NFL Wrap — Week Ending Sunday 9 August 2026 · Football is back. The Hall of Fame Game kicked off the 2026 season. Ricky Pearsall out for the year for the 49ers. Kyle Shanahan in concussion protocol. And the MCG Melbourne game is now just five weeks away.
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Football is officially back. The Hall of Fame Game on Thursday 6 August was the first NFL action of 2026 — Panthers vs Cardinals in Canton, Ohio. Preseason games begin proper this week. And for Australian fans there are two major stories to track: the 49ers, playing at the MCG in five weeks, have lost their key wide receiver Ricky Pearsall for the entire season, and head coach Kyle Shanahan is in concussion protocol. The MCG game preparation is now genuinely complicated. Here’s the state of the NFL for the week ending 9 August 2026.
The MCG game stories: 49ers get injury news
Two significant developments for the San Francisco 49ers as they prepare for the Week 1 MCG Melbourne game against the Los Angeles Rams:
Ricky Pearsall out for the 2026 season. The third-year wide receiver has been ruled out for the entire year after PCL surgery. It’s an unfortunate development for one of the 49ers’ promising young receivers. San Francisco responded by signing veteran Deebo Samuel Sr., who returns to the franchise on a short-term deal. Samuel will operate alongside Mike Evans and rookie De’Zhaun Stribling in San Francisco’s receiver rotation. For the MCG game specifically, this reshapes the 49ers’ offensive plans — Kyle Shanahan will be integrating Samuel back into his scheme in a compressed timeframe.
Kyle Shanahan concussion protocol. The 49ers head coach is going through concussion protocol before being deemed fit to return to full duties, per general manager John Lynch. The expectation is that Shanahan will be recovered in time for the Week 1 opener against the Rams in Melbourne — but for a game as high-profile as the first NFL game ever in Australia, this adds another layer of uncertainty to the 49ers’ preparation.
The Hall of Fame Game — first NFL action of 2026
Thursday 6 August 2026 saw the Panthers vs Cardinals in Canton, Ohio — the traditional Hall of Fame Game that officially opens the NFL preseason. Both teams treated the game as a genuine competitive fixture with starters getting limited but meaningful reps. It’s the first NFL football since Super Bowl LX in February, and for Australian fans, marks the countdown to full football returning.
Around the league — training camp news
A busy week across all 32 NFL training camps:
- Kyler Murray on track to start for Vikings. The former Cardinals QB is now the “heavy favourite” over JJ McCarthy in Minnesota’s open QB competition. Head coach Kevin Stefanski’s decision is coming.
- Jalen Carter extended by Eagles. Philadelphia locks up their star defensive tackle to a long-term deal.
- Kyle Trask signs with Panthers. Carolina adds veteran QB depth as backup to Bryce Young.
- Malik Nabers practicing. The Giants receiver is back on the field for the first time since his torn ACL — better news than expected.
- Vita Vea wants out of Tampa Bay. The veteran DT is reportedly seeking a trade after eight seasons with the Buccaneers.
- Baker Mayfield still without a new contract. The Bucs QB heads into the season on his current deal after extension negotiations stalled.
Injury news
Weekly injury report from training camps:
- Ricky Pearsall (49ers) — season-ending PCL surgery
- Kenyon Sadiq (Jets TE) — hernia surgery setback, expected to miss time
- Kyle Shanahan — concussion protocol
- Various minor camp injuries — practices continue across the league with the usual crop of hamstring and soft-tissue issues
Countdown to Melbourne
Five weeks until the historic MCG game. Key remaining dates:
| Date (AEST) | Event |
|---|---|
| Fri 15 August | Preseason games in full swing |
| Late August | Roster cuts to 53-man |
| Thu 10 September | NFL season opener: Seahawks vs Patriots (on Channel 7) |
| Fri 11 September | 49ers vs Rams at the MCG — Channel 7 from 9:00am AEST |
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What’s next?
- Live US Sports TV Guide
- How to Watch NFL in Australia 2026 — updated with Seven Network coverage
- Previous NFL Wrap — 2 August 2026
All information accurate as of Sunday 9 August 2026 US time. All times AEST. Training camp news develops daily — ESPN and NFL.com track continuously. Mac Johannson covers US sports for Australian fans.
