Jets remain optimistic heading into clash with Titans

At least Aaron Rodgers made it through his first game this season with the New York Jets.

The Jets’ hopes of being 1-0 didn’t last too long past halftime of a 32-19 Monday night loss at San Francisco that really wasn’t close. A garbage-time touchdown with backup Tyrod Taylor running the offense masked the true, non-competitive nature of most of the second half.

New York and Rodgers shoot for a better result and better play Sunday when they visit Nashville, Tenn., for a clash with another 0-1 team, the Tennessee Titans.

Jets coach Robert Saleh said Tuesday that 0-1 with a healthy Rodgers feels better than 1-0 did in 2023 with Rodgers on the shelf for the year. The 40-year-old Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon on his fourth snap in last year’s opener against Buffalo, leaving New York’s offense an incoherent mess during a 7-10 season.

“I think our offense is in a really good place,” Saleh said. “I thought it was a good first outing in terms of, you know, for the quarterback, he hadn’t played in so long. But there was a lot of encouraging things and I know it’s going to be a lot better once we balance out this team.”

Rodgers completed 13 of 21 passes for 167 yards with a touchdown and a deflected interception but showed some rust, missing throws he made over and over during his 18 years with the Green Bay Packers.

A bigger concern for Jets fans might be a defense that was shredded by the 49ers for 401 total yards and 24 first downs. San Francisco possessed the ball for more than 38 minutes, but Saleh isn’t concerned about that unit.

“I know we’re going to get the defense fixed,” he said. “It’s not a problem.”

Playing Tennessee should shed more light on whether Saleh is right. The Titans blew a 17-0 lead in Week 1, losing 24-17 in Chicago as its offense sputtered in the debut of coach Brian Callahan.

Will Levis played more like an uncertain rookie than the now-second year quarterback who excited Tennessee at the end of last year. Levis was 19-of-32 passing for just 127 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. The first one was a pick-six by Tyrique Stevenson that gave the Bears the lead for good.

Levis played to a meager quarterback rating of 52.5 and Callahan wasn’t happy after the game. On Wednesday morning, the coach softened somewhat.

“I’d say so far, Will has handled it great,” Callahan said. “Even after the game, he was in a good place — understood the mistakes, understood what he had to correct and was ready to move forward.”

The result canceled out an excellent performance from the defense, which permitted Chicago only 148 total yards and 11 first downs. The Titans notched two sacks and forced a turnover while not allowing the Bears’ offense into the end zone.

“It was almost as if we’d just punted on first-and-10 every time, we might have won the game, the way we gave it away,” said Callahan.

The Titans own a 25-20-1 lead in the teams’ all-time series. The Jets won the most recent meeting three years ago in overtime.

Jets defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw (personal reasons) did not practice on Wednesday, while cornerbacks Michael Carter II (ankle) and D.J. Reed (knee) were limited. Wide receiver Mike Williams (knee) and defensive lineman Michael Clemons (tricep) were full participants.

Titans safety Jamal Adams (hip) and guard Dillon Radunz (rib) were full participants on Wednesday.

–Field Level Media

Russ revenge game nixed, Broncos introduce rookie QB to Steelers

Rather than the starring role in a Pittsburgh Steelers’ revival, former Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson returns to Denver as an extra in the Week 2 game with an entirely different subplot than expected.

Justin Fields guided the Steelers (1-0) to an 18-10 win at Atlanta last week with Wilson out because of a calf injury. He will try to push Pittsburgh to 2-0 for the first time since 2020 as the road show continues at Denver (0-1). Fields rushed for 57 yards and completed 73.3 percent of his passes to defeat the Falcons after learning he could start three days before the regular-season opener.

“As I sit here today, we’re preparing as if Justin is going to be our quarterback,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said. “I think that’s the appropriate way to do it. Speculation is a waste of time. Russell’s hurt. He’s not available to us.”

Even if he stays on the sideline, the Broncos would thoroughly enjoy giving Wilson a certain brand of Mile High Salute on Sunday as they introduce rookie first-round pick Bo Nix to the home crowd. In a 26-20 loss to the Seahawks last week, Nix rushed for the Broncos’ only touchdown but was intercepted twice in his NFL debut at Seattle.

The Broncos allowed a 34-yard touchdown run to Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith — not known as a runner — that might have Fields giddy.

Getting the ball downfield and finding more support — in pass protection and from skill-position talent — are critical components Broncos head coach Sean Payton said was lacking last week. Payton said pass protection was “average at best,” a reversal from last season when he chided his veteran starter — Wilson — by saying sacks are a reflection of the quarterback. Wilson was sacked 100 times in two seasons with the Broncos.

“We need to be better around him and we will be,” Payton said.

Denver ball carriers gained zero yards after contact in Week 1, which falls on the running backs and blockers from wide receiver to the offensive line.

“There’s not one specific thing. The thing I continue to like is obviously his movement skills. Obviously it became a much more difficult game when it was 3rd-and-long,” Payton said. “We’ve got to be better on early downs.”

To avoid starting the season 0-2 for the fourth time since 2019, the Broncos are crossing their fingers durable left tackle Garett Bolles can return from an ankle injury that sent him to the locker room in the opener.

Even with a mix of three-tight end and goal-line packages from first-year Steelers coordinator Arthur Smith, no problems arose pushing the ball deep with Fields outside of one long throw negated by George Pickens being flagged for offensive pass interference. Pickens had a 40-yard grab and averaged 14.2 yards per reception. There is optimism rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson could be back Sunday after he ran routes at full speed Wednesday. Wilson was carted off the field at training camp on July 30 and is recovering from a foot injury.

Avoiding Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II might be impossible, but coaches made it clear they’re not eager to attack the high-paid cover man, even if Pickens pointed the finger back at his old SEC rival. Pickens played at Georgia and Surtain was an All-SEC corner at Alabama.

“I went up against Pat Surtain in college. So a lot of this stuff isn’t new to me,” Pickens said. “I just hope they have their plan correct.”

Health could be a factor for the Steelers’ offensive line. Starting right tackle Broderick Jones aligned at left tackle with Dan Moore (foot) out of practice Wednesday and Troy Fautanu working as the starter at right tackle. Moore has a chance to return late in the week.

Tomlin said Russell Wilson, who missed part of training camp with the same injury, felt better Tuesday than he did Sunday morning in an on-field workout pregame used to determine he wasn’t able to go against Atlanta. But until he’s fully cleared to participate, Pittsburgh plans to set sail with Fields.

Wilson was limited on Wednesday, a pre-planned conditioning day, and worked behind Kyle Allen as the No. 3 quarterback.

Payton said he will “plan for Fields” but prepare players to expect Wilson to be available.

“We’re not playing tennis or golf. We’re playing a team game. We’re playing the Steelers,” Payton said.

Help was plentiful for Fields at Atlanta. The Steelers controlled the ball with 41 rushing attempts for 137 yards and Fields was 9 of 13 on play-action passes, consistently operating with his feet set in a clean pocket. Pittsburgh pitched a second-half shutout on the road last week with two interceptions and outside linebacker T.J. Watt had a game-ending sack and forced a fumble.

Payton is 3-0 all-time against Tomlin and the Broncos are 5-1 at home against the Steelers under Tomlin. Pittsburgh has won 10 of its last 12 games when facing a rookie starting quarterback.

Wilson costs the Broncos a record $53 million cap charge in 2024 and another $32 million next season while he’s making backup QB money for the Steelers on a one-year, $1.2 million contract. Wilson was benched late last season over a dispute with the Broncos about guarantees in his contract, then released in March. They traded five draft picks, two of them first-rounders, to acquire Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks in 2022.

–Field Level Media

Dolphins using game vs. Bills as ‘extreme distraction’

The Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins needed come-from-behind victories to make up for slow starts on Sunday. The AFC East rivals will kick off Week 2 of the NFL season when they get together on Thursday in Miami Gardens, Fla.

It’s an especially short turnaround for the Dolphins (1-0) with the organization still reeling from Tyreek Hill’s detainment by Miami-Dade police hours before the team’s season opener.

Body camera footage released Monday showed that police officers aggressively pulled Hill out of his car, forced him to the ground and handcuffed him following a traffic stop. One officer held him down with a knee on his back. Tensions had escalated when Hill didn’t immediately comply with officers’ instructions to roll down his window. Teammate Calais Campbell, who wanted to de-escalate the situation, was also briefly detained.

Hill’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has since called for the officers to be fired for their “horrendous” treatment of the Miami star receiver, while one officer who was assigned to administrative duty has retained attorneys as he seeks reinstatement.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, amid detailed and emotional remarks defending his players, said there was a silver lining in the team’s short week.

“We are able to immerse ourselves into something that is a tangible goal that you have some control over,” McDaniel said. “At times, it will be therapeutic for NFL game week and a Thursday opponent. That can be our greatest gift — our gift of extreme distraction. Our guys are highly motivated, especially when the world creeps in on you and rattles you a little bit.”

Hill played on Sunday and came away with seven catches, 130 yards and an 80-yard touchdown that aided the Dolphins’ 20-17 comeback win over the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars. Fellow receiver Jaylen Waddle helped Hill celebrate the big score by grabbing Hill’s wrists and miming a handcuffing motion.

Tua Tagovailoa led all NFL quarterbacks in Week 1 with 338 passing yards as he guided the Dolphins out of a 17-7 halftime deficit. He will be tasked with helping his team compartmentalize after an emotional weekend.

“Guys are in the right frame of mind. Guys are ready to play this game,” Tagovailoa said Tuesday. “There’s just been a lot of guys (preparing) up here in the building the past day or so since we played, so I think that’s a good thing for us.”

The Bills have dominated the all-time series between the teams recently, winning 10 of the past 11 regular-season meetings plus eliminating the Dolphins in the wild-card round of the playoffs during the 2022 season with a 34-31 home win.

“That’s gonna be the narrative, that we can’t beat the Bills, and until we do beat them and we beat them consistently, none of that’s gonna change,” Tagovailoa said.

Buffalo (1-0) got good news on star quarterback Josh Allen, who hurt his left (non-throwing) hand against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. After testing, Allen was cleared to play against Miami, and he was a full participant in practice Tuesday while wearing a glove on the hand.

“Just trying to be as normal as possible,” Allen said Tuesday. “Felt like I threw well today and was able to do all the things, so ready to go.”

Allen threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more as the Bills dug out of a 17-3 hole to beat Arizona 34-28.

Allen was stellar against Miami last season, compiling 679 passing yards, six TD passes and one rushing touchdown while throwing two interceptions in two meetings.

Tagovailoa will need to keep an eye on Bills pass rusher Greg Rousseau, who tallied three sacks in Week 1. Buffalo, in turn, is watching out for the Dolphins’ trademark quickness.

“They got tremendous, tremendous speed,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said. “It’s unlike I’ve ever seen, and not just this year but in years past. … If you don’t get near them, they’re gone. Even when you get near them, they pull away.”

That speed could be tamped down, Raheem Mostert (chest) was ruled out for the game on Wednesday and fellow running back De’Von Achane (ankle) is a game-time decision.

Wide receiver Malik Washington (quadriceps) also missed the week’s first two practices, while offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg (shoulder), linebacker Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) and star corner Jalen Ramsey (hamstring) were limited.

Bills cornerback Taron Johnson (forearm) and defensive end Dawuane Smoot (toe) were ruled out for Thursday’s game. Running back Ty Johnson (knee) put in a full practice on Wednesday and does not carry an injury designation, although defensive end Javon Solomon (oblique) was limited for the second straight day and is doubtful for the game.

–Field Level Media

Dolphins using game vs. Bills as ‘extreme distraction’

The Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins needed come-from-behind victories to make up for slow starts on Sunday. The AFC East rivals will kick off Week 2 of the NFL season when they get together on Thursday in Miami Gardens, Fla.

It’s an especially short turnaround for the Dolphins (1-0) with the organization still reeling from Tyreek Hill’s detainment by Miami-Dade police hours before the team’s season opener.

Body camera footage released Monday showed that police officers aggressively pulled Hill out of his car, forced him to the ground and handcuffed him following a traffic stop. One officer held him down with a knee on his back. Tensions had escalated when Hill didn’t immediately comply with officers’ instructions to roll down his window. Teammate Calais Campbell, who wanted to de-escalate the situation, was also briefly detained.

Hill’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has since called for the officers to be fired for their “horrendous” treatment of the Miami star receiver, while one officer who was assigned to administrative duty has retained attorneys as he seeks reinstatement.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, amid detailed and emotional remarks defending his players, said there was a silver lining in the team’s short week.

“We are able to immerse ourselves into something that is a tangible goal that you have some control over,” McDaniel said. “At times, it will be therapeutic for NFL game week and a Thursday opponent. That can be our greatest gift — our gift of extreme distraction. Our guys are highly motivated, especially when the world creeps in on you and rattles you a little bit.”

Hill played on Sunday and came away with seven catches, 130 yards and an 80-yard touchdown that aided the Dolphins’ 20-17 comeback win over the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars. Fellow receiver Jaylen Waddle helped Hill celebrate the big score by grabbing Hill’s wrists and miming a handcuffing motion.

Tua Tagovailoa led all NFL quarterbacks in Week 1 with 338 passing yards as he guided the Dolphins out of a 17-7 halftime deficit. He will be tasked with helping his team compartmentalize after an emotional weekend.

“Guys are in the right frame of mind. Guys are ready to play this game,” Tagovailoa said Tuesday. “There’s just been a lot of guys (preparing) up here in the building the past day or so since we played, so I think that’s a good thing for us.”

The Bills have dominated the all-time series between the teams recently, winning 10 of the past 11 regular-season meetings plus eliminating the Dolphins in the wild-card round of the playoffs during the 2022 season with a 34-31 home win.

“That’s gonna be the narrative, that we can’t beat the Bills, and until we do beat them and we beat them consistently, none of that’s gonna change,” Tagovailoa said.

Buffalo (1-0) got good news on star quarterback Josh Allen, who hurt his left (non-throwing) hand against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. After testing, Allen was cleared to play against Miami, and he was a full participant in practice Tuesday while wearing a glove on the hand.

“Just trying to be as normal as possible,” Allen said Tuesday. “Felt like I threw well today and was able to do all the things, so ready to go.”

Allen threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more as the Bills dug out of a 17-3 hole to beat Arizona 34-28.

Allen was stellar against Miami last season, compiling 679 passing yards, six TD passes and one rushing touchdown while throwing two interceptions in two meetings.

Tagovailoa will need to keep an eye on Bills pass rusher Greg Rousseau, who tallied three sacks in Week 1. Buffalo, in turn, is watching out for the Dolphins’ trademark quickness.

“They got tremendous, tremendous speed,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said. “It’s unlike I’ve ever seen, and not just this year but in years past. … If you don’t get near them, they’re gone. Even when you get near them, they pull away.”

That speed could be tamped down if running backs Raheem Mostert (chest) and De’Von Achane (ankle) don’t play. They were sat out practice on Monday and Tuesday. Wide receiver Malik Washington (quadriceps) also missed the week’s first two practices, while offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg (shoulder), linebacker Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) and star corner Jalen Ramsey (hamstring) were limited.

Bills cornerback Taron Johnson (forearm) and defensive end Dawuane Smoot (toe) were ruled out for Thursday. Running back Ty Johnson (knee) and defensive end Javon Solomon (oblique) were limited in practice on Tuesday.

–Field Level Media

Aaron Rodgers, Jets begin redemption season bid vs. 49ers

Aaron Rodgers sustained a season-ending torn left Achilles tendon on the fourth snap of his New York Jets’ debut last season.

In recent days, the veteran quarterback has been thinking about how to react to snap No. 5 in Monday night’s season-opening game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif.

“There might be a little smirk after the fourth,” Rodgers said on Thursday. “I’m sure they’ll catch it (on camera).”

The 40-year-old Rodgers returns for his 20th season just two days shy of the one-year anniversary of his injury. His arrival before last season pumped life into the Jets, but it quickly evaporated due to his serious injury.

New York is hoping for a Rodgers revival, and the quarterback is looking forward to playing football instead of simply watching it.

And while the four-time NFL MVP says he has something to prove, there is only one person Rodgers is interested in impressing.

“Just myself at this point,” Rogers said. “I have a lot of pride in my performance. So, when I take the field, I expect greatness. And because I’ve done it before. So, that’s the kind of standard I hold myself to.”

The Jets went 7-10 in 2023 — their eighth straight losing season — and missed the playoffs for the 13th consecutive time.

Rodgers is hoping to silence the “Same Old Jets” refrain, and coach Robert Saleh sees a player ready to carry the team to greater heights.

“I think he’s in a great place,” Saleh said. “Not just mentally, but physically he looks awesome. … He’s a professional. He’s done it a long time.”

San Francisco (12-5 in 2023) has excelled in recent years, making four of the last five NFC Championship Games. The 49ers have won two of them but subsequently lost the Super Bowl both times, including last year’s 25-22 overtime defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs.

San Francisco has dealt with plenty of news off the field leading up to the season, with the holdouts of receiver Brandon Aiyuk and left tackle Trent Williams and the shooting of rookie wideout Ricky Pearsall.

Aiyuk agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension last week and Williams landed a restructured three-year, $82.66 million deal earlier this week. Both players will see action on Monday night.

“I want guys here. I want to prepare the guys for the season,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Thursday. “And you only can do so much on your own. But the bottom line is they’re here, and we got a long season ahead of us, and I’m pumped to have them for Week 1.”

Pearsall was shot in the chest on Saturday during an attempted robbery in the Union Square district of San Francisco. He was placed on the non-football injury list earlier this week and will miss at least four games.

“He’s as tough a person I know, just going through a situation like that,” Shanahan said of Pearsall. “We always felt this way watching him on the football field and things like that, but kind of to watch how he handled that situation, and watch how he’s been every day since, it shows how special of a guy he is.”

49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey is listed as questionable with a leg injury that limited him in practice all week. The team had previously listed him with a calf injury but Shanahan revealed Thursday that the injury includes the Achilles. McCaffrey insisted Friday that he will play.

San Francisco defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (knee) and linebacker Dee Winters (ankle) were ruled out on Saturday. Safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee) is doubtful and guard Aaron Banks (finger) is questionable.

New York is at a contract impasse with Pro Bowl pass rusher Haason Reddick, who was acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason.

Jets guard Wes Schweitzer (hand) and linebacker Zaire Barnes (ankle) will sit out the contest.

The 49ers have won 11 of the 14 all-time meetings, including a 31-13 road win in 2020.

–Field Level Media

Vikings’ Sam Darnold eager to prove himself in opener vs. Giants

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones and Minnesota Vikings signal-caller Sam Darnold have a few things in common — and some key differences — heading into a Sunday afternoon season-opening matchup in East Rutherford, N.J.

Jones is trying to prove that he deserves to keep his job as the Giants’ starter in his sixth year with New York. Meanwhile, Darnold, in his first season with the Vikings, wants to assure the front office, coaching staff, teammates and fans that he has what it takes to be under center for 17 games.

Both teams are looking to move on from losing seasons as they attempt to become playoff contenders. The Giants went 6-11 in 2023, while Minnesota finished 7-10.

“(I’m) just understanding better the role of a quarterback,” said Darnold, who spent last season with the San Francisco 49ers as a backup. “That’s like what coach (Kevin) O’Connell says to me: just to kind of play point guard, give it to our guys in space and let them go do work.”

In 2023, Jones started six games for New York before tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament in November and missing the rest of the season. He completed 67.5 percent of his passes for 909 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions, and his 70.5 passer rating was the lowest of his career.

Jones, 27, has a new weapon in rookie wideout Malik Nabers, whom the team selected sixth overall out of LSU in this year’s draft. Other playmakers, including receiver Darius Slayton, will look to make a difference against the Vikings’ new-look secondary, which is led by free agent signee Stephon Gilmore.

Slayton said he and his teammates feel confident entering the opening week of the season.

“In Week 1, you haven’t seen anybody playing any real game,” Slayton said. “You have an idea of what people are going to do, what they’ve done in the past and the type of schemes that they’ve liked in the past. But at the end of the day, it’s about going out there and executing.

“All 11 of us are on the same page, getting to the stuff we want to get to and trying to dictate the game as much as possible on offense.”

The Vikings will try to do their part on defense under defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Minnesota selected linebacker Dallas Turner out of Alabama in the first round of the April draft, and he will have an opportunity to rush the pocket alongside free agent signee Jonathan Greenard, who had 12.5 sacks with the Houston Texans a season ago.

The Giants also hope that a new addition bolsters their pass rush.

Brian Burns joined New York from the Carolina Panthers via trade during the offseason. He hopes to form a tough combination for opposing offensive lines to stop alongside Dexter Lawrence II, who will start at nose tackle.

“I’d be disappointed if I weren’t a double-digits sack guy anywhere,” Burns said. “I mean, but that’s just my personal goals.”

Burns, however, appeared on the Giants’ injury report after an ankle injury limited him in Friday’s practice. His status for Sunday is unknown.

Flores praised New York’s offensive ability but said his defense would be ready to contain New York.

“Week 1, everyone has some new wrinkles,” Flores said. “Everyone’s got a new play they can’t wait to run. I got a couple myself.”

Vikings wide receivers Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor were full participants in Friday’s practice after being limited on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Giants had four players limited during Friday’s practice aside from Burns, including linebacker Micah McFadden (groin) and safety Dane Belton (back).

–Field Level Media

Cowboys back Dak Prescott, begin season with rugged Browns

Cleveland crumpled quarterbacks on the regular last season, but the Browns couldn’t keep theirs healthy.

The Cowboys had the MVP runner-up under center, but Dallas was destroyed by an up-and-comer in another playoff disappointment.

Retooled and driven to get back to the postseason, the Cowboys travel to Cleveland for a Week 1 matchup destined to be determined by quarterbacks Dak Prescott and Deshaun Watson.

Prescott and the Cowboys went 12-5 last season, won the NFC East and hosted a playoff game. Because Prescott lost for a fifth time in the postseason and has just two career playoff wins, the national narrative since a home-field drubbing at the hands of the Green Bay Packers ended Dallas’ 2023 season has been something other than Pro-Dak.

Dallas wide receiver Brandin Cooks took up defense of Prescott on Wednesday as the Cowboys step into the challenge of solving Cleveland’s toothy defense with defensive end Myles Garrett front and center.

“The guy shows up every year, year in and year out. Putting up numbers, leading his team,” Cooks said of Prescott. “He can’t do it all by himself. A lot of those great quarterbacks that I’ve been with, Tom (Brady) and Drew (Brees), don’t get me wrong, they won a lot of games, won a lot of Super Bowls, but they had a lot of help around them as well, right?

“Us players around (Prescott) also got to step up. So when we hear that disrespect, I take that personally, and as his teammates, we should take that personally.”

Prescott and the Cowboys have been mired in a standoff over his contract status since last season ended. He’s in the final year of a four-year, $160 million deal and cannot be retained with the franchise tag.

It’s not as simple as “paying Dak,” according to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

Jones is lighter in the wallet after coming to the table to deliver a four-year, $136 million extension to get record-setting receiver CeeDee Lamb in the fold for Week 1 after a training camp holdout. And a bigger payday could be around the corner for pass rusher Micah Parsons by this time next year.

Lamb, 25, earned All-Pro first-team honors and set franchise records in 2023 with 135 receptions for 1,749 yards. He’ll be locking up with Browns cornerback Denzel Ward in a popcorn-worthy matchup to focus on this week. Lamb said he’s rooting for Prescott to stay with the Cowboys.

“I have no doubt that they’re gonna get a deal done. We all know that I want Dak here. Jerry wants Dak here, too, so let’s just get this under control and kill the speculation,” Lamb said.

Watson has his own battle to fight. The Browns went to the playoffs on the revived arm of Joe Flacco following a season-ending shoulder injury that Watson sustained.

With 12 total starts since the end of the 2020 season, Watson said he’s recovered from that injury and is prepared to prove his value. That’s a serious ask considering he’s in the middle of a five-year, $230 million contract that the team fully guaranteed when he was acquired from the Houston Texans.

“Regardless (of) if you won MVP or if you didn’t play last year, it’s a new year,” Watson said Wednesday. “In this league, if you’re focusing on last year, then you’re going to get left behind.”

The Browns are leaving former All-Pro running back Nick Chubb behind — at least for the first four games of the campaign — after a devastating knee injury in Week 2 last season. Jerome Ford, who teamed with Kareem Hunt to take Chubb’s workload in 2023, is the lead back facing the Cowboys to start the 2024 season.

Meanwhile, Ezekiel Elliott is back for Dallas and is listed first on the depth chart. Elliott, drafted in the first round in 2016, the year Prescott was picked in the fourth round, reunited with Dallas after spending last season as a backup with the New England Patriots.

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy reiterated that there is a committee approach at running back that will include Rico Dowdle. And for anyone reacting to the Week 1 depth chart, McCarthy had another message for them and the team entering the season opener.

“I have plans for 21 games,” he said of the long view of a season that would culminate with the Super Bowl.

The Cowboys listed just one player as out for Sunday’s game: tight end John Stephens (hamstring). The Browns will be without left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee), while right tackle Jack Conklin (knee) is listed as questionable.

–Field Level Media