Panini Instant NFL Recap: Preseason Week 2 Heavy on Rookie Flair

Written by: Connor Zimmerlee

Another week means another round of NFL preseason games. With those comes not only more looks at the thrilling 2025 rookie class, but a plethora of outstanding performances. Making matters even better, you can add some of the best outings to your collection through the newest batch of Panini Instant cards.

Starting the show is an impressive pair of performances from Miami’s Quinn Ewers and Cleveland’s Dillon Gabriel. Seeing NFL action for the second time, the Dolphins’ savvy signal-caller lit up the Lions’ defense to lead a 24-17 victory. He was consistently on point and ripping off clutch completions to the tune of 116 yards plus a pair of TDs. As for Gabriel, he earned the start against the reigning champion Eagles and looked like a seasoned veteran. Setting the tone for a 22-13 victory, the third-round pick completed 72 percent of his passes for 143 yards.

Ewers’ favorite target during his standout showing was easily Theo Wease Jr. The electric receiver proved to be too much for the Lions’ secondary to handle, snagging six passes and racking up 80 yards along with a pair of touchdowns. He wasn’t the only rookie wideout with a strong outing in the contest, as Detroit’s Isaac TeSlaa continued to dominate the preseason with four receptions for 41 yards and a score.

Joining those pass-catchers with excellent days of their own were tight ends Gunnar Helm and Colston Loveland. Taking on the Falcons, the Titans’ rookie paced his team with four receptions for 48 yards — including a highlight-reel touchdown snag through traffic in a 23-20 win. Flourishing as well, Loveland showed why he was a first-round pick during the Bears’ 38-0 rout of the Bills.

Rounding out our performance recap is a quartet of game-changing running backs. First up: Las Vegas’ Ashton Jeanty. He routinely overpowered the 49ers’ defense, muscling through contact to rack up a hard-fought 33 yards and a touchdown. Continuing his strong preseason, Patriots’ ball-carrier TreVeyon Henderson tallied 20 yards on four carries and found the end zone during a 20-12 victory over Minnesota.

Seattle’s Damien Martinez rushed for a game-high 50 yards and a touchdown during a 33-16 defeat of the Chiefs, while Denver’s RJ Harvey tallied 18 yards and a score across three carries during a 27-7 win over the Cardinals.

Each of the players mentioned above, as well as other exciting names such as Pat Bryant, Stetson Bennett IV and Kaleb Johnson, earned Panini Instant cards for their work during the second week of the preseason. These are among their first cards from in-game action, so it’s a perfect place to start or build your collection.