Who’s Starting, Who’s Sitting for Preseason Week 3?
by Brady Trettenero in NFL Football
Updated Aug 21, 2024 · 11:09 AM PDT
Aug 10, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent (17) warms up prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY SportsWhich NFL players are taking the field in the final week of preseason action?Among the starting players is Chicago Bears projected backup QB Tyson BagentRead below for a full list of starting/ resting players in NFL preseason Week 3
The third and final week of the 2024 NFL preseason is set to kick off, with all 32 teams taking the field. While many starters will likely see limited action to avoid injuries, there are still several notable players to keep an eye on.
In this article, we will track which key players are playing and which ones are sitting in NFL Preseason Week 3.
Who is Playing in Preseason Week 3?
| Team | Notable Starters Playing | Notable Players Resting/Sitting Out |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | QB Tyson Bagent | QB Caleb Williams, most starters |
| Kansas City Chiefs | QB Chris Oladokun, RB Deneric Prince | QB Patrick Mahomes, TE Travis Kelce, most starters |
| Indianapolis Colts | – | – |
| Cincinnati Bengals | – | – |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | – | – |
| Atlanta Falcons | – | WR Rondale Moore |
| Miami Dolphins | – | – |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | – | – |
| San Francisco 49ers | – | RB Christian McCaffrey |
| Las Vegas Raiders | – | – |
| Carolina Panthers | – | LB Azeez Al-Shaair |
| Buffalo Bills | – | LB Matt Milano, WR Curtis Samuel, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, most starters[ |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | – | RB Jaylen Warren, C Nate Herbig |
| Detroit Lions | – | – |
| Baltimore Ravens | – | – |
| Green Bay Packers | – | – |
| Los Angeles Rams | – | – |
| Houston Texans | – | – |
| Minnesota Vikings | – | QB J.J. McCarthy |
| Philadelphia Eagles | – | – |
| Los Angeles Chargers | – | – |
| Dallas Cowboys | – | – |
| New York Giants | – | – |
| New York Jets | – | – |
| Cleveland Browns | – | – |
| Seattle Seahawks | – | – |
| Tennessee Titans | – | WR Treylon Burks |
| New Orleans Saints | – | – |
| Arizona Cardinals | – | – |
| Denver Broncos | – | – |
| New England Patriots | QB Bailey Zappe, QB Jacoby Brissett | QB Drake Maye (expected to play only a couple drives) |
| Washington Commanders | QB Jeff Driskel, QB Trace McSorley | QB Jayden Daniels (not expected to play much) |
This table will be updated as more teams announce their starting lineups for the final week of NFL preseason.
The NFL odds for preseason Week 3 show Jacksonville as the largest favorite at -7 in their matchup with the Falcons.
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Notable Players Suiting Up in NFL Preseason Week 3
Most NFL teams will be resting starters in preseason Week 3 to avoid potential injuries. While we don’t expect to see many superstars, there are still some notable names to keep an eye on.
Rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent is expected to see significant playing time for the Chicago Bears against the Kansas City Chiefs. Bagent, who went undrafted in 2023, impressed last season when he started four games in place of an injured Justin Fields, completing 65.7% of his passes.
That's a DIME from Bagent 😯
📺: #CINvsCHI on @NFLNetwork📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/MH9PRbtnSz
— NFL (@NFL) August 17, 2024
This preseason, Bagent has continued to showcase his skills, completing 7 of 8 passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns in Week 2 against the Bengals. With Caleb Williams sitting out, Bagent has another chance to prove he deserves the backup role in Chicago.
Another player to watch is Chiefs running back Deneric Prince. Prince, who went undrafted in 2023, has displayed his big-play potential this preseason, breaking a 41-yard run in Week 2. He finished last year’s preseason with 12 carries for 45 yards and is fighting for a spot on Kansas City’s 53-man roster.
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Key Players Resting in NFL Preseason Week 3
Many teams are opting to rest their starters in the final week of the preseason to prevent any unnecessary injuries.
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus announced that quarterback Caleb Williams, the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, will not play against the Chiefs on Thursday. The majority of Chicago’s starters will also be sitting out.
#Bears HC Matt Eberflus said QB Caleb Williams and the majority of other starters will not play in their preseason finale Thursday night vs. the Chiefs.
Caleb's next game will be for real… Week 1 at Solider Field vs. the Titans. pic.twitter.com/4cZHVnYaR5
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 20, 2024
Similarly, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that Kansas City will not play their starters, including star quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce. This decision comes as no surprise, as teams often prioritize the health of their key players heading into the regular season.
Other notable players expected to rest during Week 3 of the preseason include 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, who is recovering from a calf injury but should be ready for Week 1.
Bills linebacker Matt Milano is also out for Week 3 of preseason and beyond, dealing with a torn bicep. Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks, meanwhile, suffered a knee injury in early August but is expected to be available for Week 1.
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