Eagles and Ravens to Field Reserves in Preseason Opener Amid Coaching Transitions

The Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens are set to meet at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday, 15 August 2026, for the opening game of the NFL preseason. The contest, which commences at 7 p.m. local time, will be broadcast locally on NBC 10, with Ross Tucker and Scott Graham providing commentary from the booth and Dave Spadaro reporting from the sidelines.

Both organisations are expected to prioritise roster evaluation over competitive results, with established starters likely to remain on the sidelines. For the Eagles, this means veteran quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Saquon Barkley, and wide receiver DeVonta Smith will not feature. Similarly, the Ravens are anticipated to hold back their primary offensive weapons, including quarterback Lamar Jackson, running back Derrick Henry, and wide receiver Zay Flowers.

The Eagles’ decision to rest their core players provides a platform for new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion to implement fresh tactical concepts developed during training camp. The focus will shift to backup players and young contenders vying for final roster spots, offering a glimpse into how the new offensive structure functions under game conditions.

On the other side, the Ravens are undergoing their first head coaching change since 2008, with Jesse Minter taking over from John Harbaugh. The preseason opener serves as an initial test for Minter’s leadership, allowing him to assess the depth chart and integrate his coaching philosophy with the squad’s existing personnel.

The Delaware News Journal is providing live updates, scores, and highlights from the event. Following this opener, the Eagles’ preseason schedule continues with a match against the New England Patriots on 22 August and a home game against the Cincinnati Bengals on 28 August. The regular season is scheduled to begin on 13 September with a home fixture against the Washington Commanders.