Back to football, indeed. Five more preseason games Friday night after five last night. Veterans returning to action, rookies having their first taste of NFL games. This is what we’ve been waiting to see. Take a look at the entire preseason schedule, and don’t forget to watch all the action on NFL Network.

Seahawks starting left tackle Russell Okung didn’t make it through the first quarter of his team’s opening preseason game against the Chargers on Thursday night before running into more injury problems.

A very candid moment occurred on air Thursday night between Patriots owner Robert Kraft and NFL Network guest analyst Heath Evans prior to the New England-Jacksonville exhibition.

Patriots QB Tom Brady isn’t expected to take part in Thursday night’s preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium, according to the team.

The Broncos’ quarterback battle will be in full effect in Thursday night’s preseason opener against the Cowboys.

Dave and Rank welcome in Scouts, Inc & ESPN.com’s Matt Williamson (@williamsonNFL) to answer the pressing issues of the preseason, including: can Tim Tebow become a legit NFL starter?; can Felix Jones carry to the load in Dallas?; can Matt Cassel lead a talented Chiefs team to the Super Bowl; can Joe Flacco step up?; can first-round busts like Matt Leinart and Brady Quinn resurrect their careers; and what is the best deli meat?  The fellas also review their less-than-stellar trip to the Pro Football Hall of Fame with new (interim) producer, Necktie Dye; plus, a discussion of what the best matchup for the first regular season game would be. Subscribe to the Dave Dameshek Football Program on iTunes

Hide the women and children. Based on NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks’ training camp report on the Raiders in our most recent Cover Two Podcast, the fans of the Silver & Black might get a little worked up.

It’s 27 days until the start of the 2011 NFL season. And 27 was the average pass attempts per game last season for Bears QB Jay Cutler. Not only was that a career low for Cutler, but it’s the lowest such number for a starting QB under passing guru Mike Martz, Chicago’s offensive coordinator.

The Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to terms with WR Jerricho Cotchery on Thursday, according to a league source.

Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin was supposed to be a potential breakout star in fantasy land. But a mysterious illness is causing some real concern.

Former Browns DE/LB Matt Roth has agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with the Jaguars, according to a league source.

Steve Smith has left New York for greener pastures — Eagles green, that is. Smith’s signing means Giants-Eagles will join other NFL contests that feature high-profile homecomings this season, including Shaun Ellis lining up against the New York Jets in a Patriots uniform, and Pats DE Albert Haynesworth getting a crack at his old coach Mike Shanahan when New England visits Washington on Dec. 11. We asked our panel of experts which 2011 “revenge game” they’re looking forward to most in the latest Instant Debate. Look for that later today on NFL.com