NFL TRAINING CAMP NOTES

PITTSBURGH

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Tough competitions: CBs Coty Sensabaugh and Cameron Sutton are vying for the top reserve spot on the outside and each had an interception in the first preseason game. LBs Keion Adams and Olasunkanmi Adeniyi should continue to face off for reps. Anthony Chickillo is the incumbent reserve outside linebacker, but Adeniyi and Adams stood out in their first preseason action and the Steelers need one of them to push Chickillo. Also, Fitzgerald Toussaint was arguably the best running back against the Eagles, putting Stevan Ridley and Jaylen Samuels on notice behind starter Le’Veon Bell, who is holding out.

ROOKIE WATCH

After a solid rookie preseason debut, it is time for the next steps from QB Mason Rudolph. He and Joshua Dobbs had good games against Philadelphia, and while Rudolph’s spot on the roster is secure, look for improvement on his 7-for-12, 101 passing-yard performance against the Eagles as the preseason goes along.

ARIZONA

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

No help for Rosen: Rookie quarterback Josh Rosen made his debut in the first half of the Cardinals’ 24-17 win over the Chargers on Aug. 11. He finished 6for-13 for 41 yards. Playing behind the second-team offensive line and facing the Chargers’ starting defense for part of his stint, he was under constant pressure. Center Daniel Munyer snapped the ball low to him multiple times, disrupting his timing. Rosen did throw a dropped interception, but his receivers were unable to make plays on nice throws. Rosen showed great arm talent and poise at times. “There’s a lot of things he’s going to be able to learn and grow from,” head coach Steve Wilks said. “We expect him to get better, along with myself and everybody else.”

ROOKIE WATCH

While most will have their eyes on Rosen, third-round pick Mason Cole has been thrust into a starting role at center after A.Q. Shipley tore his ACL. The team has high hopes for the rookie out of Michigan.

ATLANTA

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Rough debut: The Falcons were shut out 17-0 Aug. 10 at the Jets in their first preseason game. With top playmakers Julio Jones and Devonta Free man sitting out, the offense struggled, managing one first down and 60 yards in the first half. Matt Ryan threw one pass for -2 yards before leaving the game. A positive was the play of undrafted WR Devin Gray, who had 83 yards on four catches. Rookie third string quarterback Kurt Benkert also showed some promise. There were several bright spots on defense. Second year DB Damontae Kazee was the star, making plays all over the field and finishing the game with 11 combined tackles.

ROOKIE WATCH

DT Deadrin Senat and LB Foye Oluokun had strong performances in their first NFL preseason action. However, Jets QBs Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Darnold encountered little resistance from Atlanta’s defensive backups, combining for 181 yards passing and two touchdowns.

BALTIMORE

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Undefeated: The Ravens beat up on the Rams 33-7 and moved to 2-0 on their extended preseason that began with the Hall of Fame Game. Baltimore’s offense looked alive against the Rams, moving the ball effortlessly and into the end zone in QB Joe Flacco ’s lone 10-play, 71-yard drive. Flacco hit several of his new targets in the process, spreading the ball around and connecting on a deep pass to WR Michael Crabtree. Look for Baltimore to build on the momentum it’s carrying offensively against a starting defense. The Ravens will travel to Indiana to hold joint practices with the Colts ahead of their Aug. 20 game.

ROOKIE WATCH

Keep an eye out for first-round pick Hayden Hurst. The tight end is beginning to look the part of a veteran. With the starters expected to become more acclimated to each other in the preseason, Hurst has an opportunity to cement himself as one of Flacco’s favorite targets. Look for Hurst to become Flacco’s safety valve if a play breaks down.

BUFFALO

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Looking up? Despite a 28-23 loss to the Panthers in their preseason opener, the Bills showcased an offense that looked good to great. Nathan Peterman completed his first nine passes before he was intercepted on a tipped pass. Peterman went 9-for-10 with 119 yards and a score. That TD pass went to Kelvin Benjamin, who had four catches for 59 yards. But Peterman didn’t quite win the opening-day job because AJ McCarron followed him and played just as well. McCarron didn’t score but went 7-for-10 with a 59-yard pass to Brandon Reilly.

Both will continue to rotate as the starter through practices, and the battle will continue through Aug. 17, when Buffalo faces the Browns in Cleveland.

ROOKIE WATCH

Josh Allen is the final cog in the quarterback battle, but he’s the outside man looking in. The No. 7 overall pick played the entire second half with reserves. He flashed his big arm with a pass that traveled nearly 60 yards in the air but played inconsistently.

CAROLINA

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Help for Cam: The Panthers went out of their way in the last two drafts to get QB Cam Newton offensive help. It was on display in the first preseason game, a 28-23 win over the Bills. RB Christian McCaffrey posted 40 yards from scrimmage and scored a touchdown in limited action. WRs DJ Moore and Curtis Samuel combined for eight receptions and 118 yards. On the other side of the ball, the defensive line struggled to get pressure against a tough Buffalo offensive line. In the backfield, CB Kevon Seymour got beat several times by former

Carolina receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who totaled 59 yards and a touchdown on his team’s opening drive. Seymour might have given up a lot more points if not for a few errant deep passes by Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

ROOKIE WATCH

Backup QBs Garrett Gilbert and Taylor Heinicke had strong games. Neither is a rookie, but Gilbert has never appeared in regular-season game and Heinicke has thrown one pass.

CHICAGO

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Broncos provide test: The Bears hold joint practices with the Broncos this week ahead of their Aug. 18 matchup. The new opponent should provide a tougher test for Chicago’s offensive line than Chicago’s defenders. Instead, it will battle a deep edge rusher group led by Von Miller. Facing the Broncos secondary could be a nice change of pace for Mitchell Trubisky, who threw plenty of interceptions during the early portion of training camp. Denver also has a strong stable of wide receivers with the potential to push Bears CBs Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara each day and make for some exciting matchups when the teams face off.

ROOKIE WATCH

Second-round pick James Daniels is making his case for the starting lineup after a strong performance last week against the Bengals. The Bears prefer him at center where Cody Whitehair currently plays, but one of the two could move to left guard and bump Eric Kush back to the bench.

CINCINNATI

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Fishing for starters: New offensive line coach Frank Pollack hasn’t seen clear-cut winners emerge on the right side of the line. Going into the preseason win over the Bears, Trey Hopkins and Bobby Hart were listed as starters at right guard and tackle, respectively. Both played well, but some questions remain at the two spots. Christian Westerman played a healthy number of snaps and looked great. Jake Fisher, last year’s starter at tackle before offseason heart surgery, struggled, as did Cedric Ogbuehi. Both are question marks as far as backup swing tackles.

ROOKIE WATCH

Seventh-round pick Auden Tate , dubbed “young Brandon Marshall” by WR A.J. Green , lived up to the hype by soaring for what turned out to be a game winning touchdown against the Bears — just a few days removed from clearing concussion protocol. He appears to be a bargain as a seventh-round pick. What he brings to an offense led by Andy Dalton is too valuable to ignore.

CLEVEL AND

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Baker buzz: Could the Browns have two starting-caliber quarterbacks after years of struggling to find one? It sure looked that way in the opener, a spirited 20-10 win over the Giants. Tyrod Taylor completed all five of his passes for 99 yards and led the Browns to a touchdown before giving way after two drives to No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield . The rookie threw two TD passes while completing 11 of 20 for 212 yards. It was Mayfield’s poise, confidence and ability to move around while staying ready to throw that stood out in his debut. Coach Hue Jackson continues to stand by Taylor as the starter, but the buzz around Mayfield is growing louder. Taylor’s leadership and chemistry with top receiver Jarvis Landry should keep him firmly in the starting position.

ROOKIE WATCH

Second-round RB Nick Chubb gained 11 yards on 15 carries. The reserve offensive linemen did him no favors in blocking, but Chubb wasn’t able to make the first tackler miss effectively.

DALLAS

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Fast starts: Dallas has a new data to evaluate after its opener against the 49ers. The Cowboys saw what they needed out of QB Dak Prescott, who was 3-for-3 on his passes, including a 30yard deep touchdown pass to rookie Michael Gallup. Prescott has never been a strong practice player, so the game was a great respite for fans clamoring for positive news. Dallas appears to have a plethora of linebacker depth, as Sean Lee sat out but Jaylon Smith and Joe Thomas played well. Lee makes his debut Aug. 18 against Cincinnati. Depth seemed to be a concern on the offensive line and the secondary, and an injury to a disappointing backup guard Marcus Martin could send the team looking for help.

ROOKIE WATCH

First-round pick Leighton Vander Esch made his debut on the second unit and fared relatively well but was indecisive in run support. He snared a sideline pass and almost got both feet in bounds. The play showed his coverage abilities, which will be his calling card.

DENVER

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Keenum has ‘stuff to learn’: Case Keenum was underwhelming in two series in the Broncos’ opener, a 42-28 loss to the Vikings on Aug. 11. Keenum and Denver’s first-team offense failed to pick up any first downs as the 30-year-old quarterback went 1-for-4 for 5 yards. It was a quiet debut, but Coach Vance Joseph wasn’t alarmed, reaffirming Keenum is the starter. Keenum was harder on himself than his head coach. “You can’t have negative plays,” Keenum said. “It’s frustrating not playing well. ... We have some stuff to learn, and I’m excited to get back on the field this week.”

ROOKIE WATCH

Phillip Lindsay totaled 81 all-purpose yards and scored a touchdown in his NFL debut. While he’s still far behind Devontae Booker and Royce Freeman in the competition for the starting running back job, the undrafted rookie was listed as the team’s top kick returner on the depth chart and is quickly becoming a favorite to make the 53-man roster.

DETROIT

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Refreshed run game: A bright spot in Detroit’s opening loss in Oakland was the revitalized rushing attack. The Lions have the longest drought in the NFL for a running back to gain 100 yards in a game, but rookie Kerryon Johnson proved he could break the string, which dates to Thanksgiving 2013. Johnson, the team’s second-round pick from Auburn, had 34 yards on seven carries but also a 57yard scamper called back on a holding penalty. He sashayed through the Raiders defense for 19 yards with some nifty moves and acceleration on a screen pass. First-round pick Frank Ragnow was outstanding as the starting left guard and helped clear holes for Johnson and veteran Ameer Abdullah on the latter’s touchdown run. Fifth-round tackle Tyrell Crosby played extensively and thrived in run blocking, though his hold wiped out Johnson’s long run.

ROOKIE WATCH

Fourth-round pick Da’Shawn Hand notched four tackles on defense but also two on special teams.

GREEN BAY

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Lining up to back up: Aaron Rodgers didn’t play in the opener, leaving all the work against the Titans to backups

Brett Hundley DeShone Kizer and Tim Boyle. The trio produced 356 passing yards and three touchdown passes. Hundley showed growth in leading an opening-series TD drive, Kizer moved the ball with consistency and Boyle sealed the win with two late scores. The backup situation looked straightforward after the Packers added Kizer this offseason, but Hundley is holding serve and Boyle has intriguing talent worth developing. The Pack likely will need the last three preseason games to determine the pecking order behind Rodgers. It’s possible they keep all four.

ROOKIE WATCH

Fifth-round draft pick Marquez Valdes- Scantling caught five passes for 101 yards and a TD. He skied to catch a deep ball from Kizer and came down with a 15-yard score from Boyle. His size (6-4, 206 pounds) and speed could give the Packers a dangerous deep threat.

HOUSTON

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Coaching up the ‘D’: The results of Romeo Crennel returning as defensive coordinator were evident in Houston’s 17-10 over the Chiefs. Backup DE Angelo Blackson recorded the game’s only sack, and sixth-round LB Duke Ejiofor had three quarterback hits. Second year LB Zach Cunningham intercepted Chiefs QB Chad Henne while second- year CB Josh Thornton tipped away a 4th-and-goal pass from the 3yard line to preserve the win. The play of the second and third string hints at Crennel’s ability to coach up a defense when stars J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, Whitney Mercilus and Tyrann Mathieu aren’t on the field.

ROOKIE WATCH

Third-round TE Jordan Akins became the first Texan to catch two touchdown passes in a preseason game. They were his only catches of the game and totaled 20 yards. The Central Florida alumnus and former minor league baseball player was second on the depth chart behind sixth-year TE Ryan Griffin.

NDIANAPOLIS

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Luck comeback kicks off: Andrew Luck returned to game action against the Seahawks for the first time since having surgery on his throwing shoulder in January 2017. The 28-year-old quarterback attempted nine passes through the first two drives, completing six for 64 yards. There was rust to Luck’s game, but plenty more encouragement could be taken from it. “That’s exactly what we were hoping to get in terms of finding a rhythm and moving the ball,” head coach Frank Reich said, according to “The Indianapolis Star.” The Colts could extend Luck’s playing time Aug. 20 when they host the Ravens.

ROOKIE WATCH

Although he’s yet to make some noise, WR and fifth-round pick Reece Fountain should see some opportunities to make an impact on the depth chart and in the offense after it was revealed that fellow rookie Deon Cain suffered a torn ACL in the preseason opener. Fountain played 52 games over four seasons at Northern Iowa.

JACKSONVILLE

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Visiting Vikings practice: After a productive preseason game against the Saints, the Vikings host the Jaguars for two joint practice sessions Aug. 15-16 in Eagan, Minnesota. QB Blake Bortles will look to continue his solid offseason against the Vikings defense, which finished as the best overall unit in football last season. The Jaguars start the week without CB Jalen Ramsey and DE Dante Fowler, who have been suspended by the team for violating rules and conduct unbecoming of a player. On Aug. 12, a “Florida Times-Union” reporter tweeted out a video of a practice confrontation between Fowler and DE Yannick Ngakoue. At the end of the video, Ramsey instructed the reporter to stop recording. Ramsey then sent out a tweet lashing out at the reporter and media members.

ROOKIE WATCH

First-round DL Taven Bryan missed the Saints game with an abdominal injury but returned to practice last weekend. He’s flashed his strength and ability to make it into the backfield.

KANSAS CITY

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Early surprises: Undrafted rookies flourished in the Chiefs’ opener against the Texans. The most impressive of them was LB Ben Niemann, who had a fourth down run stop that forced a change of possession on downs for Kansas City. This allowed for QB Chase Litton to lead an impressive 25-play final drive that ended in a 4th-and-goal stop by Houston. Elsewhere, RB Darrel William shad 21 touches. Byron Pringle was in on the most offensive snaps of any wide receiver but had just one reception for 16 yards on two targets.

ROOKIE WATCH

Breeland Speaks, the first pick of the draft (46th overall), looked good in his first outing. The defensive end from Mississippi lined up with the first and second teams as a rush outside linebacker. He looked comfortable in his new position, including dropping into coverage. Speaks also showed off a variety of pass-rush moves throughout the game. While he didn’t notch a sack, he had a couple of quarterback pressures and one quarterback hit.

L.A. CHARGERS

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Chargers pick up where they left off: The Chargers looked to establish a new identity after a 9-7 finish that included some mishaps but fell flat on their faces in their opener, a 24-17 loss to the Cardinals. The Chargers started with a three-and-out on offense. On the ensuing possession, their defense gave up an eight-play touchdown drive. The first two plays of the drive went for 14 yards each. Both featured missed tackles and defensive linemen 5 yards back. To make matters worse, kicking woes that hurt the Chargers last season continue. Caleb Sturgis missed a 41-yard field goal attempt.

ROOKIE TO WATCH

Second-rounder Uchenna Nwosu, a linebacker, outshined first-round safety Derwin James, showing a contagious array of energy and hustle. Nwosu had a sack and a couple of other hustle plays against the Cardinals, earning himself more time with the starters in Week 2 when Los Angeles hosts Seattle on Aug. 18.

L.A. RAMS

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Second string struggles: Coach Sean McVay opted to rest all but two of the primary starters against the Ravens last week, a decision he admittedly had a tough time making. QB Sean Mannion played the first half, and it wasn’t pretty. He completed 3 of 13 passes for 16 yards and an interception, failing to move the ball with any success. Due to those struggles, McVay must determine whether Brandon Allen or Luis Perez can handle backup duties behind Jared Goff, or if the Rams need to sign a free agent to replace Mannion. If Goff goes down with an injury, Los Angeles might have a tough time consistently winning games.

ROOKIE WATCH

LB Micah Kiser hasn’t made much of an impression in training camp, but he was all over the field against the Ravens. He made a game-high six tackles and filled running lanes the way Alec Ogletree failed to do last season. The fifth round draft pick was a four-year player at Virginia.

MIAMI

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Step forward: QB Ryan Tannehill, who was out last season with a knee injury, played one series in the opener against Tampa Bay, but the 30-year-old finished 4-for-6 for 32 yards and guided the Dolphins into the red zone. Although kicker Jason Sanders missed his field-goal attempt, the drive was encouraging. In his first game since Dec. 11, 2016, Tannehill looked mobile as ever as he ran around the field without any limitations. Tannehill also was comfortable in the no-huddle offense, completing his first four passes. “I was just soaking it all up, soaking up every moment I could and enjoying it because I knew what it was like not to be able to be out there and have to struggle through missing a whole year,” Tannehill said.

ROOKIE WATCH

In his first NFL game, Jerome Baker put his name in the mix for the Dolphins starting outside linebacker spot. Baker recorded a team-high five tackles against the Buccaneers and exhibited speed and athleticism.

MINNESOTA

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Sharp in debut: QB Kirk Cousins played one series against the Broncos, but he was exactly what Vikings fans hoped for. He was 4-for-4, throwing for 42 yards and a touchdown to Stefon Diggs. We’ve heard all offseason that Cousins has great chemistry with his receivers, and we saw it on display in his preseason debut. The biggest challenge for Cousins and the Vikings will be the offensive line. Nick Easton, the team’s starting left guard, will likely miss the season after having neck surgery. The question is whether the Vikings have enough depth.

ROOKIE WATCH

RB Roc Thomas hasn’t really been on the radar in camp, but he was electric against the Broncos, catching two TD passes, including a 78-yarder. The top two spots at running back will be Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray .Thomas might need another solid game against the Jaguars Aug. 18. He’s listed as the team’s fourth running back. That likely won’t be good enough to crack the roster.

NEW ENGLAND

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Super Bowl “rematch”: The Patriots will play the Eagles in Week 2 of preseason six months after their Super Bowl LII loss to Philadelphia. The game is sure to draw conflicted feelings about their narrow defeat. Even Bill Belichick admitted the Patriots’ deep postseason run has impacted their team as it prepares for this season. They’re simply not as fresh as teams that were eliminated in Week 17. Tom Brady, for example, is dealing with a sore back, according to multiple news reports. Whether Brady is healthy in time for Week 2 of the preseason, the Patriots are sure to enter the game sore about the results from the Super Bowl.

ROOKIE WATCH

LB Ja’Whaun Bentley, a fifth round draft pick, was a pleasant surprise during the Patriots’ first preseason game. He relayed plays in the defensive huddle and managed six tackles with two for loss. A bigger surprise, however, was Bentley’s competence in coverage after he was exclusively a run stopper at Purdue.

NEW ORLEANS

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Battle for backup QB: It’s a necessary issue given Drew Brees is 39 and entering his 18th NFL season. Tom Savage was signed to a one-year deal, but the former Texan was largely uninspiring in the preseason opener. The question is whether Taysom Hill, a favorite of head coach Sean Payton, is going to be ready to take the job. He showed poise, completing 8 of 9 passes for 72 yards in the 24-20 win over Jacksonville. Hill, 27, who played at BYU and was undrafted in 2017, has yet to throw a pass in a regular season NFL game.

ROOKIE WATCH

WR Tre’Quan Smith has a unique opportunity. The third-round pick from Central Florida finds himself in a proven, dynamic passing offense to start his career, with a bona fide No. 1 receiver in Michael Thomas taking all of the defense’s attention. Smith played a team-high 46 snaps and saw five targets in the preseason win. He hauled in four of those targets for 48 yards, running an array of routes. He had 1,171 yards and 13 TDs last year at UCF.

NEW YORK GIANTS

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Shurmur vs. Patricia: The Giants and Lions will hold joint practices this week in advance of their Aug. 17 game in Detroit. Lions coach Matt Patricia interviewed for the Giants’ head coaching position before President/CEO John Mara and chairman/executive vice president Steve Tisch’s decision to hire Pat Shurmur.

ROOKIE WATCH

RB Saquon Barkley made a full-out fingertip grab of a Kyle Lauletta pass during drills Aug. 13, leaving the defense in his wake as he raced up the left sideline. Barkley appeared to slow up at the end of the play. The No. 2 overall draft pick later had an ice pack on his left thigh/leg after getting stretched out, but by the end of practice, roughly 15 minutes later, the wrap was off and he walked with teammates out of the field house. “Saquon has a mild strain, and we’ll be smart with him as we move along here,” Shurmur said later in the afternoon via the team’s Twitter account.

NEW YORK JETS

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Pryor hurt: WR Terrelle Pryor revealed he broke an ankle in May during offseason workouts. That injury, which required surgery, came as he was recovering from a foot injury that cost him most of the 2017 season, when he played with Washington. The 29-yearold said he’s fully recovered from the foot and ankle injuries, but the Jets will continue their cautious approach. Pryor said he won’t play this week. While Pryor’s foot and ankle are at 100 percent, he says he’s dealing with hip pain because it has been so long since he ran regularly. Even at less than 100 percent, Pryor made a memorable one-handed catch for a TD during team drills last week. This week, he had a one-handed catch over two Washington defenders during a joint practice.

ROOKIE WATCH

DL Nathan Shepherd started in Week 1 against the Falcons and made the most of it. There was some concern over how the Division II product would fair against NFL talent, but he was a force.

OAKLAND

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

BRYANT DROPS DOWN DEPTH CHART:

When the Raiders traded for WR Martavis Bryant, many assumed he would be the team’s No. 2 receiver, opposite

Amari Cooper. But it’s been a rough training camp for Bryant, as he’s fallen to No. 4 on the depth chart, behind Cooper, Jordy Nelson and Ryan Switzer.

Coach Jon Gruden called out Bryant for his play, but he bounced back in the opener against the Lions. He has game-breaking speed and can be effective as a deep threat, but the team’s gamble to send a third-round pick for a player entering free agency next offseason is proving to be a risky one.

ROOKIE WATCH

After falling to the fifth round due to a heart condition that was discovered at the combine, Maurice Hurst was on the field in the first preseason game and was impressive. He and fellow rookie P.J. Hallwere disruptive as the starting defensive tackles. They have a chance to be one of the better defensive tackle combinations in the coming years.

PHILADELPHIA

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Hicks returns to action: For the first time since rupturing his Achilles tendon in October, standout LB Jordan Hicks returned to the field. He played only six snaps against the Steelers in the opener, but it was a step in the right direction for a player coming off a significant injury. Hicks is a huge part of the defense as the man in the middle, and had he not gotten hurt, he might very well have made the Pro Bowl. His playing time will be something to monitor as he approaches Week 1. Look for his snap count to increase against the Patriots in the second preseason game.

ROOKIE WATCH

Dallas Goedert, the man the Eagles jumped the Cowboys to draft in April, stood out against the Steelers. He put together a strong four-catch, 66-yard performance with one score against Pittsburgh, continuing what’s been a strong offseason. Zach Ertz is clearly the No. 1 tight end, but Goedert has a chance to carve out a nice role in Philadelphia’s offense.

SAN FRANCISCO

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Injuries mount: The 49ers came out of the preseason opener dealing with a slew of injuries to players expected to make the 53-man roster. Coach Kyle Shanahan said after the win over the Cowboys that TE George Kittle and backup RB Matt Breida would likely sit out the remainder of the preseason with separated shoulders, though neither face structural damage. LB Malcolm Smith has a hamstring injury while DL Solomon Thomas and reserve tackle Garry Gilliam have concussions. Shanahan will likely give Jimmy Garoppolo a longer leash after the quarterback played one series. RB Jerick McKinnon’s three runs went for -4 yards.

ROOKIE WATCH

The 49ers got strong production from seventh-round picks in DL Jullian Taylor and WR Richie James. Taylor registered a sack and two quarterback hits. James had the winning touchdown catch. The Middle Tennessee State product finds himself in the middle of a heated competition.

SEATTLE

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Youth rising: Head coach Pete Carroll is impressed with what he has seen from his young players this summer, and that play continued into the preseason opening game with the Colts. LB Shaquem Griffin, Seattle’s fifth-round draft pick, finished his first NFL outing as the team’s leading tackler (9). DE Rasheem Green (1 1 / 2 sacks) proved youth might not be a roadblock to rebuilding the Seahawks’ pass rush. CB Tre Flowers, a converted college safety-turned-cornerback, showed in the loss he could have what it takes to start. “Everybody is on the same page that we all want to contribute and be the best we can be to take this team forward,” said Flowers, a fifth-round pick from Oklahoma State. “They had a good class last year, and we just want to keep rebuilding and get back to Seahawks football.”

ROOKIE WATCH

TE Will Dissly is making the most of his next-man-up opportunity. With Ed Dickson injured, Dissly will compete with Nick Vannett for snaps.

TAMPA BAY

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Secondary help: The Bucs went into the offseason in need of bolstering their secondary, and they spent premium draft resources on it. In the second round, they got cornerbacks in North Carolina’s M.J. Stewart and Auburn’s Carlton Davis. In the fourth, they landed Pittsburgh safety Jordan Whitehead. All three are making a significant impact. They each tallied at least one pass breakup in the opener against Miami, showing polish, intelligence and versatility. With Vernon Hargreaves expected to miss a few weeks with a groin injury, Stewart and Davis have the chance to jump past him on the depth chart. While 2017 second-round pick Justin Evans has one safety spot locked down, Whitehead could unseat more experienced teammates for the other.

ROOKIE WATCH

WR Justin Watson’s performance had flashes of potential sandwiched around a fumble. Receiver is arguably Tampa Bay’s deepest position group, so Watson must impress to make the cut.

TENNESSEE

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

CB help needed? The Titans’ cornerback group is shaping up to be a strong unit, but the margin for error is rapidly diminishing after the back end of their depth chart was exposed in the opener. The release of Joseph Este and Jarell Carter, along with the signings of Kenneth Durden and Trey Caldwell, indicate uneasiness about the available talent on their 90-man roster. Presumed No. 4 CB LeShaun Sims had a strong opener against the Packers, but nobody else was particularly good. The Titans can afford to go into the season with the top four corners they have but must find additional depth if they’re going to put together a complete roster.

ROOKIE WATCH

WR Deontay Burnett didn’t get a ton of time in the first preseason matchup, but he made the most of what he had. He was targeted three times and caught all three balls for 24 yards. Burnett is on the roster bubble, but he can work his way onto the 53-man roster if he continues to make the most of his snaps.

WASHINGTON

STORYLINE OF THE WEEK

Beyond Guice: The Redskins are still trying to absorb the devastating news of rookie RB Derrius Guice tearing his ACL and being lost for the season. Guice was injured in the preseason opener against the Patriots. Washington was counting on Guice to add an explosive element to the running game and give coach Jay Gruden ’s offense — which has produced three of four 4,000-plus-yard campaigns through the air — even more firepower. Now Samaje Perine, Robert Kelley, Kapri Bibbs, Byron Marshall and maybe rookie Martez Carter will have to battle it out to be paired with Chris Thompson in the backfield. Perine ran for a team best 603 yards last season, but only 3.4 yards per carry. Kelley had three rushing TDs but was at 3.1 YPC.

ROOKIE WATCH

First-round draft pick Daron Payne is back from an ankle injury. The nose tackle from Alabama should help a run defense that allowed an NFL-worst 134.1 rushing yards per game last season.