The NFL is in its third season since the return of a rule that allows teams to designate an emergency third quarterback without using a spot on the active game-day roster.

Joe Milton ran for a touchdown and threw for a score, and the Dallas Cowboys beat the Atlanta Falcons 31-13 in the preseason finale for both teams.

CeeDee Lamb took a big hit and committed a penalty in the Dallas Cowboys’ preseason opener even though the star receiver wasn’t in uniform.

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New England Patriots leading rusher Rhamondre Stevenson was listed as active against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium after missing one game with a foot injury.

More than a dozen players transferred out of the Michigan football program this offseason, but three in particular stood out as high-profile losses.

Quarterback Alan Bowman #10 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders looks to pass during the first half of the NCAAF game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Texas Tech quarterback Alan Bowman indicated on Twitter on Sunday that he is transferring to Michigan. Bowman, who announced in January that he was entering the transfer portal as a grad transfer, wrote “Lets get to work!! He played in 19 games for Texas Tech across three seasons. Milton entered the transfer portal, and Bowman would give the Wolverines an experienced option, assuming he's able to play for them immediately.

Michigan quarterback Joe Milton throws a pass during the first quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Wisconsin in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan football quarterback Joe Milton announced Thursday that he will transfer. pic.twitter.com/PeANE2vWmD — Joe milton #5 (@Qbjayy7) February 18, 2021Milton, an impending redshirt junior, began the 2020 season as Michigan’s starting quarterback. Even though he spent three years with the Wolverines, Milton will have three years of eligibility remaining. The 2020 season didn’t count against player eligibility, and Milton also had a redshirt season.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Is the Joe Milton era over before Michigan football even got halfway through a shortened season? Milton was pulled late in the third quarter against Wisconsin with the Wolverines trailing 35-3, and backup quarterback Cade McNamara came in to lead a touchdown drive. Cade McNamara #12 of the Michigan Wolverines throws a second half past against the Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Stadium on November 14, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (2020 Getty Images)On the first play, McNamara fired a strike over the middle to Ronnie Bell for a 23-yard gain. Michigan has insisted McNamara could be a starting caliber quarterback, and he sure looked like it for four plays.

The Wolverines lost to a bad Michigan State team and were completely outclassed by Indiana. Here’s how Michigan could win or lose every single game between now and Ohio State. Even last week’s Ohio State loss was respectable, as Rutgers scored 27 points on the Buckeyes and only lost by 22. Penn StateHow Michigan could win: A one-point loss to Indiana is understandable, as is losing to Ohio State. This could be reminiscent of the 2014 night game, when a bad Michigan team beat a bad Penn State team in an ugly 18-13 battle that didn’t have any significance.

READ: Will Michigan lose to Indiana for first time in 33 years this weekend? If Michigan can take care of the ball and get the running game back on track, it will be able to score on this Indiana defense. Don Brown couldn’t manufacture any pressure against Michigan State, and that was a death knell for the entire defense. Michigan is hoping to get back some players who were injured during the Michigan State game. But the most likely outcome feels like Indiana breaking the 24-game losing streak and beating Michigan for the first time since 1987.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – There’s no sugarcoating it: Last week was a shocking, unmitigated disaster for the Michigan football program. Not only did Michigan lose to Michigan State, it also lost several players to injury during the game. READ: Will Michigan lose to Indiana for first time in 33 years this weekend? What Michigan really needs, more than anything, is to return to the field and get back in the win column. Milton wasn’t terrible against Michigan State, but he missed some throws that really could have opened up the offense.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – There are countless reasons for Michigan football fans to be discouraged after the team’s loss to Michigan State, but here are the six most alarming signs for the future. Ronnie Bell #8 of the Michigan Wolverines fails to receive a pass during the second quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. When that changed Saturday against Michigan State, Milton struggled with accuracy down the field. MORE: Can Michigan salvage season after lifeless loss to Michigan State? Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during the fourth quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Any hope for the Michigan football team to make a splash at the national level was dashed over the weekend in a loss to Michigan State. Anyone who watched Saturday’s in-state rivalry would have thought Michigan State was the team favored to win by three touchdowns. Michigan was expected to handle Michigan State well before it debuted in Minneapolis, though. Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during the fourth quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (2020 Getty Images)At this point, the only remedy that could heal the wounds opened by this weekend’s loss would be an upset against Ohio State.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – This has probably been the quietest week leading up to a Michigan vs. Michigan State football game in a decade. Comparing Michigan, Michigan State by position: Do Spartans have advantage anywhere? That’s why I’m picking Michigan to win its third straight against Michigan State this weekend. RIVALRY PREVIEW: Michigan has to avoid overlooking massive underdog Michigan StateI don’t think Michigan takes this rivalry for granted anymore, so Michigan State should have the team’s full attention. Michigan State will improve from last week, and there’s almost no chance it turns the ball over another seven times.

Here are some of the most positive takeaways from the performance, as well as a few concerns. On Ben Mason’s touchdown, Milton tossed a little dump-down pass that looked simple enough but gave Mason the corner to get to the pylon. But he also returned a kickoff 66 yards to set up a Michigan touchdown. Michigan didn’t necessarily get better at wide receiver by losing Nico Collins and Donovan Peoples-Jones, but this year’s group has a different look, and it might end up being a net positive. Like Nordin, Hill is expected to return to practice this week after he was removed from the Minnesota game with an undisclosed injury.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The debut of the 2020 Michigan football team was certainly worth the wait Saturday, as it went into Minneapolis and dominated No. Since Harbaugh returned to Ann Arbor in 2015, Michigan has dominated too many good teams to count on one hand. Sept. 26, 2015: Michigan beats No. Oct. 10, 2015: Michigan beats No. There’s still a long road ahead for this Michigan team.

Michigan and Minnesota haven’t met since 2017, when the Wolverines walloped the Golden Gophers in a weather-delayed, soaking wet night game. Well, I’m about to break down four well-thought-out reasons why Michigan will lose to Minnesota, then I’m going to pick Michigan to win anyway. It’s like Minnesota picked up a “Michigan letdown game” appetizer menu and ordered an entire sampler platter. Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. At times last season, Michigan struggled to get pressure on the quarterback.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – There are 25 players on the Michigan football roster who received scholarship offers from Minnesota during their recruiting processes. TE Erick AllRecruiting profile: 4-star, No. OL Karsen BarnhartRecruiting profile: 4-star, No. HenningRecruiting profile: 4-star, No. DL Luiji VilainRecruiting profile: 4-star, No.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Joe Milton or Cade McNamara: Who will start at quarterback for Michigan football this weekend? Jim Harbaugh avoided making it official ahead of the opener vs. Minnesota. “He’s playing extremely well.”Most people around the program expect Milton to be Michigan’s starter. LATEST: Michigan vs. Michigan State will kick off at noon on Halloween“Jim, just to clarify, are you saying Joe is going to start at quarterback on Saturday?” Harbaugh was asked during Monday’s press conference. From the outside, McNamara hasn’t been considered a serious contender for the starting job, but Harbaugh has surprised fans at the quarterback position before.

TRANSFER NEWS: Charles Thomas enters transfer portal as future linebacker room gets crowded“They have been through a lot,” Harbaugh said. I feel really good about them in terms of competitiveness, and oneness -- probably the most important thing. “A lot of really good leaders, a lot of guys who are really invested and a lot of guys who really like each other,” Harbaugh said. “(Nordin)'s in a real competitive battle with (Jake) Moody, who’s also doing a really good job, so it’s still playing out,” Harbaugh said. I feel the talent is really good, and I think they’ll all eventually see action, but those are really tight battles."

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Which pair of Michigan football players who share a jersey number will unite to be the most valuable this season? This year’s roster, with the new rule in place, has 45 duos who will wear the same jersey number. Some of the Michigan jersey number duos contain players who will contribute on different sides of the ball. 1: Both players must wear a jersey number for the entire season for their stats to qualify in favor of said jersey number. Other eligible duosHere are all the other jersey number duos listed on the 2020 Michigan football roster, as of Oct. 16.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The 2020 Michigan football season will kick off with a top 25 matchup under the lights. 24 Minnesota will begin at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Minnesota is one of four ranked teams on Michigan’s eight-game regular season schedule. One week after the opener against Minnesota, Jim Harbaugh’s team will host in-state rival Michigan State on Halloween. More Michigan football storiesPredictions:Lists:Player profiles:

In 2019, Michigan got major contributions from true freshmen Daxton Hill, Zach Charbonnet and Giles Jackson. 102 overall player, No. 123 overall player, No. Cornerback is a difficult position to play as a true freshman, but Michigan has a great need there this season. 484 overall player, No.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – How is Michigan football a top 20 team in the country without playing a single game? Of those 70 appearances, Michigan has been ranked in the top 20 a total of 73 times and the top 10 a total of 33 times. It’s littered with the biggest brands in college football, including Texas, Texas A&M, USC, Tennessee and the other obvious powerhouses. Since then, Texas, Texas A&M, UCF, Mississippi State and Oklahoma have all dropped below Michigan because of upset losses. Having two reliable pass rushers on the edges obviously helps Michigan’s defensive perception, even if there might be a weakness in between them.

As a potential first-round draft pick, Mayfield certainly belongs in Michigan’s MVP conversation, even though he won’t stuff any stat sheets as an O-lineman. Even if he doesn’t ultimately win team MVP, Mayfield could end up being the most important player. LB Cam McGroneCameron McGrone #44 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates a fourth quarter sack against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Michigan Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. DE Kwity PayeKwity Paye #19 of the Michigan Wolverines tries to sack Peyton Ramsey #12 of the Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Then they would both be candidates for team MVP.

If that loss is to Ohio State, Michigan would still have a rivalry win against Michigan State and three excellent wins against Minnesota, Wisconsin and Penn State. To get to Indy with two losses, Michigan would probably have to beat both Ohio State and Penn State. Penn State would have to beat Ohio State and lose another game, giving Michigan the head-to-head tiebreaker with both. Penn State, Michigan State and Wisconsin have had some really good quarterbacks the past decade. If it takes a couple bumps in the road during the 2020 season to buck that trend, so be it.

The Michigan Football Offseason Hype Train is standing room only, and it has a whole month to pick up speed. Like Isaac Newton said: When Michigan football hype is in motion, it stays in motion unless acted upon by a Buckeye, Badger or Nittany Lion. Joe Milton #5 of the Michigan Wolverines scores a fourth quarter touchdown while playing the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. If he’s the quarterback who pushes Michigan football over the hump, celebrate him as Maize and Blue confetti rains from the rafters in Indianapolis. Let’s take a step back and let Joe Milton be Joe Milton.

Wide receiver attritionIt looks like the Wolverines will be without three of their top four wide receivers from a year ago. That trio, which highlighted the team’s top-five 2017 recruiting class, combined for 96 catches, 1,490 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns last season. So what would the receiving corps look like if Collins isn’t in the picture? NewcomersNo matter who comes and goes, Michigan is always going to bring in new playmakers at the wide receiver position. They don’t all need to be better than Collins, Peoples-Jones and Black.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan football team have fought for a season since the moment the Big Ten announced football would be postponed. Michigan put a beating on Michigan State for the first time in a long time last year, dropping 44 points on the Spartans and running them out of Ann Arbor. Michigan outplayed Penn State on the road last season, a year after smacking the Nittany Lions by 35 points in Ann Arbor. Probably not a lot, but if Milton can be at least as good as Shea Patterson was last season, Michigan should be the favorite at home. Unless Milton emerges as a Heisman-level quarterback in his first season, Michigan probably won’t be competitive in this game.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Here is the new eight-game schedule for Michigan football as the Big Ten prepares to start its 2020 season in late October. Oct. 24: at MinnesotaOct. 31: vs. Michigan StateNov. 7: at IndianaNov. 14: vs. WisconsinNov. 21: at RutgersNov. 28: vs. Penn StateDec. 5: vs. MarylandDec. 12: at Ohio StateThe Wolverines are scheduled to begin the season Oct. 24 at Minnesota, which won 11 games last season. Michigan will play all six of its fellow East Division foes: Ohio State, Michigan State, Penn State, Indiana, Maryland and Rutgers. Michigan’s 12-game schedule was originally cut down to 10 conference games, but that schedule lasted just six days before the conference postponed the season. Jim Harbaugh was among the most outspoken coaches in the country, publicly disagreeing with the decision to postpone football.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – What in the world is Michigan football going to look like next month? What does Michigan football look like without 100,000 fans in the Big House, or the Ohio State game on Thanksgiving weekend? But even beyond all the things that have made college football such an unusual topic this year, we really don’t know much about the actual Michigan football team. Joe Milton warms up before Michigan's game against Western Michigan at Michigan Stadium on Sept. 8, 2018, in Ann Arbor. Assuming the six East Division opponents -- Ohio State, Michigan State, Penn State, Indiana, Maryland and Rutgers -- are all on Michigan’s schedule, that leaves two open spots for crossover games.