Checklist Category: NFL
Publish Date: August 7, 2026
The 2026 NFL preseason is officially in the books : one game deep, at least. Last night’s Hall of Fame Game in Canton delivered a thriller, with the Carolina Panthers topping the Arizona Cardinals 33-30 on a walk-off touchdown scramble by undrafted rookie quarterback Haynes King. As the rest of the league prepares for its preseason openers next week, Day 11 of training camp brought injury scares in New England, depth chart signals in Pittsburgh, and an emerging quarterback debate in the desert. Here is your complete Day 11 around-the-league intel report.
1. Hall of Fame Game Recap: Panthers 33, Cardinals 30
The preseason opener lived up to the hype. Carolina rallied from behind to win on the final play as Haynes King scrambled 5 yards for the walk-off touchdown as time expired. King finished with 180 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 39 rushing yards in a performance that will have Panthers fans buzzing.
Cardinals rookie Carson Beck was equally impressive in his debut, completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown (125.4 passer rating) before being relieved by Kedon Slovis. The win marked Carolina’s first appearance in the Hall of Fame Game since their inaugural 1995 season. For more analytical breakdowns and upcoming matchups, check out the latest ATS Stats NFL Picks.
2. Arizona Cardinals: Beck’s Debut Creates QB Conversation
Carson Beck’s sharp performance in Canton has already started conversations about whether he could push veteran Jacoby Brissett for the starting job. Beck looked poised, accurate, and in command of Mike LaFleur’s offense. The Cardinals’ quarterback room just got a lot more interesting as the preseason slate approaches.
3. Carolina Panthers: Haynes King’s Undrafted Breakout
Haynes King entered the game as a relatively unknown undrafted rookie. He leaves as the talk of the Panthers’ preseason. His ability to create with his legs (the walk-off scramble) while also throwing for 180 yards and two scores gives Carolina an intriguing developmental piece behind Kenny Pickett (who started and played the first half) and the resting Bryce Young.
4. New England Patriots: Defensive Injuries Mounting in Foxborough
Day 11 wasn’t kind to the Patriots’ defense. Defensive starters Christian Barmore and Charles Woods both left practice early with the training staff. Left tackle Will Campbell was limited to individual drills while wearing an elbow brace. Wide receiver Romeo Doubs sat out entirely. On a positive note, the defense recorded two interceptions during two-minute drills, showing that the unit is creating turnovers even amidst the injury concerns.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike McCarthy Downplays Initial Depth Chart
Mike McCarthy made headlines by downplaying the Steelers’ initial depth chart release, reminding media and fans that training camp evaluations are fluid and far from finalized. One position to watch: the WR3 battle between Roman Wilson and Germie Bernard continues to heat up, with both players making explosive plays in padded work.
6. Chicago Bears: Day 7 Camp Recap
The Bears continue their installation under Ben Johnson’s second-year offense. Caleb Williams is processing post-snap reads at a higher tempo, and the offense is showing signs of the Year 2 sophistication Johnson has been emphasizing throughout camp.
7. NFL Hold-In Tracker: Vea, Tuipulotu, and Others
Several notable players across the league are currently holding in (reporting to camp but not practicing) while seeking contract adjustments. Vita Vea (Buccaneers) and Tuli Tuipulotu (Chargers) are among the names to watch as training camp continues and the regular season approaches.
8. What’s Next: Preseason Week 1 Kicks Off Across the League
With the Hall of Fame Game in the books, the full preseason schedule arrives next week. Key matchups to watch:
- Preseason Week 1 runs from Thursday, August 13 through Saturday, August 15.
- Key quarterback battles will get their first live-game auditions.
- Joint practices are scheduled across the league as teams finalize roster cuts.
Disclaimer: For entertainment and informational purposes only : not betting advice. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
