Analysis
8/10/23
6 min read
NFL Preseason 2023: Which Teams Plan to Play Starters in Week 1?
Ahead of Thursday's start to the preseason, here's what we know about which teams plan to play or rest their starters.
All listed game times are EST.
Starters Playing in Preseason Week 1
Houston Texans at New England Patriots
Houston Texans
DeMeco Ryans announced that No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud will get the start and Davis Mills will come in after. Stroud and Mills are in a quarterback competition, and they’ve split first-team reps through most of training camp.
New England Patriots
Bill Belichick chose not to reveal who the team’s starting quarterback would be, but he did tell reporters the “least experienced” players would receive the most playing time. Mac Jones did not play in New England's preseason opener last year, and the expectation is Bailey Zappe will start.
Date/Time: Aug. 10, 7 p.m.
Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks
Minnesota Vikings
Most of the Vikings' starters will not play. Quarterbacks Nick Mullens and rookie Jaren Hall are each expected to play roughly a half each.
Seattle Seahawks
On Wednesday, Pete Carroll dodged questions when asked if his key starters will see action, but history tells us they likely won’t be on the field. Carroll did say No. 5 overall pick cornerback Devon Witherspoon reaggravated his hamstring injury and will be unavailable.
Date/Time: Aug. 10, 10 p.m.
New York Giants at Detroit Lions
New York Giants
The Giants are unlikely to feature many starters in this game. The expectation is that Tyrod Taylor will start at quarterback, but nothing definitive has been announced.
Detroit Lions
The Lions are expected to hold out most of their starters, including quarterback Jared Goff and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Date/Time: Aug. 11, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers expect every healthy member of their roster to suit up for the game, including quarterback Kenny Pickett.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The plan is for Baker Mayfield to start this game and then for Kyle Trask to come in. Then, the reverse will happen in their second preseason game against the New York Jets.
Date/Time: Aug. 11, 7 p.m.
Green Bay Packers at Cincinnati Bengals
Green Bay Packers
Matt LaFleur said he is leaning toward playing his starters, including quarterback Jordan Love.
Cincinnati Bengals
Zac Taylor said a “high number of starters won’t play” in this game. Quarterbacks Trevor Siemian and Jake Browning will split reps.
Date/Time: Aug. 11, 7 p.m.
Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins
Atlanta Falcons
Arthur Smith said he will play his first-team guys in the preseason, including quarterback Desmond Ridder. Smith declined to say how long they’ll be in the game.
Miami Dolphins
Mike McDaniel said he’s not decided if Tua Tagovailoa and the rest of the starters will play.
Date/Time: Aug. 11, 7 p.m.
Washington Commanders at Cleveland Browns
Washington Commanders
Sam Howell will start at quarterback for the Commanders, followed by Jacoby Brissett.
Cleveland Browns
Most of their starters will play in this game, including QB Deshaun Watson.
Date/Time: Aug. 11, 7:30 p.m.
Denver Broncos at Arizona Cardinals
Denver Broncos
Russell Wilson will get the start for Denver in his first game with head coach Sean Payton. Payton said he expects his starters to be on the field for about 15-18 snaps.
Arizona Cardinals
Jonathan Gannon said Colt McCoy will start, but he declined to say who will come in after and how they’ll split the quarterback reps. Arizona used a fifth-round pick on Houston quarterback Clayton Tune in April’s draft.
Date/Time: Aug. 11, 10 p.m.
Tennessee Titans at Chicago Bears
Tennessee Titans
Mike Vrabel said the Titans have made a decision on who will start the game, but he wants to keep that decision private. Tennessee has one of the more interesting quarterback situations with incumbent Ryan Tannehill, second-round rookie Will Levis and former third-round pick Malik Willis.
Chicago Bears
Matt Eberflus said Chicago will play “select” starters, including QB Justin Fields. Eberflus expects those players to see about 10-15 snaps.
Date/Time: Aug. 12, 1 p.m.
Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills
Indianapolis Colts
Shane Steichen said No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson will start at quarterback alongside the rest of the Colts’ healthy starters. They are expected to play for approximately one quarter. After that, Gardner Minshew will take over from Richardson.
Buffalo Bills
Sean McDermott said “most of the starters will play,” but quarterback Josh Allen and wide receiver Stefon Diggs will not.
Date/Time: Aug. 12, 1 p.m.
New York Jets at Carolina Panthers
New York Jets
The Jets likely will start Zach Wilson again, as they did in the Hall of Fame game.
Carolina Panthers
No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young has already been named the Week 1 starter. He will get the start in this preseason game, along with the rest of the key starters. However, RB Miles Sanders tweaked his groin in practice this week and likely will not play. Former third-round pick Matt Corral is expected to take plenty of snaps in this game, as well.
Date/Time: Aug. 12, 4 p.m.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Dallas Cowboys
Jacksonville Jaguars
Doug Pederson told reporters that he believes in playing starters in the preseason and that the plan is to let them be out there for a series or two. WR Calvin Ridley, returning from a one-year suspension, is expected to be on the field.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys will not play QB Dak Prescott or any of their key starters.
Date/Time: Aug. 12, 5 p.m.
Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens
Philadelphia Eagles
Nick Sirianni declined to answer if any of his top players will take the field Saturday. The Eagles played their starters in their first preseason game last year.
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore will enter the game with an NFL-record 23-game preseason win streak. John Harbaugh said none of their established starters are going to play. Tyler Huntley is likely to start at quarterback.
Date/Time: Aug. 12, 7 p.m.
Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have never played key starters in the preseason under coach Brandon Staley.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have never played key starters in the preseason under coach Sean McVay.
Date/Time: Aug. 12, 9 p.m.
Kansas City Chiefs at New Orleans Saints
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs have historically played their starters in the preseason opener, and that includes Patrick Mahomes. No official announcement has been made.
New Orleans Saints
The plan is for Derek Carr and the rest of the Saints' starters to play about 15 snaps, with the second-stringers getting roughly 25 snaps and the third-stringers finishing out the game, Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com reported.
Date/Time: Aug. 13, 1 p.m.
San Francisco 49ers at Las Vegas Raiders
San Francisco 49ers
Kyle Shanahan said none of their established starters are going to play. The expectation is there will be a heavy dose of Trey Lance, Sam Darnold and Brandon Allen at quarterback, but an official order has not been announced.
Las Vegas Raiders
No announcement yet.
Date/Time: Aug. 13, 4 p.m.
