The NFL preseason is finally upon us, giving us our first glance at how several former Northwestern Wildcats will perform at the next level.

Action will kick off on Thursday, Aug. 13, when nine ex-Wildcats will take the field. Here's everything you need to know as NU alumni battle for roster spots in Week 1 of the NFL preseason:

7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT on NFL Network

GB: None; PIT: WR Ben Skowronek (NU 2016-19), DL Dean Lowry (NU 2012-15)

Two former Wildcats open the first week of NFL preseason action on Thursday night. Dean Lowry returns to the field after missing the entirety of the 2025 season with an ACL injury, while Ben Skowronek is coming off his first career Pro Bowl nod as a special teamer.

7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT on Local TV

DET: TE Thomas Gordon (NU 2019-24); CIN: None

Thomas Gordon spent much of last season on the Bears' practice squad, but now heads to the NFC North rival Lions. Detroit appears to have its top two tight ends set in Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright, but Gordon could make a run toward a reserve/special teams roster spot.

7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CT on Local TV

IND: DL Adetomiwa Adebawore (NU 2019-22); NE: None

Adetomiwa Adebawore enters his fourth season in the NFL after the Colts used a fourth-round draft pick on him in 2023. He is currently a third-string defensive tackle on Indianapolis' most recent depth chart.

8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT on ESPN app

ARI: RB Evan Hull (NU 2019-22), DL Eku Leota (NU 2018-20); LV: None

Evan Hull will look to earn his spot in a crowded running back room after joining the Cardinals on Aug. 3. Eku Leota, who finished his collegiate career at Auburn, is also seeking an active roster spot.

8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT on Local TV

LAC: OL Rashawn Slater (NU 2017-20); HOU: None

Rashawn Slater is a guaranteed starter and unlikely to play much in the preseason. However, after missing all of last season with a torn patellar tendon, it could be helpful for the left tackle to shake off the rust in games that have little meaning.

9:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. CT on NFL Network

TEN: OL Peter Skoronski (NU 2020-22), DL Earnest Brown IV (NU 2017-20); SF: None

It's highly unlikely that Peter Skoronski, who recently signed the richest contract by a guard in NFL history, will play more than a drive or two for the Titans on Thursday. Earnest Brown IV is currently listed as a second-string interior defensive lineman on Tennessee's depth chart.

7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT on Local TV

MIA: WR A.J. Henning (NU 2023-24), OL Josh Priebe (NU 2020-23), WR Malik Washington (NU 2019-22); WAS: DB Fred Davis II (NU 2025)

Malik Washington is the most accomplished of the group and projects to be the Dolphins' No. 1 wideout this season. Given Miami's lack of depth at the position, A.J. Henning could make a strong case to join the active roster as well. Josh Priebe is currently the Dolphins' backup right guard and Fred Davis II will get plenty of opportunities to stick on a Commanders secondary that struggled last season.

1:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. CT on Local TV

CAR: RB Anthony Tyus III (NU 2021-23); BUF: None

Anthony Tyus III, who finished his collegiate career at Ohio, scored his first NFL touchdown in last week's Hall of Fame Game. However, he's got a long road ahead of him to make the Panthers' active roster and is currently Carolina's fifth-string running back.

1:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. CT on ESPN app

MIN: OL Caleb Tiernan (NU 2021-25), TE Marshall Lang (NU 2020-24); NYG: DB Greg Newsome II (NU 2018-20)

The Vikings drafted Caleb Tiernan in the third round of the NFL Draft this spring, and he's slated to be the team's backup right tackle. Marshall Lang spent last season between the Seattle Seahawks' and New England Patriots' practice squads before joining Minnesota this offseason. Greg Newsome II will look to revive his career in New York after the former first-rounder was traded from Cleveland to Jacksonville last year.

4:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. CT on NFL Network

LAR: OL Blake Hance (NU 2014-18); KC: OL Josh Thompson (NU 2021-24)

A seven-year veteran, Blake Hance appears to be buried on the Super Bowl favorite Rams' depth chart. The same goes for Josh Thompson, who signed with Kansas City as an undrafted free agent after a year at LSU.

7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT on ESPN app

PHI: None; BAL: OL Evan Beerntsen (NU 2025)

Evan Beerntsen was one of the last picks in the 2025 NFL Draft and will aim to make the roster as a right guard. He spent one season at Northwestern following a six-year stint with South Dakota State.

8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT on NFL Network

DAL: None; SEA: DL Aidan Hubbard (NU 2021-25)

It'll be a tough task for Aidan Hubbard to crack the lineup of the defending Super Bowl champions, but the undrafted rookie edge rusher should have plenty of opportunity to learn from some of the best defenders in the game.

Friday, Aug. 14: Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets

Saturday, Aug. 15: Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars at New Orleans Saints