NFL preseason Week 3: Tua Tagovailoa will start for Falcons Friday while Michael Penix Jr. continues to recover

There are only two days left in 2026 NFL preseason schedule.

Twenty teams will be in action on Friday evening as players get one more chance to either get some game work ahead of the regular season starting in two weeks or impress the coaching staff enough to make the roster or practice squad.

Heading into the final week of season games, there is only one quarterback battle left to be decided. The Atlanta Falcons haven’t yet decided on a Week 1 starter. The Falcons are theoretically deciding between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr., but fans have been impressed with rookie Jack Strand in camp.

Here’s a look at who’s in and who’s out for Friday’s NFL preseason schedule:

Notables playing: QB Sam Hartman, C Ethan Pocic

Notables confirmed out: TE Ben Sinnott, RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, C Danny Pinter, DT Nnamdi Madubuike, QBs Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariotta

After taking part in a joint-practice this week, the two teams will meet in the final week of the preseason. Both starting units go plenty of reps this week which opens the door for one last opportunities for fringe players on both teams to make their case to be part of the final 53-man rosters.

Notables playing: QBs Tua Tagovailoa, Jack Strand, Cooper Rush

Notables confirmed out: QB Michael Penix Jr.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Wednesday that Penix would not be playing in the team’s preseason finale. The quarterback only had three practices since being medically cleared, and Stefanski didn’t think that would be enough. Penix has, according to Stefanski, done enough to put himself to win the job ahead of Week 1, though.

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Notables playing: QBs Kenny Pickett, Kyle Trask, WR John Metchie III

Notables confirmed out: QBs C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, RBs David Montgomery, Chuba Hubbard, WRs Nico Collins, Tetairoa McMillan

Both head coaches said earlier this week that no starters will play, giving ample playing time to those fighting for a roster spot ahead of Sunday’s cutdown day. It will also allow Pickett and Trask plenty of reps to determine who will backup Young.

Notables playing: WRs Tim Patrick, Odell Beckham Jr., RB Tyrone Tracy, QBs Brady Cook, Bailey Zappe

Notables confirmed out: WR Calvin Austin, RB Breece Hall

Giants head coach John Harbaugh did not say if his starters would play, noting that his decision could lean towards ‘yes’ given that it would be nearly a month in-between game action for the No. 1 unit ahead of Week 1. Aaron Glenn, meanwhile, is still contemplating making the “right decision” about who to play.

Notables playing: QBs Nick Mullen, Jalon Daniels, WRs Kameron Johnson, David Sills V

Notables confirmed out: QBs Baker Mayfield, Trevor Lawrence, LB Reuben Bain Jr., DEs Travon Walker, Josh Hines-Allen, TE Brenton Strange, WR Parker Washington

Both coaches will rest their starters, but the roster battles continue. While Todd Bowles and Liam Coen know who will fill in their No. 1 units, cementing their depth chart at various positions will be important heading into Week 1. The Buccaneers and Jaguars have many questions down their roster that will be answered over the next 48 hours, beginning Friday night.

Notables playing: QBs Joe Milton III, Spencer Rattler, Zach Wilson, WR Jonathan Mingo, RBs Kendre Miller, Zamir White

Notables confirmed out: QBs Tyler Shough, Dak Prescott, RB Travis Etienne Jr., WR Chris Olave, TE Juwan Johnson

Many of the Saints starters will take part in pre-game warmup, but they will not play against the Cowboys, according to head coach Kellen Moore. New Orleans took part in three joint-practices during training camp. “I think we accomplished what we wanted to…puts us in a really good position,” Moore said.

Notables playing: RB MarShawn Lloyd, TE Jonnu Smith

Notables confirmed out: TE Tucker Kraft, QB Carson Beck, RB Josh Jacobs

Kraft, who is recovering from a torn ACL, is unlikely to play as he continues ramping up to be ready for Week 1. Beck suffered a rib injury during the preseason opener and did not participate in practice this week.

Notables playing: QBs Jalen Milroe, Garrett Nussmeier

Notables confirmed out: RB Jadarian Price, WR Tory Horton, QB Patrick Mahomes

Milroe will get the entire game under center for the Seahawks, according to head coach Mike Macdonald. Units other than the Seattle starters will get the bulk of game time. Justin Fields could see the field, said Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. While Nussmeier could play the entire game, Reid wants Fields to stay loose just in case.

Notables playing: WRs Makai Lemon, Elijah Moore, Dohntae Meyers, Charlie Jones, DT Landon Robinson

Notables confirmed out: QBs Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, WRs DeVonta Smith, Tee Higgins, Ja’Marr Chase, RBs Saquon Barkley, Chase Brown

No Bengals or Eagles starters will see action Friday night in the preseason finale. Philadelphia wide out Makai Lemon took part in practice working back from a hamstring injury and could see the field. Quarterbacks Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee remain in a bttle for No. 2 behind Hurts.

Notables playing: QBs Carson Wentz, Max Brosmer

After going through workouts this week, J.J. McCarthy may play against the Broncos as long as his ankle is feeling fine. Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer are likely to take part as the backup competition continues. Sean Payton has said it’s unlikely Bo Nix plays in the final preseason tilt.