Week 1 of the 2021 NFL preseason is finally here, but plenty of marquee names won’t take the field. Some of the league’s top quarterbacks have already been ruled out of their team’s first exhibition contests.

When the Green Bay Packers host the Houston Texans Saturday night, neither Aaron Rodgers nor Deshaun Watson will be under center. The New York Giants won’t play Daniel Jones against the New York Jets, according to coach Joe Judge.

Dak Prescott missed the Dallas Cowboys’ loss in the Hall of Fame Game with a shoulder injury, and he’ll sit out at least another week. Carson Wentz probably won’t make his Indianapolis Colts debut until the regular season as he recovers from foot surgery.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Rodgers probably won’t play at all in the preseason. Jordan Love is expected to see plenty of time under center as he prepares to potentially take over as Green Bay’s starting quarterback in 2022.

Between his trade request and pending legal issues, Watson might never take another snap for the Texans. Watson isn’t even expected to travel with the team in Week 1, and he’s done little on the field during training camp.

Jones is expected to see extensive playing time at some point this preseason. Entering his third season as New York’s starter, Jones’ play in 2021 could determine his future as the Giants’ franchise quarterback.

There are only three weeks in the 2021 NFL preseason as opposed to the usual four weeks because the regular-season was expanded from 16 to 17 games. The entire 2020 preseason was canceled because of the pandemic.

The NFL regular season starts on Sept. 9 when the Cowboys visit the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Aaron Rodgers says a good portion of his offseason from the NFL has been spent working on his mental health
Aaron Rodgers says a good portion of his offseason from the NFL has been spent working on his mental health GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Harry How
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