Tennessee Professional Athletes

Two Tennessee alumni are dominating the preseason conversation for very different reasons — one is playing his way into a roster spot, the other just lost his.

Joe Milton Is Making Dallas Believe

When the Cowboys drafted Joe Milton in 2024, the conversation began and ended with his arm. A cannon, sure — but the kind of raw talent that makes scouts nervous. Two preseason games into 2026, that narrative is being rewritten in real time.

Milton capped a dominant preseason week by throwing for 179 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score in Dallas's 34–13 win over the Arizona Cardinals — a performance that prompted Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer to offer "really high level" praise, specifically noting how much Milton's command of the position has grown beyond his physical gifts. Schottenheimer has been explicit: NFL quarterbacks are more than "carnival" arm strength, and Milton, he suggested, is starting to prove that point.

The former Vol followed that up with another strong outing in the preseason finale against the Saints, giving him back-to-back showings that have legitimately complicated the Cowboys' backup QB decision behind Dak Prescott. CBS Sports noted that two strong outings have measurably strengthened Milton's case for the No. 2 job. The competition, per Pro Football Talk, is still "long from over" — but the trajectory is unmistakably in Milton's favor.

For Tennessee fans who remember Milton's electric but uneven career in Knoxville, watching him develop into a credible NFL backup candidate is one of this preseason's better stories.

Cedric Tillman Gets His Walking Papers in Cleveland

There's no soft way to put it: Cedric Tillman's tenure with the Cleveland Browns is over.

The Browns released the former third-round pick ahead of roster cutdown day, parting ways with a player who never quite found consistent footing in Cleveland despite the investment his draft slot implied. Multiple reports confirmed the move, with ESPN's Adam Schefter first breaking the news. The Browns, clearing room ahead of the 53-man deadline, opted not to retain Tillman as younger and newer investments took priority at the receiver position.

Tillman, selected in the third round out of Tennessee, finishes his Browns stint without having established himself as a reliable contributor. He now hits the open market as a 25-year-old with starting pedigree from his Vol days and the athleticism that made him a draft-day pick — factors that should generate interest from teams looking for cheap wide receiver depth.

The Sporting News identified several potential landing spots, and given Tillman's draft pedigree, it's reasonable to expect he'll draw calls quickly. But clearing waivers first will be the immediate hurdle.

Also Watching: Derek Barnett Back in Cleveland, Darnell Wright's Elbow

Two other Vols merit a mention. Derek Barnett quietly returned to the Browns' roster after Cleveland placed defensive end Alex Wright on IR with an Achilles tear — a low-profile but tangible opportunity for the veteran edge rusher to extend his career. Meanwhile, Bears right tackle Darnell Wright left practice early with a possible elbow injury, a situation Chicago will be monitoring closely as the regular season approaches.

Tennessee alumni don't do slow news weeks. In a seven-day stretch, a Vol running back went down with a significant knee injury, a Vol pass rusher came out of retirement, and a Vol quarterback made a real push for an NFL roster spot. Three storylines, three different cities — all orange.

Kamara's Season Already in Jeopardy

The worst news first: Alvin Kamara, entering his 10th NFL season with New Orleans, will miss at least a month after spraining his MCL during a joint practice with the Cowboys. The injury is expected to sideline him through Week 1 — only the second time in his career he'll miss an opener. For a Saints offense already carrying injury concerns heading into the fall, losing their starting running back in August is a gut punch. Kamara returned to New Orleans this offseason on what amounts to a farewell tour for one of the franchise's most beloved players. This is not how it was supposed to start.

Za'Darius Smith Un-Retires for Atlanta

Meanwhile in Atlanta, another Vol was busy reversing course. Za'Darius Smith, who retired five games into last season, is back in the NFL — signing with the Falcons after the team was hit by a double-shot of pass-rush attrition: rookie Jalon Walker lost for the season and fellow Tennessee alum James Pearce Jr. suspended for eight games. Smith, a former All-Pro with 70.5 career sacks, fills a suddenly urgent need. Atlanta head coach Kevin Stefanski, who previously worked with Smith, didn't have to do much convincing. The Falcons needed an edge rusher with a pulse and a résumé. Smith fits both criteria. Whether he can return to something close to his best form after stepping away remains to be seen, but Atlanta clearly felt the risk was worth taking — and the move keeps Tennessee's footprint on that roster massive, with Pearce Jr., Wanya Morris, and Micah Abernathy also in the mix.

Milton Turns Heads in Dallas

The most upbeat Vol story of the week comes from Dallas, where Joe Milton III is making a legitimate case in the Cowboys' backup quarterback competition. In Dallas' preseason win over Seattle, Milton and Sam Howell both posted efficient, turnover-free performances — and at least one report suggested Milton may have edged ahead in the race for the QB2 role behind Dak Prescott. A highlight-reel moment punctuated his audition: Milton dropped a teardrop pass into the end zone that wide receiver Camden Brown hauled in with a one-handed grab that will live on social media for a while. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer acknowledged both quarterbacks impressed, but the buzz after the game leaned Milton's way. For a Tennessee quarterback who has spent years on the fringes of rosters, this is the clearest shot he's had at a legitimate NFL role.

Elsewhere in the Vol NFL universe, Packers cornerback-turned-safety Kamal Hadden continued to draw praise in Green Bay's preseason, with reports indicating he's overtaken competition in the slot and is trending toward a roster spot. And Lions backup RB Jabari Small appeared on Detroit's injury report following their preseason game against Washington, though the severity of his situation was not immediately clear.

James Pearce Jr. Hits the Shelf — Hard

The biggest story out of the Tennessee alumni network this week wasn't about a touchdown or a training camp battle. It was a suspension.

The NFL announced Friday that Atlanta Falcons edge rusher and former Vol James Pearce Jr. will miss the first eight games of the 2026 regular season for violating the league's personal conduct policy. The punishment stems from Pearce's February arrest related to a domestic dispute — later reported to involve WNBA player Rickea Jackson. The league's ruling makes Pearce the hardest-hit player among four suspensions handed down before the preseason slate got underway.

For a Falcons team already navigating the first year of the Kevin Stefanski era, losing their reigning sack leader for half a season is a significant blow. Stefanski addressed the suspension publicly Friday night, though his options to absorb the loss on the edge are limited. Pearce, just a second-year pro, was supposed to anchor Atlanta's pass rush in 2026. Now the Falcons are searching for answers through at least Week 8.

The suspension is the kind of off-field distraction that can define a young player's early career. Pearce — a top edge prospect out of Knoxville — had built genuine momentum after his rookie season. How he returns from this absence, both reputationally and on the field, will be one of the more closely watched stories of the second half of the season.

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Cade Mays Dealing with Injury in Detroit

Meanwhile in Detroit, another former Vol is drawing attention for the wrong reasons. Lions center Cade Mays suffered an injury during training camp that has raised questions about his availability heading into the regular season. Head coach Dan Campbell addressed the situation publicly, but timelines remain uncertain.

The injury opens a real roster question for Detroit's offensive line. Multiple reports this week examined whether the Lions need to look outside the organization for center depth — a position Mays was projected to start. Lions brass will need to make a decision before the regular season opens, with internal options and potential trade targets both on the table.

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Dobbs in Detroit, Not Forgetting New England

Joshua Dobbs is also in the mix in Detroit, having landed with the Lions as a backup quarterback. But the former Vol didn't arrive quietly. Dobbs spoke out this week about his departure from New England, calling the way the Patriots handled his exit "very frustrating." He's now settled into his role as Jared Goff's backup — and made clear he's happy to be in Detroit, even if the path there left a sour taste.

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Around the Rest of the Vol Nation

Elsewhere in the alumni tracker: Alontae Taylor is in the mix for the Titans' revamped cornerback room after Tennessee overhauled the position group this offseason. Taylor is ranked at the top of the depth chart in at least one projection — a promising sign for the returning Vol in Nashville.

And out in Los Angeles, Rams linebacker Byron Young is pressing the organization for a new contract. Young wants a long-term deal as the Rams sort through their own roster decisions. His leverage and timeline will be worth watching as the preseason progresses.

Darnell Wright Rewrites the Right Tackle Market

Tennessee's most consequential NFL story of the week isn't close. Darnell Wright, the Bears' right tackle and 2023 first-round pick, agreed to a four-year, $116 million extension with $93 million in guaranteed money — making him the highest-paid right tackle in NFL history. The deal, finalized during Chicago's training camp, underscores how quickly Wright has ascended from Vol to cornerstone. Chicago's calculus is straightforward: protecting Caleb Williams is a franchise-defining priority, and Wright is the man anchoring that equation on the right. For Tennessee fans, this is what a top-10 pick cashing in looks like.

Princeton Fant's Season Is Over Before It Started

The week's sharpest gut-punch belongs to Cowboys tight end Princeton Fant. The former Vol was carted off from Monday's practice with an apparent left knee injury and was subsequently confirmed to have torn his ACL, ending his 2026 season before a regular-season snap. Dallas wasted little time responding, claiming tight end Zack Kuntz off waivers to fill the roster spot. Fant's injury is a significant blow to both the Cowboys' depth chart and his own development trajectory.

Other Vols: Castles Resurfaces in Green Bay, Hyatt on the Bubble in New York

McCallan Castles, listed as a linebacker on Tennessee's alumni sheet but signed by the Packers at tight end, is back in Green Bay after being released ahead of the draft. The Packers signed Castles alongside Drew Biber to bolster their tight end room, waiving Luke Lachey and RJ Maryland to make room. It's a second-chance opportunity in a familiar system for the former Vol.

In East Rutherford, Jalin Hyatt is fighting to stay relevant on the Giants' roster. Reports indicate the third-round pick is showing promise in a new role during training camp, but he remains firmly on the wrong side of the roster bubble — and trade speculation involving Hyatt is already circulating, with the 49ers floated as a potential destination. The Giants' patience with the speedster appears finite.

Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer, meanwhile, is drawing quiet optimism heading into camp. An upgraded Buffalo receiving corps could create more favorable looks for Palmer, who figures to benefit from the volume and scheme working in his favor in 2026. No splashy headlines, but a name worth watching as the preseason unfolds.

The week belonged to Wright — and it wasn't particularly close. A generational contract for a player who has quickly become a cornerstone of Chicago's offensive line is a statement of belief from the front office. For the Tennessee faithful, it's proof that the Vols' offensive line pipeline is as real as advertised.