Overview
- Teams largely sat regular starters in Week 3 on Friday, Aug. 28, prioritizing player health and using game reps to evaluate backups and fringe roster candidates.
- Several clear outcomes emerged as backups and reserves made the headlines, including the Baltimore Ravens’ 41-3 win over Washington and the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 19-0 victory over Tampa Bay.
- Undrafted rookies and depth players boosted their stock with big plays, notably Bryan Thomas Jr.’s 2.5 sacks and Michael Wortham’s 63-yard punt-return touchdown for Jacksonville.
- Fan access mixed national and local coverage with many games on NFL Network, regional broadcasts and team in‑market streams such as the Panthers’ free in‑market stream on Panthers.com and the Panthers app.
- Coaches will fold these final-game evaluations into decisions on 53-man rosters and practice squads on Aug. 30, a choice that will directly affect players’ jobs and where teams carry depth into Week 1.