It used to be that NFL head coaches would play their starters the most in the third preseason game, but that was when teams were playing four each. Now that they are down to three each, it’s generally up to each individual coach on whether to play the starters. Here’s a look at a few interesting preseason finales.

A Look into Week 3 of the 2023 NFL Preseason

Indianapolis Colts vs. Philadelphia Eagles

• When: Thursday, August 24

These two had a joint practice on Tuesday and it ended in a huge brawl. Things had gotten tense after Jalen Carter and Derek Barnett took turns swatting the ball out of Colts QB Anthony Richardson’s hands, a no-no for quarterbacks staying protected. Then All-Pro center Jason Kelce took offense to a late hit from Zaire Franklin on running back Kenneth Gainwell and it was on.

That the defending NFC champion Eagles are 4.5-point underdogs Thursday should tell you how Philly coach Nick Sirianni feels about playing his starters. QB Jalen Hurts, who got his big new extension this offseason, hasn’t played in the preseason and isn’t expected to. Ditto most other starters.

The rookie Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s draft, has already won the Indy starting job but will apparently start this game after not starting this past weekend against Chicago. That presumably bodes well that the majority of the Colts starters will play, particularly along the offensive line to better protect their franchise player.

We know that Colts star RB Jonathan Taylor, the 2021 NFL rushing king, will not play. He continues to be away from the team looking for a trade. The Colts have given him permission to do so with Miami considered a leading candidate.

2023 NFL Preseason Week 3 Pick: Philadelphia Eagles +4.5

Detroit Lions vs. Carolina Panthers

• When: Friday, August 25

The Panthers have already named No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young as their regular-season starting QB but Young has started each preseason game so far and apparently will start Friday as well. If the plan for Young is similar, expect him to play two to three drives. Young completed seven of his 12 throws for 56 yards over 32 total snaps so far this preseason. Young has led five drives with three of them resulting in three-and-outs. The Panthers have scored just three points with the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner under center.

“We’d like to get a little rhythm going and accomplish certain things, so we will play it by ear,” Coach Frank Reich said in regards to how long Young might play. “He’s gotten a lot of work and reps. That’s why we made the decision back in the spring to announce him as the starter and put our team in a position to say ‘hey, this is who we are going to be moving forward.’ We are practicing at a high level that I think is preparing us for the season.”

It’s not clear if Detroit starting QB Jared Goff will play but most likely not. No. 1 wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown is recovering from an injury so he will not. Ditto fellow WR Jameson Williams.

2023 NFL Preseason Week 1 Pick: Carolina Panthers -4.5

New York Jets vs. New York Giants

• When: Saturday, August 26

This likely will draw the most action of any Week 3 preseason game because it will be the Jets debut of QB Aaron Rodgers – the first time he will have played in the preseason since 2018 with Green Bay. Rodgers hasn’t dressed for New York’s first three games. The Jets have a history of quarterback injuries against the Giants. In 2003, Chad Pennington fractured his left wrist in the annual preseason contest, causing him to miss the first six regular-season games. In 2013, Mark Sanchez suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the fourth quarter behind a backup offensive line. Though he has been a part of the team since voluntary offseason workouts, it will be Rodgers’ first time wearing his No. 8 Jets jersey in game action.

“You can’t coach scared, you can’t play scared,” Coach Robert Saleh said Tuesday about starting Rodgers on Saturday. “You can slip out of your car and have something happen to you. Knock on wood, everyone will be fine. … And I just didn’t want the first time that he goes out with his new team, new colors, new teammates, new stadium, I didn’t want Sept. 11 to be the first time.”

In addition to Rodgers making his preseason debut, Saleh said that he hopes offensive linemen Alijah Vera-Tucker and Laken Tomlinson would take some snaps on Saturday night for the first time this preseason. Newly signed running back RB Dalvin Cook will not play, Neither will starting RB Breece Hall as he recovers from his ACL injury.

2023 NFL Preseason Week 3 Pick: New York Giants +4.5

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