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NFL Preseason Week 2 Begins With Two Primetime Games and Expanded National Coverage

The Aug. 20–23 slate increases national windows and streaming access so teams can evaluate rookies and backups before final roster cuts.

Overview

  • Week 2 runs Thursday through Sunday with a 16-game slate that opens Thursday night with Raiders at Texans (8 p.m. ET on ESPN) and 49ers at Chargers (10 p.m. ET on NFL Network).
  • Broadcasters assigned eight nationally televised games across ESPN, NFL Network and FOX while most other matchups air only in the participating teams’ local markets.
  • NFL+ Premium will stream every preseason game and additional national streams are available via the ESPN app/Unlimited and services such as fubo for cord cutters.
  • Las Vegas rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza is expected to receive extended reps in Thursday’s game after a strong Week 1 debut as coaches use Week 2 to evaluate players who could make regular‑season rosters.
  • The preseason is a compressed three‑week slate with most teams playing three exhibitions and the Panthers and Cardinals playing four because of the Hall of Fame Game; Week 2 closes with a national FOX window as Seattle visits Tennessee on Sunday night.