2025 NFL preseason, Week 3: What We Learned from Steelers-Panthers, Patriots-Giants

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Grant Gordon's takeaways:

1. First look at veteran CB additions. Cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay -- with a combined 13 Pro Bowls -- saw their initial action in Steelers uniforms, not to mention their first preseason run in a long time. Ramsey, playing in the preseason for the first time since he was with the Jaguars in 2019, was all around the ball. In seven snaps, he tallied three tackles, rushed the passer twice, had a run stuff and allowed a 3-yard reception to Hunter Renfrow the only time he was targeted. Ramsey’s best and worst play was likely stopping Travis Etienne for a 3-yard loss that earned him an unsportsmanlike penalty. As for Slay, who took the preseason field for the first time since 2022 with the Eagles, he had one tackle and wasn’t targeted. There are plenty of new faces on Pittsburgh this year and two of the team's most pivotal adds offered a first glimpse in Thursday’s preseason finale. It wasn’t enough of a sample size to truly gauge what lies ahead, but seeing both looking good in their limited time should whet the appetite for the regular season.
2. Renfrow makes final argument in comeback attempt. As the spring became summer, Hunter Renfrow was a feel-good story who garnered plenty of positive early reports. Aiming to return to a 53-man roster after he missed the 2024 season dealing with an autoimmune disease, Renfrow’s final audition for a spot with the Panthers saw him play 26 snaps and haul in two catches for 5 yards on three targets and 13 routes run. It wasn’t the jump-off-the-page output you’d like to see, but Renfrow played with third-string quarterback Jack Plummer and a string of Carolina reserves likely battling for jobs just as he is. His hands are still there, but it’s clear he’s not the 2021 Pro Bowler who produced a 1,000-yard season for the Raiders, anymore. His mysterious decline began in 2022 and continued in 2023 as Raiders coaching regimes came and went like a big fella at a Las Vegas buffet. Of note, veteran wide receiver David Moore logged 29 offensive snaps with no receptions and one target, which was intercepted. It could come down to Renfrow and Moore for a spot on cutdown day. 

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• READ: Giants rookie QB Dart caps preseason with 3rd TD pass in as many games

Bobby Kownack's takeaways:

1. Carter, Skattebo give quick preview. New York’s first-round pass rusher saw his most limited work of the preseason, logging just three snaps. It wasn’t much to evaluate, but Abdul Carter still made his impact known -- plus, he didn’t endure any viral chip blocks he’ll have to answer for. On the field during two passing plays, Carter delivered one pressure, a stunt in which he breezed by Sidy Sow and forced Ben Wooldridge into throwing well short of the chains on third down. Rookie running back Cam Skattebo, meanwhile, returned from a hamstring injury that robbed him of a good portion of camp to line up for 10 plays against the Pats. All three of his carries went for four yards apiece, and outside of a stumble on his first tote, he ran hard to gain every bit he could. Most importantly, though, the rookie runner looked no worse for wear, which bodes well for him entering the regular season with a clean bill of health.
2. Dugger possibly played his last snaps as a Patriot. New England raised some eyebrows by demoting safety Kyle Dugger to second-team work in practice this August, then followed that up with giving him 41 snaps against reserves in last week’s preseason game against the Vikings, tied for most of any Patriots defender. He took the field late again in the team’s preseason finale, waiting until the fifth defensive possession -- and that’s with New England already playing a slew of backups. Outside of badly overcommitting on the back end of a 41-yard screen pass that went for six, Dugger was noticeably better than most around him. He laid several thumping tackles, allowed just one catch for 2 yards on four targets, and even collected a freebie interception. To point out the obvious, though, a player who signed a four-year extension just 16 months ago should look leagues beyond those playing at this point of preseason. Now the question is whether he’s done enough to continue playing for New England under that deal.