KSR Today: Cats in the NFL ramp up preseason schedule

Real-life football is here for our consumption and it will be through February. The high school regular season begins next week, college football set to kick off the following weekend. And then from there, the NFL season will begin on September 7.

Until then, though, the NFL preseason is here to pass the time, a schedule loaded with former Kentucky standouts knocking the rust off ahead of regular season action next month. 31 former Wildcats are on training camp rosters, some fighting for their 53-man team lives and others firmly established as core pieces of their respective franchises. The deadline for roster cuts is August 29, meaning there will be plenty of moving and shifting leading up to then.

The New York Jets (Randall Cobb and Brandin Echols) and Cleveland Browns (Za’Darius Smith and Chris Westry) got things rolling in the Hall of Fame game last Thursday, while two games took place last night to open the full preseason slate. And from here on out, it’s full steam ahead.

What can fans expect this weekend when they flip through their channels?

NFL Preseason Schedule

Thursday

• Houston Texans def. New England Patriots (Quandre Mosely) 20-9
• Seattle Seahawks def. Minnesota Vikings 24-13

Friday

• Cincinnati Bengals (Yusuf Corker) vs. Green Bay Packers (Carrington Valentine) – 7 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
• Detroit Lions (Benny Snell, Josh Paschal) vs. New York Giants (Wan’Dale Robinson) – 7 p.m. ET
• Miami Dolphins (Keidron Smith) vs. Atlanta Falcons (Bud Dupree, Josh Ali) – 7 p.m. ET
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – 7 p.m. ET
• Cleveland Browns (Za’Darius Smith, Chris Westry) vs. Washington Commanders (Jamin Davis, Chris Rodriguez Jr.) – 7:30 p.m. ET
• Arizona Cardinals vs. Denver Broncos – 10 p.m. ET (NFL Network)

Saturday

• Buffalo Bills vs. Indianapolis Colts – 1 p.m. ET
• Chicago Bears vs. Tennessee Titans (Will Levis, Justin Rigg) – 1 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
• Carolina Panthers (Marquan McCall) vs. New York Jets (Randall Cobb, Brandin Echols) – 4 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
• Dallas Cowboys (Quinton Bohanna, Kelvin Joseph) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Josh Allen, Luke Fortner) – 5 p.m. ET
• Baltimore Ravens (Tashawn Manning) vs. Philadelphia Eagles – 7 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
• Los Angeles Rams (T.J. Carter, DeAndre Square) vs. Los Angeles Chargers – 9 p.m. ET (NFL Network)

Sunday

• New Orleans Saints (Lynn Bowden, Lonnie Johnson Jr., Landon Young) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Mike Edwards, Phil Hoskins, Darian Kinnard) – 1 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
• Las Vegas Raiders vs. San Francisco 49ers – 4 p.m. ET (NFL Network)

Will Levis preparing for pro debut

All eyes will be on the Tennessee Titans and Will Levis on Saturday, as the rookie quarterback will be making his NFL debut against the Chicago Bears. And he’s expected to get quite a bit of playing time, battling with Malik Willis for the backup spot behind Ryan Tannehill. As key starters typically sit week one of the preseason, both quarterbacks could split reps right down the middle, one half apiece.

Head coach Mike Vrabel has praised Levis’ progress in camp, notably his “command in the huddle.” He’s still growing and maturing, but forward steps are being made.

The former Wildcat is looking forward to showing what he’s got at Soldier Field, with kickoff scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. ET on NFL Network.

“I’ve had some photoshoots and all that but that didn’t really feel real (wearing an NFL jersey),” Levis said. “But getting out on the field and being able to start it off at a historic place like Soldier Field in Chicago, it’s really, really cool. And I know they’re going to show out and have a good fanbase for us there so it’ll be good energy. Should be a good time.”

Kentucky continues fall camp

The current Wildcats are inching toward their own season, kicking off against Ball State on Sept. 2 at 12 p.m. ET inside Kroger Field. Fall camp got rolling last week, as did the start of media sessions with the staff and players.

Liam Coen and the offense spoke Tuesday, while Brad White and the defense did the same Thursday.

Among the highlights? Trevin Wallace — named to the Butkus Award Watch List on Thursday — is building confidence, while Alex Afari Jr. and Andru Phillips are both making plays on the defensive side of the football. As for the offense, playmakers are starting to emerge and the Wildcats are looking comfortable in the two-minute drill.

Take a look at both pressers/media opportunities below:

And there’s more where that comes from, as Mark Stoops and select players will be available on Saturday following the program’s first major scrimmage of camp.

Trust me when I say you will not want to miss that.

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Craig Skinner previews 2023 Kentucky volleyball season

It’ll be a busy Saturday, as Kentucky volleyball coach Craig Skinner will also speak to the media ahead of the program’s first exhibition match of the 2023 season next week. Skinner will take the podium shortly before Mark Stoops on Saturday to preview the Wildcats’ matchup vs. Western Kentucky on Aug. 17, scheduled for 6 p.m. ET inside Rupp Arena. That event will be free of charge for fans.

From there, Kentucky opens its season on the road at Colorado State on Friday, Aug. 25 at 9 p.m. ET, live on the Mountain West Network. After another road matchup at Northern Colorado on Aug. 26, the Wildcats return home for their home debut against Pittsburgh inside Rupp Arena on Friday, Sep. 1 at 7 p.m. ET.

The dog days of summer are almost over, BBN.