A long list of former Nittany Lions returned to game action last weekend, representing their respective teams during the opening week of the 2026 NFL preseason.
A handful of rookies impressed during their professional debuts, including Drew Allar and Kaytron Allen, while others struggled to catch on initially.
Veterans also looked to make their mark, some with new teams, as they battled for spots on 53-man rosters. Here’s a recap of the action.
Drew Allar, quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers
Allar hadn’t seen game action since getting injured against Northwestern last October, but he earned plenty of playing time in the second half on Thursday night.
Despite being the third quarterback to enter the game, he stole the show with an efficient night, including three total touchdowns: two through the air and one on the ground.
He completed 10 of 13 passes for 153 yards and produced three unanswered scoring drives that powered Pittsburgh from down 9-7 to a 28-9 victory over the Green Bay Packers.
Kaytron Allen, running back, Washington Commanders
Allen got his first NFL touches on Friday night against the Miami Dolphins, toting the rock 23 times for 85 yards and a touchdown. He also caught one pass for a yard.
The former Nittany Lion led the team in carries and became the first running back in the last decade to rush 20+ times in a preseason game with no negative plays.
Nick Singleton, running back, Tennessee Titans
Allen’s four-year partner at Penn State, Singleton also saw a heavy workload in the opening week of preseason action.
Singleton recorded eight touches for 31 yards with a long of eight, leading the team in rushing attempts in a win over San Francisco on Thursday.
Zakee Wheatley, safety, Carolina Panthers
After a strong showing in the Hall of Fame Game a week prior, Wheatley once again impressed, leading the Panthers in tackles for the second consecutive game, a Carolina loss to Buffalo.
On Saturday, Wheatley recorded seven takedowns, including three solo, once again showing his ranginess in the defensive backfield.
Trebor Peña, wide receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars
Peña contributed in multiple ways during his preseason debut. The undrafted free agent hauled in three receptions to lead the team with 58 yards and added an 8-yard carry and 8-yard punt return in a Jacksonville win against New Orleans.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith, wide receiver, Los Angeles Chargers
Lambert-Smith is still attempting to carve out a role with the Chargers, who drafted him in the fifth round in 2025 following one season at Auburn and four with the Nittany Lions.
In a preseason win against the Houston Texans, Lambert-Smith hauled in four receptions on six targets for 58 yards, adding a 28-yard kick return.
Devonte Ross, wide receiver, Los Angeles Chargers
Another former Nittany Lion within Los Angeles’ wide receiver room, Ross recorded two catches for 14 yards, including his first professional touchdown.
Ross is battling for a role on the 53-man roster after being signed as an undrafted free agent this offseason following his lone season in Happy Valley.
Sean Clifford, quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals
After three seasons with the Green Bay Packers, Clifford signed with the Bengals in January. He has an uphill battle ahead, with Joe Burrow, Joe Flacco and Josh Johnson all sitting ahead of him on the depth chart.
He saw limited action on Thursday night against Detroit, completing just one of three pass attempts for 2 yards.
Will Levis, quarterback, Tennessee Titans
Levis, who lost out on a quarterback battle to Clifford in 2020 before transferring to Kentucky, is still battling for position within the Titans’ quarterback room.
His performance against the 49ers on Thursday was subpar, completing just three of eight passes for 42 yards. He also took three sacks for a loss of 27 yards.
Jaylen Reed, safety, Houston Texans
Reed’s rookie season was derailed by a long-term injury, but he showed flashes when healthy. This year, he’s looking to carve out a larger role, and his preseason showing on Friday against the Chargers helped that case.
Reed totaled five tackles, including three solo, and one pass breakup before leaving the game during the third quarter. He was the team’s leading tackler before being subbed out.
Curtis Jacobs, linebacker, Washington Commanders
After playing for the DC Defenders in the UFL this spring, Jacobs earned his way back onto an NFL roster, remaining in the nation’s capital with Washington.
His Commanders’ debut featured a three-tackle performance as he battles to prove himself before roster cuts.
Other results:
Abdul Carter, defensive end, New York Giants: one tackle
Nick Dawkins, offensive line, Baltimore Ravens: One quarterback hit allowed on 14 snaps (five in pass protection)
Dom DeLuca, linebacker, Baltimore Ravens: Three tackles on 28 snaps, one 6-yard reception allowed
Zane Durant, defensive tackle, Buffalo Bills: one tackle
Omari Evans, wide receiver, Kansas City Chiefs: one kick return for 24 yards, no catches on two targets
Pat Freiermuth, tight end, Pittsburgh Steelers: one catch, 2 yards
Blake Gillikin, punter, Arizona Cardinals: two punts, 51.5 yard average
Vega Ioane, guard, Baltimore Ravens: Two pressures allowed on 15 snaps (10 in pass protection)
Coziah Izzard, defensive tackle, Cleveland Browns: one tackle
Theo Johnson, tight end New York Giants: one catch, 6 yards
Jalen Kimber, Cornerback, Cincinnati Bengals: two tackles, one solo
Kalen King, cornerback, Arizona Cardinals: one tackle
Jesse Luketa, linebacker, New England Patriots: one quarterback hit
Malik McClain, wide receiver, New York Jets: one reception for 8 yards
Hunter Nourzad, center, Kansas City Chiefs: Highest graded offensive player on the team by PFF. No pressures allowed on 47 snaps (27 in pass protection)
Amani Oruwariye, cornerback, Baltimore Ravens: One tackle
Chop Robinson, defensive end, Miami Dolphins: six snaps, one QB pressure, highest PFF grade on the team
Nick Scott, safety, Carolina Panthers: two tackles
Drew Shelton, offensive tackle, Dallas Cowboys: Two quarterback hits and one hurry allowed on 45 snaps (25 in pass protection)
Jordan Stout, punter, New York Giants: six punts, 48.7 average yards
Jordan van den Berg, defensive tackle, Chicago Bears: one tackle, one quarterback hit
Caedan Wallace, offensive tackle, Miami Dolphins: 17 snaps, no QB pressures, highest PFF grade on the offense
Harrison Wallace III, wide receiver, Arizona Cardinals: one reception for 9 yards
Kevin Winston Jr., safety, Tennessee Titans: one tackle for loss
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