The final week of the NFL preseason rolls on, and teams are taking dramatically different approaches with their starters in Week 3. Some are sitting their first units after extensive joint-practice work, while others are planning one final dose of game action before the regular season.
We're tracking the latest NFL preseason lineup updates and most important game-time decisions throughout the weekend to assist with your NFL preseason picks for Week 3.
Latest NFL preseason Week 3 lineup updates
Updated at 11 a.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 29.
- Daniel Jones, Jonathan Taylor out for Colts, Lions' top guys likely resting: Most of Indy's No. 1 guys will see some run today, with Jones and Taylor getting the "star" treatment and the night off. Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, etc. are doubtful to play.
- Titans starters will play, mum's the word on Bears' No. 1s: Barring a change of heart by Robert Salah, Cam Ward & Co. will see the field for about 30 plays. Meanwhile, Ben Johnson remains cagey as to the availability of Caleb Williams and other starters.
Who will play in NFL preseason Week 3?
Here are the latest updates on the top players entering Week 3 of the NFL preseason. For more information on every game, scroll down to our full matchup breakdowns.
| Game | Player(s) / unit | Status | Latest update |
|---|---|---|---|
 WAS at  BAL |
Lamar Jackson |
Out | Jackson got his final opponent work in Wednesday's joint practice and will sit Friday night. |
 HOU at  CAR |
Starters |
Out | DeMeco Ryans said Houston's starters are done for the preseason after Wednesday's joint practice. |
| HOU at CAR |
Starters |
Out | Canales said the first units took roughly 75% of the joint-practice reps and will sit Friday. |
 ATL at  MIA |
Tua Tagovailoa |
Playing | Tagovailoa will start against his former team as Atlanta gives its starters varying amounts of work. |
| ATL at MIA |
Michael Penix Jr. |
Out | Penix is back in 11-on-11 work, but Atlanta won't rush him into game action after only a few full practices. |
 TB at  JAX |
Starters/key regulars |
Expected out | Tampa Bay expects to rest its established players, leaving the finale largely to players fighting for roster spots. |
| TB at JAX |
Starters |
Expected out | Jacksonville's starters are not expected to play after the first units got their work in joint practices. |
 NYG at  NYJ |
Jaxson Dart |
TBD | Harbaugh has not committed to playing Dart in the finale. |
 NO at  DAL |
Most starters |
Out | Moore said his starters got enough work from 145 joint-practice snaps and will sit Friday. |
 SEA at  KC |
Patrick Mahomes |
Out | Mahomes will rest with Garrett Nussmeier set to start and some other offensive starters potentially seeing brief action. |
 CIN at  PHI |
Starters |
Out | Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Cincinnati's other starters will rest the finale. Chase is also coming off a minor knee hyperextension that could affect his status for Week 1. |
 ARI at  GB |
Carson Beck |
TBD | Beck is still working through rib discomfort, and Mike LaFleur has left his availability for Friday undecided. |
| ARI at GB |
Most starters |
Out | Most Green Bay starters will sit after getting their final competitive work this week. |
 MIN at  DEN |
Kyler Murray |
Out | Kevin O'Connell plans to rest Minnesota's starters, including Murray, while the backup QB rotation remains unsettled. |
| MIN at DEN |
Bo Nix |
Expected out | Payton said Nix “probably won't play”, although Denver has not finalized every role for Friday. |
 DET at  IND |
Most starters |
Playing | Shane Steichen plans to give most starters eight to 12 snaps before turning the game over to the reserves. |
| DET at IND |
Daniel Jones, Jonathan Taylor |
Out | Jones and Taylor are the two notable exceptions to Indianapolis' starter plan and will sit Saturday. |
| DET at IND |
Jared Goff |
Out | Goff has not played a preseason game since 2022, and that will not change here. |
 CHI at  TEN |
Starters |
Expected to play | Saleh's published plan calls for 30-plus starter snaps; Tennessee has not announced a post-joint-practice change. |
Saturday, Aug. 29
Lions vs. Colts lineup updates (1 p.m. ET)
Lions: Detroit has not announced a defined starter workload for Saturday, so the first-unit plan remains TBD. Jared Goff is the only big name confirmed to be out.
Colts: Indianapolis plans to play most starters for roughly eight to 12 snaps. Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor will sit, while Anthony Richardson Sr. will start and play the first quarter before Riley Leonard takes over in the second.
Bears vs. Titans lineup updates (6 p.m. ET)
Bears: Chicago has not announced its final starter plan. For what it's worth, Caleb Williams and the first unit played in Game 3 in 2025.
Titans: Saleh's published preseason progression called for Tennessee's starters to play more than 30 snaps Saturday. The Titans have not announced a post-joint-practice change, so that remains the working plan rather than a fresh reconfirmation.
