Preseason 2023 NFL Week 2: Biggest Takeaways from Saturday's Games
The most important aspect of preseason can be individuals stacking games and showing improvement with each passing week.
The energy between the first and second week of exhibition play can greatly differ, depending on each individual squad's approach. Some continue to sit the majority of their starters. Others get their top guys on the field and allow them to play beyond one or two series.
Those who find the field are given the opportunity to build upon the previous week's work and show they're capable of filling a specific role or simply making a roster.
For example, the Houston Texans should feel better about the eventual naming of C.J. Stroud as their starting quarterback based on what they saw against the Miami Dolphins instead of relying on the rookie's underwhelming debut.
Stroud's performance is simply one noteworthy instance among a slate of 11 preseason contests. The following takeaways emerged as the biggest storylines from Saturday's action.
Uncertainty Remains at LT for Jacksonville Jaguars
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As the Jacksonville Jaguars work their way through the preseason, the organization and its coaching staff does so knowing that starting left tackle Cam Robinson won't be available at the beginning of the regular season thanks to a four-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy.
During that period, Robinson won't practice with the team. So, the Jaguars are using the preseason to get their left tackle as many quality reps as possible.
The 27-year-old Robinson hasn't performed particularly well, while the majority of Jacksonville's starters watched from the sideline. During Saturday's contest against the Detroit Lions, officials called Robinson for holding and the Lions' Romeo Okwara gave Robinson everything the veteran blocker could handle during the exhibition contest.
Keep in mind, Detroit's starting defensive ends—Aidan Hutchinson and Charles Harris—didn't play. The Jaguars could find themselves in a conundrum after signing Robinson to a three-year, $54 million contract extension last offseason.
Walker Little has been playing left guard next to Robinson. However, a struggling incumbent can create opportunities.
"He's been a guy that you say, okay, he can play tackle, he can play guard, we can move him around a little bit. Obviously, we feel like his best position is tackle," head coach Doug Pederson told reporters when asked about Little. "But again, I think the versatility that he has shown us is very valuable."
Considering where Robinson currently stands and Little getting a four-game tryout as Trevor Lawrence's personal bodyguard, the Jaguars may find themselves in a position where a permanent change may be necessary.
As of now, nothing is truly settled along the left side of Jacksonville's offensive line.
C.J. Stroud Improves after Rocky Debut with Houston Texans
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Everyone can calm down. Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud isn't a bust after an underwhelming rookie debut.
This year's second overall draft pick wasn't perfect Saturday against the Miami Dolphins. But Stroud definitely showed signs of the natural throwing ability he was known for throughout the last NFL draft cycle.
Stroud's first appearance was about as noteworthy as Thanos randomly showing up as an Iron Man villain and being easily dispatched, while turning out to be a robot. Even the rookie quarterback acknowledged he needed to be less robotic after completing two-of-four passes, with a bad interception.
"Just trust my eyes," Stroud told reporters when asked about the turnover. "I seen a certain look to where I knew in film, that they could run that to where the safety, if his man blocks, he'll come off and really be locked into my eyes. I just lost track of that and just forced it. Should have just checked it down to Dalton [Schultz]."
On Saturday, the rookie signal-caller played the entire first half and connected on seven of 12 pass attempts. At one point, Stroud completed five straight passes and ripped a few throws.
Granted, the Texans offense started slowly despite being gifted a red-zone possession thanks to a Denzel Perryman interception. Stroud failed to get the first play off on time, then wasn't on the same page with tight end Dalton Schultz during the team's fourth-down attempt. Without the slow start, the rookie would have completed 70 percent of his passes, which could have been even better had Noah Brown caught a low pass from Stroud while the quarterback rolled to his left.
Basically, overreaction isn't necessary. The Texans offense still needs work. Clearly, the unit isn't entirely on the same page. But these missteps should be expected with a rookie behind center.
It's only a matter of time before Stroud is officially named the Texans' starter. His progression from week to week will define the 2023 season. Between the first and second preseason game, tangible improvement became evident.
Is a RB Controversy Brewing in Pittsburgh between Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren?
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The Pittsburgh Steelers are nearly to the point where they're experiencing a full-blown running back controversy.
OK, a running back "controversy" isn't really a thing. That term is often reserved for quarterbacks. Furthermore, multiple running backs can contribute to an offense. Yet, the Steelers clearly have something in perceived backup Jaylen Warren.
Obviously, the organization is invested in Najee Harris. Pittsburgh drafted its incumbent lead back with a first-round pick in the 2021 class. However, the situation invokes a specific scene from the cult football film, "The Program."
"Darnell Jefferson, tailback."
"Ray Griffen, starting tailback."
"I know, that's why they recruited me."
In the movie, Omar Epps' character brought a completely different dynamic to the ESU Timberwolves' backfield. The same can be said of the real-life situation in Pittsburgh, with Warren serving as a sparkplug.
To be fair, Harris has been productive. He ran for more than 1,000 yards in his first two seasons. But he lacks the suddenness and explosivity to create chunk plays. In fact, Harris produced only seven runs of 20 or more yards through two seasons and nothing over 37 yards.
Warren popped a 62-yard touchdown run during his very first touch Saturday against the Buffalo Bills' starting defense.
But Warren came into the league last year as an undrafted free agent. The investment isn't the same. It shouldn't matter. The Steelers can feature both backs, though Warren should get strong consideration for the starting role, because he actually threatens opposing defenses beyond the first and second levels.
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Josh Downs Makes Case to Be Indianapolis Colts' Primary Slot Receiver
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Once upon a time, the Indianapolis Colts paired a newly minted first-round quarterback, Andrew Luck, with a third-round separation machine in T.Y. Hilton. History could be repeating itself.
The Colts drafted a quarterback in the first round this year for the first time since Luck joined the franchise. Anthony Richardson is the big swing the franchise patiently waited to take and used this year's fourth overall pick to acquire the gifted athlete.
Richardson has already been named the Colts' starting quarterback. He'll be joined in the offense by third-round classmate Josh Downs, who looks tailor-made for Indianapolis' long-term solution at slot receiver.
The Colts understand how important the relationship between the two can be. Richardson and Downs have been roommates since being drafted. But the wide receiver has a little more resistance in the form of veteran Isaiah McKenzie, who signed a one-year, free-agent deal this offseason.
Saturday's performance from Downs showed a talented young receiving threat, with a knack for finding the soft spot in zones. He's perfect to play among the trees found outside the numbers in Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce, as well as tight ends Jelani Woods and Mo Alie-Cox.
Downs caught a pair of passes for 20 yards and consistently separated on his routes. He did so with Gardner Minshew leading the way.
As opportunities increase, the two-time All-ACC performer will likely surpass McKenzie and build an even stronger rapport with Richardson.
"He trusts me now, and I always tell him he can trust me," Downs told reporters. "Even after he calls the play, I slip a little, 'Hey bro, look for me (laughing).'"
Kyle Trask Does His Best to Keep Bucs' QB Competition Ongoing
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The fans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and even those involved may be eager for the team to name a starting quarterback, but head coach Todd Bowles isn't any rush.
"When it's time, we'll make it," Bowles said Friday of the decision, per the Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud. "I don't have a set time to make it. I'm comfortable where we're at on both sides. We'll make it and discuss it. See how the game goes and we'll see what the last game looks like."
Saturday's performance didn't exactly clarify the situation, because Kyle Trask got the start against the New York Jets and performed well enough to earn at least another week of competition.
To be clear, Baker Mayfield has been the favorite to win the job throughout the process. He probably still is. But Trask deserves credit for going out, completing 69.6 percent of his passes and throwing for a touchdown while playing the entire first half of the second preseason contest.
A player deserves an opportunity to prove himself in a competition. At the same time, the lack of a decision this late into the process does hinder the team to a degree. It's beneficial for the individual who wins the job to take the majority of reps, especially if that person is new to the team and system.
"It definitely does (help)," Mayfield said. "Now when it comes down to it, skills guys and your best players don't really play in the preseason anymore. For quarterbacks, you have to go through your process no matter who is in there. Making sure you're doing the right things, the right checks. Overcommunicating, too. It helps to have those game situations where you're mentally back in it. It's always different when you go to Week 1."
Bowles may be forced to make a decision sooner rather than later.
Brock Purdy Returns to 49ers Lineup After Recovery from Elbow Injury
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The San Francisco 49ers waited nearly seven months to see their franchise quarterback return to the lineup. Brock Purdy played one series Saturday against the Denver Broncos.
Purdy playing at all before the 2023 regular season begins is amazing. The 2022 Mr. Irrelevant suffered a torn UCL in his throwing elbow during this year's NFC Championship Game. As of this week, no more limitations are placed on his participation.
"In terms of my arm and everything, yeah, my arm feels great," Purdy told reporters. "Just still building back-to-back days and trying to gain all the strength that I can back from the rehab process of things and I feel really confident."
No restrictions on the starting signal-caller will finally allow the Niners to create some offensive continuity and worry more about what they can achieve instead of wondering who could lead the offense.
Purdy taking the reins and being the guy is an amazing story unto itself. The 49ers have two top five draft picks at the same position. In Trey Lance, San Francisco spent significant assets to trade up and acquire his services. Yet, the seventh-round pick took full advantage of the opportunities afforded by injuries last year and showed he can thrive in Kyle Shanahan's offensive system.
The second-year quarterback didn't need to do anything special Saturday. He simply needed to lead the offense and not get hurt. He did both by completing four of five passes then calling it a night.
With quarterback finally settled, expectations for San Francisco's season should skyrocket.
Green Bay Packers' Offensive Line Still Not Settled
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Saturday's Green Bay Packers lineup featured a starting offensive line of (from left to right) Rasheed Walker, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jon Runyan Jr. and Zach Tom. The group could be one of the league's best, especially with a healthy David Bakhtiari in the lineup. One bad snap speaks to potentially larger issues.
Myers has been the focal point, because the incumbent snapper has had issues with the exchange during training camp and hasn't performed to the level of an established starter.
A miscommunication between the center and quarterback resulted in a bad snap and lost fumble during the first quarter Saturday against the New England Patriots.
In a vacuum, one mistake doesn't mean much. However, the Packers already gave Tom first-team reps at center during training camp. Runyan also received reps over the ball. Clearly, Green Bay's coaching staff is doing more than cross-training their linemen. A competition is quietly underway if Myers continues to make mistakes.
"Josh has done a really good job, but we need more consistency," head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters two weeks ago. "We have complete confidence that he is fully capable of doing that, and we've seen that from him."
A lack of consistency at center and murmurs of Aaron Rodgers wanting Bakhtiari in New York with the Jets creates uncertainty, though Packers general manager Brian Gutenkunst outright stated the latter will not happen.
Kansas City Chiefs WR Justyn Ross Continues to Impress During Comeback
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Justyn Ross always displayed the talent to be an impact player at the professional level. But availability is always player's best ability.
Unfortunately, significant injuries slowed Ross' path to the NFL. The wide receiver seems to have finally reached the other side, with a chance to display his exceptional natural talent.
Going into the 2020 campaign, the 6'4", 205-pound target looked like a future first-round lock. Instead, Ross required surgery to correct a congenital fusion condition of his neck and spine. He missed all of the season. Upon Ross' return, he didn't produce nearly as much with Clemson's post-Trevor Lawrence issues at quarterback.
Pre-draft medical evaluations weren't kind, either, because Ross went undrafted among the '22 class. He still seemed to land in the perfect situation when he signed a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Misfortune struck again. The rookie missed his entire first season after requiring foot surgery.
"[2022] was a redshirt year that he probably didn't want to have right with the injury. But he's done a nice job," head coach Andy Reid told reporters earlier this month. "He had a good off-season. And then he's worked his tail off here. And he just needs to keep doing that. You know, it's how you answer the bell every day and push through it. So, he's got the right mindset to do that."
In his first NFL preseason contest, Ross snagged two passes for 29 yards and a touchdown. He continued his progression in Week 2, caught a couple passes and showed how a big target can create separation.
The Chiefs are looking for a new WR1, with JuJu Smith-Schuster leaving this past offseason. Skyy Moore, Kadarius Toney and Marquez Valdes-Scantling have the inside track toward being Kansas City's top three options. However, Ross' standout skill set should dictate a roster spot. With the right usage, he may even find himself in the NFL Comeback Player of the Year conversation.
Malik Willis Takes Control of Tennessee Titans' Backup QB Job
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Malik Willis played the entirety of the Tennessee Titans' second preseason contest against the Minnesota Vikings. The game turned out to be a showcase for the team's backup QB gig.
Prior to Saturday's action, Willis already impressed in Year 2 of his development and held an edge over the rookie to serve as Ryan Tannehill's potential replacement.
"It's the way he walks in the building kind of bopping around," head coach Mike Vrabel said of Willis, per ESPN's Turron Davenport. "He's there, he's engaged. You hear him, you see him."
Yet the idea of Levis not eventually securing the job seemed unlikely after new general manager Ran Carthon traded up in this year's second round to select the Kentucky product.
But Levis suffered a lower-body injury Thursday in a joint practice with the Vikings, according to Paul Kuharsky. While the exact nature of the injury has yet to be revealed, the Titans chose not to play Levis Saturday. As a result, Willis played all four quarters, threw for 85 yards and ran for 91 more.
The combination of Willis' improvement during practice, the extra reps he received as of late and the undetermined length of the rookie's absence indicates the Titans' quarterback depth chart is set for the start of the regular season.
Aidan O'Connell Continues to Impress as Las Vegas Raiders' Potential QB2
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Everyone falls in love with backup quarterbacks during the preseason. Flashes against second- and third-string defenders create daydreams of bigger and better things. In the case of the Las Vegas Raiders, Aidan O'Connell's impressive outings could be vital to the team's success this season.
O'Connell's performance in Week 1 created a groundswell of support for the fourth-round draft pick. The rookie did show command of the offense and threw the ball extremely well. He completed 15 of 18 passes in his first professional appearance. Then again, his ability to work from the pocket has never been in question.
Pre-draft slights against O'Connell revolved around his movement skills in a world where being able to work off-platform and create outside of structure is more important than ever. But Raiders head coach/offensive play-caller Josh McDaniels built his reputation working with some guy named Tom Brady, who didn't exactly move exceptionally well.
The rookie entered Saturday's contest against the Los Angeles Rams and strung together a second-straight standout performance, including two touchdown tosses.
Again, overreactions to preseason performances create unrealistic expectations. Yet the person to officially take over as the Raiders' QB2 could end up being a vital part of how the team progresses.
Jimmy Garoppolo played a full regular-season slate exactly once in his 10 seasons. He didn't finish two of the last three campaigns because of injury. Odds tell everyone that the Raiders' starter is going to get dinged at some point.
O'Connell playing well isn't simply a good story. His emergence gives the Raiders hope if they need another starting quarterback option, because Brian Hoyer isn't the solution since the 37-year-old started all of three games over the last five seasons.
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba Creates Problems for Seattle Seahawks' Opponents
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The Seattle Seahawks already featured one of the NFL's top wide receiver duos in Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf. During this year's draft, the organization chose to turn the duo into an outstanding trio with the first-round selection Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The skill set of this year's 20th overall draft pick became immediately evident.
"Oh, man, he's really, really natural," Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll told reporters in June. "He's really a natural athlete, gifted in his timing, in and out of breaks and things and his feel. He also has, which we saw this in the workout at school, he's got great change of direction in him, and he's got this marvelous ability to get in out of his turns."
Natural ability doesn't always translate, though. In Smith-Njigba's case, he showed continued improvement throughout training camp to earn the respect of his quarterback, Geno Smith.
"We've got option routes where he's making quick decisions. He's seeing the same things we're seeing as quarterbacks," Smith said Wednesday. "He's in the right spots. "Then, after that, he's just being himself."
The final step is having everything translate to the field against legitimate competition. In the rookie's first taste of professional action, Smith-Njigba snagged three passes for 25 yards. He caught three balls Saturday for 58 yards, including a 48-yard explosive play, against the Dallas Cowboys.
According to ESPN's Brady Henderson, the performance isn't anything new for those who have regularly attended practice. Smith-Njigba has been "constantly open" and "always looks in control."
The Seahawks' wide receiver corps officially reached the point where opposing defensive coordinators must pick their poison and every choice is the wrong one.
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