Professional football is officially underway across the country this morning, as all 32 NFL teams have now both reported to training camp and logged a full practice session ahead of the 2026 season.
The first handful of days have already delivered plenty of action, some notable hold-ins and lucrative contract extensions for some of the league's top defenders.
We’ll continue to keep you updated here at Sports Illustrated with all the latest injury updates, top plays, best quotes and more from around the league. Here's a look at Thursday's action so far.
Injury updates
What was an exciting Wednesday in the NFL unfortunately also brought with it several injuries to some marquee players (which we broke down here). Here's the latest from Thursday:
- After missing Wednesday’s practice with a “flare-up” that was later reported as a back injury, Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is back on the practice field.
- Good news out of Cincinnati: After being carted off the field during Wednesday’s practice following a scary-looking knee injury, Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart only suffered a hyperextended knee. “The belief is no ligament damage for Stewart,” according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport .
Top plays
Here are some of the top plays from Thursday’s action across the league:
Drake Maye ➡️ A.J. Brown pic.twitter.com/ZZrXRjboes
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 30, 2026
Joe Burrow to Ja’Marr Chase on a perfect sideline pattern and down and distance Thursday in 11s. pic.twitter.com/cnuz2BODdh
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) July 30, 2026
Best quotes
Here are some of the best and most noteworthy soundbites from the NFL on Thursday:
- Kevin O’Connell on the Vikings’ quarterback competition between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy: “The amount of plays [each QB will get] is really up to the group out on the field, and can you drive it against Brian Flores’s defense. And that could be a three-play drive or it could be an eight-play drive. ... The intent is to provide both guys with what they need throughout the competition, and ultimately to give us a chance to have a thorough understanding of exactly where we’re at, and what’s going to be the best thing for the Minnesota Vikings.”
- Mike Vrabel told reporters that DeAndre Hopkins, who spent a few days with Patriots’ coaches and their front office, is no longer with the team: “It was a great experience. Hop’s not here. But, it was a great experience for I think all of us. I think it’s what you try to do when you have some of these unique situations where a player, or a former player, or whatever it may be wants to come in, and help, and learn, and they love football. And so, I think it was good for everybody.”
- Baker Mayfield on the Buccaneers not extending him by his training camp deadline: “I wanted the deal done, and set the deadline and told them it was going to be all ball after that. ... I don’t know if they thought I was just gonna take some of the offers that they gave, but I’m at the point in my career and understanding what I’ve brought to this franchise. One: I’m very, very thankful for the chance they gave me, do not get me wrong on that. But I also know what I’ve brought to this franchise, leadership-wise and play-wise. It’s been some of the best years of my career and I think it’s only going to trend upwards. ... Disappointing in that regard to feel disrespected a little bit.”
