What happened: C.J. Stroud led a touchdown drive in his first preseason action of 2026. He played one series on Aug. 20.
Why it matters: Championship-level expectations raise the stakes for his upcoming campaign. A season-ending ACL injury to a receiver who shared the team lead with six touchdowns thins his supporting cast.
By the numbers: Stroud completed 4 of 6 passes for 27 yards and a 76.4 passer rating in the preseason appearance.
What to watch: His workload and efficiency in the opening weeks will provide the first meaningful benchmarks.