NFL Nation reporters assess the top storylines to watch for every team on Monday.
NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West
AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC West
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
The biggest storyline at Monday's practice figures to be the status of running back Mike Gillislee, who left Saturday's game and was evaluated for a possible concussion. The Bills had backfield depth that made them well-suited to withstand waiving running back Karlos Williams, but losing Gillislee for any period of time would thin out the crowd. Rookie Jonathan Williams could most capitalize on a Gillislee absence. -- Mike Rodak
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are shutting down Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey for the rest of the preseason after he suffered a hip injury in Friday's loss to the Cowboys. Coach Adam Gase said there is some concern about whether Pouncey will be ready for Week 1 of the regular season. Backups Anthony Steen and Jamil Douglas will take over Miami's center role for at least the next two weeks. -- James Walker
New England Patriots
With injury news breaking Sunday regarding running back Dion Lewis (second surgery, will start year on PUP) and offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer (a nagging hip ailment reportedly threatens his season), the spotlight shines more brightly on the projected replacements: third-year running back James White and sixth-year right tackle Marcus Cannon. Both have filled in capably in the past, but the Patriots, naturally, would prefer to not tap into their depth before the season even begins. -- Mike Reiss
New York Jets
The Jets will continue to rotate their right tackles this week, with Ben Ijalana and Brent Qvale sharing reps with the first team. Incumbent Brent Giacomini (back) will miss at least another week -- he still hasn't practiced -- which puts the Jets in a potential bind. The Jets haven't ruled Giacomini out for the season opener, but his chances become bleaker by the day. -- Rich Cimini
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore needs someone to separate himself from a crowded running back race. In the second preseason game, all four running backs averaged 3.7 yards or less. Justin Forsett, Buck Allen, Terrance West and Kenneth Dixon each failed to break a run longer than nine yards against an Indianapolis run defense that ranked No. 25 last season. Forsett, who is still atop the depth chart, was ineffective in his first action of the preseason, gaining 11 yards on five carries. The Ravens' plan in the regular season could be to go with the hot running back from week to week." -- Jamison Hensley
Cincinnati Bengals
Wide receiver Brandon LaFell returned to practice and participated in team drills on Sunday after missing the first two preseason games because of a hand injury, but the Bengals remain thin on the offensive line, with injuries to tackles Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher. The team will hold a semi-public practice for season-ticket holders on Monday, then close practices for the remainder of the preseason. -- Katherine Terrell
Cleveland Browns
Rookie wide receiver Corey Coleman returned to practice Sunday for the first time since he strained his hamstring on Aug. 5. Coleman was joined by Andrew Hawkins, who also missed time because of a hamstring. The hope is that they and Josh Gordon will be able to play in the third preseason game Friday against the Bucs. -- Pat McManamon
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers might face a crucial decision with tight end Ladarius Green, who denied reports that he's suffering from recurring headaches but said his ankle injury is not healed. NFL teams can designate one player for injured reserve/designated to return, and two early candidates are Green and cornerback Senquez Golson, who underwent Lisfranc surgery this month. Green seems like the ideal candidate if he isn't ready by Week 1, but Green told reporters the ankle is "still weak," which triggered more uncertainty with the Steelers' big free-agent signing. -- Jeremy Fowler
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
The Texans' offensive line continued to have difficulties in Saturday's preseason game, as it missed starters at every position except for left guard Xavier Su'a-Filo. Tackles Duane Brown (quad) and Derek Newton (hamstring) and center Nick Martin (ankle) missed the game because of injuries, and right guard Jeff Allen was absent because of a death in his family. The line struggled to run block, though it looked better in protecting quarterback Brock Osweiler. Coach Bill O'Brien said Brown and Newton are "making progress" but won't be back this week. -- Sarah Barshop
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts head to practice with some injury concerns for a couple key starters as they prepare for the their third preseason game against Philadelphia on Saturday. Receiver T.Y. Hilton and cornerback Vontae Davis both sat out of the Colts' loss to Baltimore over the weekend. Hilton, a back-to-back Pro Bowler, has been dealing with a hamstring injury, and Davis, also a back-to-back Pro Bowler, injured his ankle late last week. "Vontae rolled an ankle, and it swelled up on him a little bit, so we just held him out," coach Chuck Pagano said. "T.Y. had a little bit of a hamstring [injury]. He pushed through it all last week. Even going back to the catch on the sideline where he overextended in the Buffalo game and came back and he practiced all week. It was just a little bit tender, so it wasn't worth throwing him out there." The Colts are expected to play their starters into the third quarter Saturday against the Eagles. -- Mike Wells
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are banged up on the defensive line. Roy Miller is questionable for the rest of the preseason because of a quad injury, and Sheldon Day (back), Michael Bennett (hip) and Abry Jones (quad) are dealing with injuries this week as well. Miller and Jones are nose tackles, so the Jaguars are very thin at that spot, which means a lot more work for bubble player Richard Ash, who has been productive in both preseason games. -- Mike DiRocco
Tennessee Titans
Playing too far off receivers has led Titans cornerbacks to get burned for far too long. It was an issue again Saturday in the team's second preseason game, particularly for Antwon Blake. "Even from the sideline, we're telling guys to get up there, to press," coach Mike Mularkey said. "... Looking at the tape, [we were] probably a little bit softer than we want to be. And that's been addressed." As the Titans return to work on Monday, coaches could take the issue from the meeting room to the practice field. -- Paul Kuharsky
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
The Broncos' quarterback battle will continue to drive the preseason conversation for at least another week. Trevor Siemian was more consistent overall in Saturday night's preseason loss to the 49ers, but he had an interception returned for a touchdown. With Mark Sanchez's two lost fumbles, the Broncos' top two quarterbacks have had four turnovers in the team's two preseason games. That's certainly not the ratio coach Gary Kubiak is looking for, and those turnovers are likely the biggest reasons no starter has been named yet. With the third preseason game -- the one in which starters normally play into the third quarter -- looming, the guy who cleans up that issue most quickly in practice this week, or at least shows that he understands what's happening and shows he's addressing it, could get most of the reps in the game. -- Jeff Legwold
Kansas City Chiefs
Linebacker Tamba Hali could return to practice on a limited basis this week. Hali didn't practice during the offseason or at training camp after having knee surgery. His availability is important when the regular season begins because the team's other starting outside linebacker, Justin Houston, also had knee surgery and won't be ready to play Week 1. -- Adam Teicher
Oakland Raiders
Menelik Watson is maintaining his lead over Austin Howard in the Raiders' preseason battle for the starting right tackle job. Watson tore an Achilles tendon in Oakland's third preseason game last year, and a knee injury knocked Howard out in December. "Both guys have had good camps, staying healthy. We're happy about that," Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said. "I think it's great to have Menelik back. He brings a little temperament, little athleticism to the position. Obviously, Austin filled in and did a great job for us last year. That's been a good competition." -- Paul Gutierrez
San Diego Chargers
After giving up 288 rushing yards to the Titans in the first preseason game, the Chargers held the Cardinals to just 209 total yards in a convincing win in Week 2 of exhibition play. San Diego inside linebacker Manti Te'o said the play of his team's defense against one of the favorites to represent the NFC in this year's Super Bowl is a sign of things to come. "If we play as one and we play with that intensity and that confidence, we're going to be special," Teo said. -- Eric D. Williams
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys
As the Cowboys start practicing again in Texas, Ezekiel Elliott's workload will increase. He returned to 11-on-11 action work for two days while in California but did not have any carries. With the added workload, the expectation is that Elliott will play Thursday against the Seahawks. Although the offensive linemen like to say they block the same regardless of running back, building up the timing between the backs is important. Elliott said he doesn't believe his absence from practice because of a sore hamstring has left him behind, but getting Elliott work against a run defense such as Seattle's will be good for the rookie and the line. -- Todd Archer
New York Giants
This is shaping up to be a huge week for wide receiver Victor Cruz, who will return to practice on Monday. Cruz hasn't completed a practice in two weeks because of a groin injury. Monday's session will be light for the Giants and will be focused on conditioning and correcting the many mistakes that occurred Saturday in Buffalo. It's imperative that Cruz makes it through the workout without any pain or setback. He needs to show that he can remain healthy and last the entire week through Saturday's preseason game against the Jets. It would be Cruz's first game action since October 2014. -- Jordan Raanan
Philadelphia Eagles
Wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham begins his first full week of practice with the Eagles, who are in the middle of preparations for Saturday's game at the Colts. Coach Doug Pederson has some important decisions to make when it comes to the position, with Rueben Randle, Josh Huff, Nelson Agholor, Chris Givens and now Green-Beckham all competing for snaps. Then there's surprise camp standout Paul Turner, a rookie out of Louisiana Tech whom Pederson mentions by name every chance he gets. If Turner claims a roster spot, it could mean that one of the more notable names will be on the outside looking in. -- Tim McManus
Washington Redskins
Running back Matt Jones' sprained AC joint in his left shoulder won't keep him out too long, as tests Saturday confirmed the Redskins' optimism after Friday's preseason game vs. the Jets. But the Redskins don't know exactly when Jones will return. In the meantime, rookie backups Keith Marshall and Robert Kelley have a chance to show what they can do. A Redskins source said Saturday that for now, the team isn't looking hard at backs outside the organization. If the rookies don't show enough, that could change in a few weeks. -- John Keim
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears
The depleted Bears have a much-needed day off after close to 20 players sat out Sunday's practice at Halas Hall. Running back Jeremy Langford (foot) and Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long (shoulder) were among the guys who didn't participate, though Langford is out of the walking boot he wore to Saturday night's practice. Expect the Bears to mull over their options at cornerback, where Kyle Fuller, Jacoby Glenn, De'Vante Bausby and Bryce Callahan are all nursing injuries. At this rate, the Bears might not have enough healthy bodies at cornerback to finish next Saturday's third preseason game against Kansas City. -- Jeff Dickerson
Detroit Lions
While nine players, including receiver Golden Tate, sat out a shortened, fast-paced practice Sunday, there was some potentially good news for Detroit. Tight end Eric Ebron hasn't returned to practice yet, but he was seen jogging after practiced ended, and he looked normal. He has been rehabbing an ankle injury for two weeks now. He also spent time catching passes on the Jugs machine, another sign that he might be moving closer to a return. The Lions badly need Ebron healthy, as their depth chart at the position is pretty thin. -- Michael Rothstein
Green Bay Packers
All eyes will be on No. 87 when the Packers hit the practice field Monday. It will be the first time anyone outside the organization will get an up-close look at wide receiver Jordy Nelson as he goes through a regular practice for the first time in the 364 days since he tore his ACL. Practice will likely include just the individual and position group drills, with a heavy emphasis on running routes with quarterback Aaron Rodgers; full 11-on-11 team periods are expected to be added later. "Aaron and Jordy will work as much as they possibly can on one-on-one routes and things like that," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. -- Rob Demovsky
Minnesota Vikings
After ending practice early Sunday, the Vikings moved their off-day from Tuesday to Monday, presumably because they don't have enough healthy quarterbacks to get a quality workout. The health of Teddy Bridgewater figures to be the top storyline for the Vikings all week, and neither Bridgewater nor Shaun Hill threw a pass all weekend. The Vikings were left with two QBs who haven't thrown a regular-season NFL pass, and they'll hope to get one of their established QBs back by Tuesday. -- Ben Goessling
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons got some good news from a health standpoint, with punter Matt Bosher practicing Sunday, just days after he suffered a chest injury against the Browns. Bosher was blindsided during special-teams coverage by Browns linebacker Tank Carder, but the NFL told coach Dan Quinn the hit on Bosher was legal. Moving forward, Bosher looks ready to punt in Thursday night's preseason game against the Dolphins. "It was good to see Bosh back, and he was able to do a full load today," Quinn said. Bosher's quick recovery kept the Falcons from signing veteran punter Brandon Fields following a workout. -- Vaughn McClure
Carolina Panthers
Coach Ron Rivera admitted that rookie cornerback Daryl Worley could have played better in Saturday's preseason win at Tennessee, so it'll be interesting to see if the Panthers make any adjustments in Monday's practice, with the third and pivotal preseason game against New England coming up. Veteran Robert McClain still is an option if there's any doubt that Worley is ready. Bene' Benwikere, who played well at nickel, also could be utilized. -- David Newton
New Orleans Saints
The Saints return home to finish training camp at their practice facility in Metairie, where they will need to shake off the rust from a very rough week, especially on offense. There's little reason to worry about New Orleans' offense, in general, especially with Drew Brees and the receivers playing well. But they've got to find some consistency at both guard spots. They really need second-year guard Andrus Peat to develop rapidly now that he should be practicing full-time at right guard. -- Mike Triplett
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bucs rookie kicker Roberto Aguayo missed two field goals Saturday night in Jacksonville and missed an extra point in the first preseason game against the Eagles. Coach Dirk Koetter admitted, "I don't know what's wrong with Roberto right now. Maybe there's some nerves in there, I don't know. He might be overthinking it." Koetter also said that as a head coach and offensive playcaller, he isn't really one who can help him. Koetter can, however, give Aguayo just one holder to work with, rather than rotating between two, so he can hopefully regain some consistency. -- Jenna Laine
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals
The Honey Badger is back. Safety Tyrann Mathieu returned to the practice field Sunday for the first time since he tore his ACL in Week 15 of last season. The initial plan was for Mathieu to just go through individual drills, but he didn't think that'd be enough. He participated in 11-on-11 drills with the first team and made some big hits. Mathieu said he didn't expect to do as much and feel as good as he did after his first practice. "I was real surprised," he said. "I didn't feel any pain. I didn't really get tight at all. I was surprised with where I was at, but I was also pleased with what I've been doing." -- Josh Weinfuss
Los Angeles Rams
The first two preseason games have revealed deficiencies in the Rams' secondary, a troubling sign given the departure of former No. 1 cornerback Janoris Jenkins. Dak Prescott, the Cowboys' backup quarterback, went 10-of-12 for 139 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1. The Chiefs' starter, Alex Smith, went 9-of-12 for 137 yards and a touchdown in Week 2. In the latter game, Trumaine Johnson, now the No. 1 corner, was beaten in press man-to-man coverage for a 37-yard pass play up the sideline, and Chiefs receiver Jeremy Maclin scored a 20-yard touchdown with no defenders near him. -- Alden Gonzalez
San Francisco 49ers
Monday marks the start of a pivotal week in the 49ers' quarterback competition, especially for Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick did an extensive throwing session before the second preseason game against Denver, and the Niners are hoping to have him available for practice and the third exhibition game Friday against Green Bay. His availability will be determined by how his tight right shoulder reacts to the strain of Saturday's throwing session. Coach Chip Kelly said Kaepernick felt "fine" on Sunday, but how much he participates in Monday's practice is to be determined. Blaine Gabbert played a little more than a quarter in the win over the Broncos and completed six of nine passes for 69 yards. -- Nick Wagoner
Seattle Seahawks
Running back Thomas Rawls continues to progress from offseason ankle surgery, and all indications are that he will be on the field in the opener against the Dolphins. Rawls was a full practice participant Sunday, and there's a chance that he'll see some action in the preseason. "The signs are very positive that he's going to be ready in a couple weeks to play," coach Pete Carroll said. Meanwhile, the team expects to get running back C.J. Prosise (hamstring) back on Monday. The rookie will have to make up for lost time if he wants to fill the role of the Seahawks' third-down back when the season starts. -- Sheil Kapadia