NFL preseason Week 2: Bo Nix returns to form as Fernando Mendoza faces early test
Denver’s Bo Nix shook off injury concerns with a touchdown pass, while Las Vegas’ first overall pick struggled against Houston’s defensive front.
The second week of the 2026 NFL preseason has provided early indicators for several franchises, with Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix marking his return to the field after a broken ankle. Nix, who suffered the injury in the AFC divisional round against the Buffalo Bills in January, completed six of nine passes for 76 yards and a touchdown in a 33-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers. His performance included a 35-yard gain to Jaylen Waddle and a 21-yard touchdown pass to running back RJ Harvey, suggesting a quick recovery from his time on the sidelines.
In contrast, Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, faced a challenging debut against the Houston Texans defence. Mendoza completed eight of 15 passes for 86 yards but surrendered an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown by rookie linebacker Wade Woodaz. He was also sacked for 11 yards by second-round defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, highlighting the physicality of the Texans’ front line. Mendoza acknowledged the difficulty of the play, noting that he was not on the same page with his receiver during the throw.
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling continued his strong preseason campaign, catching four of five targets for 46 yards against the Los Angeles Chargers. This performance extends his preseason total to 11 catches for 109 yards, making him the first player since at least 2017 to record at least 11 catches within the first 20 minutes of two consecutive preseason games. His consistency has positioned him as a potential early contributor for head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offence.
New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith also made a notable return, completing all seven throws on the opening drive against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Smith, acquired from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick, finished the night with 65 passing yards, including a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jelani Woods. His performance offers a glimpse of the veteran leadership he may bring to a Jets roster that finished the 2025 regular season with zero interceptions, a first in NFL history.
Other notable performances included Green Bay Packers rookie kicker Trey Smack, who successfully converted field goals of 51, 59, and 43 yards. Additionally, Jonathan Brooks scored his first NFL touchdown on a one-yard run against the Jacksonville Jaguars, marking a significant milestone for the running back who missed the entire 2025 season due to injury.
