicholas Petit-Frere and Max Sharping.

WR Stefon Diggs will make a huge impact on the Commanders passing Game. If the

Commanders Offensive line can protect QB Jayden Daniels and give him time to look down field,

Diggs and Terry McLaorin will be a very dangerous wide receiver duo.

A major concern in training camp for the Commanders is their Place Kickers. Jake Moody and

Drew Stevens are not converting field goals. Both Kickers have missed several FG’s from various

distances recently in practice.

Keep your eyes

DOLPHINS @ COMMANDERS

on them during the exhibition games.

FRIDAY AUGUST 14, at 7pm EST

NICK’S NUGGET

15 of the 32 teams in the National Football League play on synthetic turf. This makes no sense

to me. Why do NFL owners not invest money to keep their assets, healthy, and on the field?

Statistics show that players suffer less injuries playing on natural grass.

For the World Cup soccer tournament, FIFA invested money to install grass at SOFI and TEXAS

stadiums and maintained them for over a month during the World Cup tournament.

The Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, and Houston Texans play their home games in

these stadiums on synthetic turf.

Here are some statistics that show playing on Synthetic turf is harmful to the players--

Non-contact lower extremity injuries 28% higher Non-contact knee injuries 32% higher

Non-contact foot and ankle injuries 69% higher Season ending surgeries 60% higher

ACL and MCL injuries 50% higher

FYI-- Roger Goodell has been the commissioner of the National Football league since 2006 and

makes $60 million dollars per year.

The defending Super Bowl LX Champion, Seattle Seahawks were just purchased for $9.6 BILLION DOLLARS ‼️ --For the good of the game, PLEASE INSTALL GRASS AT ALL OF THE NFL STADIUMS AND MAKE PLAYER SAFTEY A PRIORITY‼️

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