Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza put up solid numbers in his preseason debut against the Cardinals, and on Tuesday he was given first-team reps against the Houston Texans defense during joint practice. Still, he acknowledges that he has plenty of room for growth. In a SportsCenter segment following practice, ESPN's Ryan McFadden points to Mendoza's timing and anticipation as areas that the coaching staff is looking for improvement, noting head coach Klint Kubiak's attention to detail on a play-to-play basis. The coaching staff has reportedly been impressed by the work ethic of the first overall pick, and there is confidence that Mendoza will make the necessary strides as he gets more time on task, with extended reps expected for him in Thursday night's preseason matchup with the Texans.

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) has taken part in team periods over the past two practices as he works his way back from the serious knee injury that ended his 2025 season, but until he sheds the red non-contact jersey he's worn since his return, he will not be cleared to play in the team's season opener against the Cowboys. Speaking with the media on Tuesday, head coach John Harbaugh said, "He won't go through the rest of the summer in a red jersey... He's going to have to get bumped around and hit and fronted up. You just have to feel that and know how to deal with it to protect yourself." Harbaugh added, "I've always been hopeful that he would play in [Week 1 of] the regular season... Still don't know for sure, so we just have to see where we go day to day." Nabers' progress has been encouraging, but with one more significant hurdle to clear before the regular season, his status will need to be monitored throughout the end of camp.

The Los Angeles Chargers hosted the San Francisco 49ers for a joint practice on Tuesday, and the loudest ovation of the day came on a tone-setting run from second-year running back Omarion Hampton. Reportedly welcoming contact all day, Hampton drew the attention of onlookers and teammates alike by plowing through 49ers safety Ji'Ayir Brown during a full-team drill, later earning the praise of quarterback Justin Herbert. "He's incredibly tough. He leads by example and doesn't say much, but what he does on the field is so loud," Herbert told reporters after practice. "Guys respect him and it's so cool to hand him the ball and see what he's able to do. He's an incredible athlete, incredible competitor and I'm glad he's on my side of the ball." Hampton missed eight games as a rookie with an ankle injury, but a popular breakout candidate in a revamped Chargers offense, he is RotoBaller's RB11 in 2026.

Veteran running back D'Ernest Johnson has agreed to a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans, according to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz. Tony Pollard (foot), Nicholas Singleton (undisclosed/foot), and Kalel Mullings (hip) all missed Monday's practice, so Johnson brings much-needed training camp depth to a position stretched thin of late, providing the added bonus of extensive special teams experience throughout his seven-year career. While unlikely to find a long-term role in Tennessee's running back room, Johnson's presence could help to lighten the load on fourth-year player Tyjae Spears, who saw the bulk of Monday's work as one of the remaining healthy backs on the roster, and from whom big things are expected in the passing game if he can stay healthy in 2026.