Falcons name Tua starter; Cowboys lose Smith to surgery

Week one of the NFL regular season has officially arrived, bringing final roster adjustments and last-minute injury updates as teams prepare for kickoff this Wednesday following Super Bowl LIX. The Atlanta Falcons have publicly named Tua Tagovailoa their Week 1 starting quarterback. Conversely, the Dallas Cowboys face a significant blow to their offensive line after All-Pro guard Tyler Smith will undergo thumb surgery. Meanwhile, preparations are underway in Australia for the Niners and Rams clash, where one franchise confirms the return of a pass rusher while keeping details about theirs tightly held back.

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald offered only vague responses Monday regarding whether he would travel to Melbourne or suit up against the San Francisco 49ers. After ending his retirement on August 30, the veteran continued his conditioning ramp-up while telling reporters he felt really good about making the trip. Head coach Sean McVay previously stated the entire roster is expected to fly out, yet Donald's snap count remains a day-to-day evaluation as game day approaches in Australia.

Myles Garrett looked strong during practice, ensuring the Rams pass rush will remain formidable despite any lingering questions about Donald. San Francisco defensive coordinator Raheem Morris confirmed that star edge rusher Nick Bosa will play in Thursday's opener against the Rams in Melbourne. Bosa suffered a torn right ACL last season and dealt with knee tendinitis but returned to practice before joining the team for the flight across the globe.

"He is going to play," Morris told reporters without hiding that fact. Bosa provides a major boost to a San Francisco pass rush that finished last in the NFL regarding sacks last year. The 49ers may manage his snap volume as he builds conditioning, but his active status anchors their defense for this historic kickoff overseas.

Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken hinted sixth-round rookie Taylen Green could be active for Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars to run specialized packages behind starter Deshaun Watson. When asked if Green might earn the game-day spot over Shedeur Sanders, Monken left the door open, noting activating three quarterbacks remains possible. Gabriel is on injured reserve due to a back injury, which opened a roster spot after Dillon Gabriel's placement there in April. Monken named Watson the starter on August 24 following camp competition between him and Sanders.

The Dallas Cowboys offense has seen constant turnover recently, yet Tyler Smith served as a steady anchor until now. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer announced Monday that Smith will be sidelined for at least four games while he recovers from thumb surgery expected to last six weeks total. The procedure opens up an active roster spot and forces the team to survive without their key lineman during the regular season opener.

T.J. Bass will start at left guard for the Cowboys this Sunday. He takes over because Harrison Smith has been dealing with an issue and is sidelined. Bass joined the team as an undrafted free agent and made ten career starts total. Five of those came last year. The organization kept him after offering a second-round restricted free agent tender. They face the Giants on Sunday Night Football in New York for their season opener.

The Giants officially released veteran wide receiver Darius Slayton on Monday. This ends his seven-year run with the franchise. Picked in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, he was the longest-tenured player on New York's roster before this move. He recorded 296 catches for 4,435 receiving yards and twenty-two touchdowns over those seven seasons. The release clears necessary space while the team finalizes a receiving corps led by Malik Nabers, Odell Beckham Jr., Darnell Mooney, and rookie Malachi Fields. Slayton posted a farewell message on X Monday thanking the organization before becoming an unrestricted free agent. He signed a three-year, $36 million deal before last season and was due $13 million this year. The move creates just over $3 million in cap space for the current year.

After a competitive quarterback battle, Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Tua Tagovailoa will start against the Steelers on Sunday. Michael Penix Jr. is still recovering from season-ending knee surgery and expected to return later this year. Tagovailoa takes the reins until Penix gets fully cleared. With Penix's return unknown, Cooper Rush will likely serve as the backup for the season opener. Tagovailoa finished his final Miami season with mixed results. He started over 14 games, completing 67.7% of passes for 2,660 yards, twenty touchdowns, and fifteen interceptions while adding forty-three ground yards.

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales remains optimistic running back Jonathon Brooks will play against the Bears on Sunday despite missing his third consecutive practice due to general soreness. Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur expressed hope Monday that first-round rookie Jeremiyah Love would suit up for Week 1 against the Chargers as he recovers from a preseason high ankle sprain. Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is expected to play in Thursday's matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia after being held out during August practice sessions while recovering from a psoas injury. Six-time Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith agreed to terms on a new deal with the Minnesota Vikings, officially returning for his fifteenth NFL season after contemplating retirement during the offseason. The New York Giants also agreed to a two-year, $13 million extension with veteran backup quarterback Jameis Winston, keeping him under contract through 2028.