Here's everything you need to know before the former Illinois Fighting Illini take the field in Week 2 of the NFL preseason.
The second week of the NFL preseason is officially underway, and there are several former Fighting Illini who are set to take the field starting Thursday.
Here's everything you need to know about how to watch Illinois alumni in the NFL preseason this weekend:
Thursday, Aug. 20
Las Vegas Raiders at Houston Texans
8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT on ESPN
LV: None; HOU: LB Jake Hansen (ILL 2016-21)
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Chargers
10:00 p.m. ET/9:00 p.m. CT on NFL Network
SF: WR Malik Turner (ILL 2014-17), DB Nate Hobbs (ILL 2017-20), OL Vederian Lowe (ILL 2017-21), OL Doug Kramer (ILL 2016-21), DL James Thompson Jr. (ILL 2025); LAC: LB Del'Shawn Phillips (ILL 2017-18), DL TeRah Edwards (ILL 2022-24), WR Dalevon Campbell (ILL 2019-21)
Malik Turner was targeted six times in the 49ers' preseason opener, hauling in two catches for 23 yards. For the Chargers, Dalevon Campbell recorded a 32-yard reception and TeRah Edwards tallied four tackles.
Friday, Aug. 21
New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers
7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT on NFL Network
NYJ: WR Isaiah Williams (ILL 2019-23); PIT: None
Isaiah Williams played seven offensive snaps at wide receiver in last week's loss to the Buccaneers, but was not targeted.
Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars
7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN app
CAR: WR Casey Washington (ILL 2019-23); JAX: None
Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos
9:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. CT on NFL Network
GB: Josh Gesky (ILL 2021-25); DEN: OL Alex Palczewski (ILL 2017-22), WR Pat Bryant (ILL 2021-24), DB Miles Scott (ILL 2021-25)
Josh Gesky played 16 snaps at right guard in Green Bay's 28-9 loss to the Steelers. According to Pro Football Focus, his 82.2 pass-blocking grade was the third-highest among all Packers. Pat Bryant had a 15-yard catch, while Miles Scott was targeted twice and allowed one three-yard reception.
Saturday, Aug. 22
Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions
12:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. CT on Local TV
WAS: OL Nick Allegretti (ILL 2019-23), DB Quan Martin (ILL 2018-22), DL Jer'Zhan Newton (ILL 2020-23); DET: DB Kerby Joseph (ILL 2018-21), OL Melvin Priestly (ILL 2024-25), QB Luke Altmyer (ILL 2023-25)
Jer'Zhan Newton started for the Commanders and played 23 snaps, but a torn pectoral muscle will sideline him indefinitely in a crucial third season. Luke Altmyer had a mixed debut under center, completing 13 of his 22 passes for 130 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. One of those turnovers, however, came on a dropped pass by his wide receiver.
Aug 13, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Luke Altmyer (2) throws a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images Buffalo Bills at Cleveland Browns
1:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. CT on NFL Network
BUF: None; CLE: OL Kendrick Green (ILL 2017-20)
Kendrick Green is currently on injured reserve and is out indefinitely.
Atlanta Falcons at Indianapolis Colts
1:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. CT on Local TV
ATL: DB Sydney Brown (ILL 2018-22); IND: OL Josh Kreutz (ILL 2021-25)
New York Giants at Miami Dolphins
4:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. CT on NFL Network
NYG: OL J.C. Davis (ILL 2024-25); MIA: None
Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals
7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT on Local TV
CIN: OL Ted Karras (ILL 2011-15), RB Chase Brown (ILL 2019-22); CHI: None
Chase Brown had five carries for 16 yards against the Lions, while Ted Karras did not allow a pressure in 13 snaps.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) hands off to running back Chase Brown (30) in the first quarter of the NFL Preseason game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Detroit Lions at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots
7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT on NFL Network
PHI: None; NE: QB Tommy DeVito (ILL 2022), OLB Gabe Jacas (ILL 2022-25), TE Tanner Arkin (ILL 2023-25)
Tommy DeVito went 13-for-22 with 138 yards and a touchdown in the Patriots' 13-13 tie against the Colts. Second-round rookie Gabe Jacas recorded five tackles, including three solo tackles.
Kansas City Chiefs at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN app
KC: None; TB: K Chase McLaughlin (ILL 2014-18)
Chase McLaughlin knocked down his lone field goal attempt — a 23-yarder — and an extra point in the Buccaneers' 24-16 win over the Jets last week.
Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals
10:00 p.m. ET/9:00 p.m. CT on NFL Network
DAL: None; ARI: OL Isaiah Adams (ILL 2022-23), TE Tip Reiman (ILL 2020-23)
Isaiah Adams played 11 snaps against the Raiders in Week 1 and did not surrender a pressure. Tip Reiman remains on the physically unable to perform list.
Sunday, Aug. 23
Seattle Seahawks at Tennessee Titans
8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT on FOX
SEA: DB Devon Witherspoon (ILL 2019-22); TEN: DB Tony Adams (ILL 2017-21), WR Hank Beatty (ILL 2022-25)
Hank Beatty was targeted once in his nine snaps, while Tony Adams did not record a stat in 18 snaps. Devon Witherspoon did not play last week.
Games Without Former Illinois Fighting Illini
Saturday, Aug. 22: Baltimore Ravens at Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams


