The 2026 NFL preseason kicks off with the Pro Football Hall of Game on Aug. 6 and then three weeks of preseason action to follow, but there are a handful of prominent players who are still not practicing because of their contract situations.
The start of NFL training camps brought these negotiations to a head. Players can hold out and stay away from camp until their financial situations are addressed, or they can hold in, where they report to camp to avoid fines but skip practice while waiting for a new contract. We're tracking the important hold-ins across the league, with updates from our NFL Nation writers on each situation.
The list of stars not practicing includes Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea and Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu. New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave had been a minor hold-in, participating in position drills and walk-throughs only at training camp, until Thursday afternoon when the team confirmed it was signing Olave to a four-year extension.
Which player will be next in resolving their contract dispute? Are any of these four willing to miss games once the season begins? Let's examine each situation.
Jump to: Gibbs | Robinson | Vea | Tuipulotu
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
Status: Holding in, seeking a new contract
July 30 update: The running back missed his second straight day of practice Thursday as the apparent hold-in continues until he reaches a new contract extension. Lions coach Dan Campbell addressed the situation ahead of Thursday's practice, saying that he is "not even sweating it" as both sides are working to secure a long-term deal. Gibbs did complete a conditioning test Wednesday in which Campbell said he "had a little bit of a back" issue, so it's unclear if Gibbs will start practicing right away once he inks a new deal. -- Eric Woodyard, Lions reporter
Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
July 30 update: Robinson was a hold-in for a second straight practice Thursday. Like Wednesday, the team's first practice of training camp, Robinson was present on the field, chatting with teammates and seemingly in good spirits. He wore a Falcons jersey but had no helmet or cleats. Robinson and the Falcons have not commented on the situation, though coach Kevin Stefanski is likely to address it Friday morning. -- Marc Raimondi, Falcons reporter