Stefon Diggs and other NFL Week 1 preseason disappointments

Football fans were excited to tune into a full slate of preseason games over the weekend, as teams and players look to sharpen their skills for the real games. However, certain events left us wanting more. We’ll go over the disappointments that popped up throughout the NFL in the first week of the preseason. All statistics are sourced from the NFL’s website.

The Kansas City Chiefs placed a lot of attention on improving their receiving corps ahead of the 2024 campaign, and one of their important pass catchers has already gone down with an injury. Brown departed the contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and was reportedly hospitalized, according to CBS Sports. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told CBS he expects Brown to “miss some time.”

One of the blockbuster moves of the offseason saw the Houston Texans acquire four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs. Diggs didn’t draw a target from C.J. Stroud in the preseason opener, and video footage showed Diggs in an animated conversation with Stroud during the game. Athlon Sports openly wonders if Diggs is already a problem for his new team.

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Los Angeles chose to sit most of its starters against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, but the Rams curiously also benched an important rookie in Corum. There don’t seem to be any injury red flags attached to Corum at this point, and it might have been wise to get him a couple carries as he gets acclimated to the NFL.

Winston appears to be one of the most popular teammates in the NFL, as his former brothers in arms in New Orleans told ESPN about his loyalty and dedication. That was on full display with Winston’s new team in Cleveland, as the quarterback rallied the Browns before their preseason opener. It may not mean much, but it’s a reminder that Watson will need a huge bounce back season to restore the faith in Cleveland under center.

It’s not so much that Pearsall’s absence in the preseason opener is a disappointment, as much as it’s disappointing. Unfortunately for San Francisco’s first round pick, Pearsall has missed valuable time during training camp with a hamstring injury. The San Francisco Chronicle reports an impasse with Brandon Aiyuk, which makes Pearsall’s slow start more relevant.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Bucky Irving had a decent first NFL preseason game, scoring a rushing touchdown in his debut. However, he only caught one pass for no yards, which is a slight disappointment considering Irving’s receiving chops coming out of college. The Bucs’ website noted Irving led all FBS backs in catches a year ago with 56.

The New England Patriots have been pretty committed to starting the season with veteran Jacoby Brissett under center, rather than throw rookie quarterback Drake Maye into the fire. It’s a fair approach, but Maye only threw the ball three times in the preseason opener. Even if the Patriots want to slow-play his development, Maye will need more exposure during the exhibition season.

During the 2024 preseason, the NFL is testing out a VAR-like system that is common to soccer and tennis fans. Thanks to a microchip in the ball, the NFL will be able to determine whether the ball was advanced far enough for a first down. If the system performs well this summer, it could become the norm during the 2025 regular season.

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Fans have flocked to NFL preseason games to observe the new format of the kickoffs, which varies greatly from what everyone has been used to. So far, the returns (pun intended), have been pretty average. NFL teams might be waiting for the real games to start before unleashing creative plays on special teams.