NFL Preseason Week 1: Alabama Rookie Chris Braswell Set for Buccaneers Debut

Chris Braswell will make his Tampa Bay Buccaneers debut this Saturday night as they kick off their three-game preseason schedule against the Cincinnati Bengals. The second-round draft pick from Alabama is eager to showcase his skills in his first NFL game.

"I'm focused on going out there, playing hard, being physical, and making plays to the best of my ability," Braswell shared on Tuesday.

Braswell is one of the many rookies set to hit the field this week, with a busy preseason lineup featuring two games on Thursday, three on Friday, nine on Saturday, and two on Sunday.

Despite the excitement, Braswell is keeping his approach grounded. “I’ve been playing football all my life,” he said. “I’m excited for my first NFL game, and I just want to go out there, play with my teammates, and stick to what I know.”

Selected 57th overall in the NFL Draft on April 26, Braswell joins the Buccaneers even though the team returns veteran outside linebackers Yaya Diaby and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. Initially listed as a backup to Tryon-Shoyinka, Braswell has had the opportunity to work with the first-team defense due to injuries affecting Diaby and Tryon-Shoyinka.

“I’m improving every day with play calls, game speed, and physicality,” Braswell noted. “I focus on refining my game, working on little details with coach George Edwards before practice.”

In other preseason news, the Alabama Game of the Week features the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Baltimore Ravens on Friday night, showcasing 22 players from Alabama high schools and colleges.

Several Alabama TV stations are broadcasting preseason games this month, with teams like the Buccaneers, Falcons, Jaguars, Saints, and Titans available on various in-state channels.

Week 1 Preseason Schedule (All Times Central)

Thursday

• Carolina Panthers at New England Patriots (-1.5), 6 p.m. (NFL Network)
• Detroit Lions at New York Giants (-3.5), 6 p.m.

Friday

• Atlanta Falcons (-1) at Miami Dolphins, 6 p.m. (WTVY 4.1, WBRC 6.1, WTBM 24.2, WAFF 48.3)
• Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers (-2), 6 p.m. (NFL Network)
• Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens (-3), 6:30 p.m.

Saturday

• Washington Commanders (-1) at New York Jets, 11 a.m.
• Chicago Bears at Buffalo Bills (-1), noon (NFL Network)
• Las Vegas Raiders at Minnesota Vikings (-1.5), 3 p.m. (NFL Network)
• Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns (-2.5), 3:25 p.m.
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5), 6 p.m. (WMBB 13.2)
• Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars (-1), 6 p.m. (NFL Network, WTVY 4.2, WJTC 44.1)
• San Francisco 49ers at Tennessee Titans (-3), 6 p.m. (WHNT 19.1)
• Seattle Seahawks (-1) at Los Angeles Chargers, 6:05 p.m.
• New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals (-1), 7 p.m. (WALA 10.1, WALA 10.5, WVTM 13.2)

Sunday

• Denver Broncos (-2.5) at Indianapolis Colts, noon (NFL Network)
• Dallas Cowboys (-3) at Los Angeles Rams, 3:30 p.m. (NFL Network)