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 Sports
- Which NFL players are taking the field in the final week of preseason action?
- Among the starting players is Chicago Bears projected backup QB Tyson Bagent
- Read 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.
Make sure to check out the best football betting apps if you wish to place a wager on the final weekend of NFL preseason.
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.
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.
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
As the NFL preseason enters its third week, teams are starting to solidify their rosters and make decisions on which players will be starting and which will be sitting. This week is crucial for players on the bubble, as they have one last chance to prove themselves before final cuts are made.
For many teams, the third preseason game is seen as a dress rehearsal for the regular season. Starters typically play into the second half, giving coaches a chance to evaluate their performance in a game-like setting. This is especially important for players who are new to the team or have been dealing with injuries, as it allows them to get valuable reps and build chemistry with their teammates.
On the flip side, some starters may be held out of the third preseason game to avoid the risk of injury. Coaches may also choose to sit players who have already proven themselves in order to give younger or less experienced players more playing time. This gives coaches a chance to evaluate their depth and see how players perform under pressure.
One player who will likely be starting in preseason Week 3 is rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Lawrence, the first overall pick in this year’s draft, has been impressive in his first two preseason games and is expected to continue to get valuable reps as he prepares for his first NFL season.
On the other hand, players like Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady may be sitting out this week. Both veterans have proven themselves time and time again and are unlikely to see much playing time in the preseason as coaches look to keep them healthy for the regular season.
Overall, preseason Week 3 is a crucial time for players to make their case for a spot on the roster. Whether they are fighting for a starting job or simply trying to make the team, every snap counts as coaches make their final decisions before the start of the regular season.