Two-way star Hunter makes solid Jaguars debut
Two-way Travis makes Jaguars debut
Travis Hunter signalled his intention to play both offence and defence as he made his debut working as a receiver and cornerback for the Jacksonville Jaguars.The second overall pick of this year's NFL Draft admitted he "was a little nervous at first" as he started one of the most high-profile debut seasons in the league.Hunter had two catches for nine yards in his 10 plays as a receiver before switching and playing eight snaps on defence.Jags head coach Liam Coen labelled it a "solid" start and plans to give Hunter more defensive work next week - with the team intent on deploying their talented rookie on both sides of the ball.
Talking point - can Sanders earn starting spot?
Shedeur Sanders made an eye-catching debut for the Cleveland Browns that raised suggestions he has a chance to be the team's starting quarterback this season. It would be quite the turnaround after his high-profile draft slide down to 144th overall - but beyond the hype he still faces an uphill battle, with veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett ahead of him along with another rookie in Dillon Gabriel.Cleveland did not field their starters against the Carolina Panthers and Sanders has not had any practice time with the first team - only getting a start on Friday because of injuries to Pickett and Gabriel.But he made the most of his opportunity and despite head coach Kevin Stefanski insisting he was "in evaluation mode" and "not diving into a quarterback competition", Sanders has given him a selection headache.
Have Chiefs found the man to protect Mahomes?
Patrick Mahomes threw just one pass for one yard in his first outing since being on the losing side in the Super Bowl - but it was for a touchdown in his brief 48-second seasonal debut.So, of more interest was the impressive debut of rookie left tackle Josh Simmons.He is the man the Kansas City Chiefs hope can solve the problem they had all last season - protecting their star quarterback.The Chiefs used four left tackles last year but their issue keeping Mahomes upright ultimately cost them a Super Bowl three-peat as he was sacked six times and manhandled by the Philadelphia Eagles.Simmons showed enough in his first 11 snaps action to suggest he could be the answer to their problems.
Rookie quarterback watch - Dart on target for Giants
Jaxson Dart may just be Russell Wilson's back-up but his exciting debut has excited New York Giants fans singing his praises.He threw for 154 yards and a touchdown and ran for 28 yards in a poised and balanced outing - against some Buffalo Bills starters - that probably just topped Sanders for the best performance by a rookie quarterback.Number one overall pick Cam Ward played just two series for the Tennessee Titans but his second was an 11-play touchdown drive where he showed promising chemistry with top receiver Calvin Ridley.Second-round pick Tyler Shough replaced Spencer Rattler in the second half of the New Orleans Saints' 27-13 defeat by the Los Angeles Chargers and had a 54-yard touchdown pass and a 'pick six' in an up-and-down display.Although not technically a rookie, JJ McCarthy will play his first season with the Minnesota Vikings after a knee injury cost him the entire campaign last year.McCarthy had a tear in his eye before his first game in 364 days, where he led one solid 13-play drive in what could be his only action before the NFL season opener.
A comedy of errors for the Cowboys
A messy first Dallas Cowboys game for new head coach Brian Schottenheimer culminated with even Pro Bowl wide receiver CeeDee Lamb getting a flag - despite not even being on the field.Lamb was on the sidelines for the defeat against the Los Angeles Rams but strayed almost onto the field and was hit by an official racing down the touchline.That led to Lamb not only taking a big hit but also Dallas getting one of 11 flags in the game, which cost them 83 yards and angered the new man in charge."I hope the guy's OK. But we have to be better than that," Schottenheimer said. "CeeDee knows better. We know better."Dallas, who has star defender Micah Parsons watching on despite requesting a trade away from the team, will hope that comedy of errors is not a sign of things to come this season.
NFL pre-season - week one results
Indianapolis Colts 16-24 Baltimore RavensCincinnati Bengals 27-34 Philadelphia EaglesLas Vegas Raiders 23-23 Seattle SeahawksDetroit Lions 17-10 Atlanta FalconsCleveland Browns 30-10 Carolina PanthersWashington Commanders 18-48 New England PatriotsNew York Giants 34-25 Buffalo BillsHouston Texans 10-20 Minnesota VikingsDallas Cowboys 21-31 Los Angeles RamsPittsburgh Steelers 31-25 Jacksonville JaguarsTennessee Titans 7-29 Tampa Bay BuccaneersNew York Jets 30-10 Green Bay PackersKansas City Chiefs 17-20 Arizona CardinalsDenver Broncos 30-9 San Francisco 49ersMiami Dolphins 24-24 Chicago BearsNew Orleans Saints 13-27 Los Angeles Chargers
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
2 minutes ago
- The Independent
Everton strike deal with Man City to sign Jack Grealish
Everton have agreed a deal with Manchester City to take Jack Grealish on loan for the season. The £100m man is set to become David Moyes ' sixth summer signing as he leaves the Etihad Stadium in search of first-team football. Grealish was omitted from City's squad for the Club World Cup as Pep Guardiola signalled that he had no place in his plans, prompting interest from the Toffees and other clubs this summer. City's club-record signing, a regular in their treble-winning season of 2022-23, has only started one league game in 2025 and just 17 in the last two seasons. But Moyes has turned to Grealish in his attempt to add more creative players to his Everton squad. Grealish is desperate to play more if he is to get into the England squad for next summer's World Cup. While there is also the added attraction of Everton entering a new era in the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and the Friedkin ownership's willingness to spend after the recent takeover. The former Aston Villa star was seen with Man City supporters earlier this summer at an Oasis concert in Heaton Park, Manchester, pledging his affection to the fanbase. 'I love City more than anything,' Grealish said. 'And do you know what I love more than anything? City fans! They're the best fans in the world!' Moyes has already signed striker Thierno Barry, goalkeeper Mark Travers, left-back Adam Aznou and attacking midfielders Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Charly Alcaraz this summer, but Everton are also looking for a right winger.
BBC News
2 minutes ago
- BBC News
Gossip: Rams back in for Johnston
Derby are preparing a third offer for Scotland international right-back Max Johnston, with Panathinaikos also monitoring the 21-year-old who plays for Austrian club Sturm Graz. (Sky Sports, external)Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip column here.
BBC News
2 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Potter has a mountain to climb' or 'the vibe in the camp seems good'?
We asked for your views on whether West Ham are ready for the new season as they prepare to kick off at Sunderland on are some of your comments:Michael: We still need two more better midfielders. But we could do with offloading a couple, perhaps three, of the current midfield that aren't good enough, like Cornet, Rodriguez and Ward-Prowse. None of them offer us anything in the modern game. Need pace and ability to run with the The most positive thing I have seen in the pre-season games is the attitude. Unlike last season, they all seem happy. If they're happy with each other then they will want to work for each No, we're nowhere near ready. Graham Potter has a mountain to climb and to achieve survival we need to totally revamp our midfield. They are way too pedestrian, have no real ball-player and lack goals everywhere. We need to trust our youth players, particularly Potts, Scales and Pearson, who all look like they would belong in the Premier League. That will add energy and pace. If we don't do something then we're in for another woefully poor Ever the optimist, I think they are, despite not making a huge splash in the transfer market. The vibe in the camp feels good and I'm expecting a 'Paquetenaissance' now he's free from scandal. Some of last year's 'busts' may yet be vindicated in Guilherme, Summerville, and Fullkrug (who by the way seems like quite the leader).Luke: As much as I want to be optimistic, I can't shake the feeling that West Ham just aren't quite ready for the season ahead. The glaring hole in midfield, with no significant signing to plug it, leaves us worryingly light in the engine room. Potter's preference for slow, patient build-up play has its merits, but too often risks leaving us looking toothless in the final third. There are positives, though - the big question mark over Paqueta's future seems to be leaning our way for now, the defence looks more organised than it has in years, and the emergence of Freddie Potts and Malick Diouf brings a real spark of excitement. Still, with the current squad and style, my head says we're more likely to finish somewhere between 12th and 16th, even if my heart hopes All summer we have been calling out for a midfield powerhouse, but seemed to get everything but that. Rodriguez and Alvarez are players of the past and should no longer be featuring in games. And still, many years have passed, but a young striker has not been signed, to my dismay.
