NFL hold-ins include Jahmyr Gibbs

ESPN reported on Thursday that Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea and Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu were among the NFL players still classified as hold-ins as the preseason opened. ESPN’s hold-in tracker said the players were present with their teams but not fully practicing because of contract situations. The update came on Aug. 6, the day of the Hall of Fame Game that opens the 2026 preseason. ESPN said the list also included Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. ### What is a hold-in, and why are teams seeing them now? ESPN described a hold-in as a player remaining with his team during camp while not fully participating in practices amid contract negotiations. That approach differs from a traditional holdout, in which a player stays away from camp altogether. As preseason games begin, the setup lets players avoid daily practice exposure while staying in the building and around coaches and teammates. (espn.com) Thursday’s timing matters because the preseason starts with Carolina facing Arizona in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 6. ESPN’s tracker framed the hold-ins as one of the league-wide storylines entering the opening week of exhibition games. ### Why is Jahmyr Gibbs on the list? Jahmyr Gibbs opened Lions camp on the sideline and has not practiced while awaiting a new contract, according to ESPN and Lions Wire. (espn.com) ESPN separately reported Thursday that Falcons running back Bijan Robinson said he had spoken with Gibbs during their parallel negotiations and that the two told each other to “hang in there.” On Aug. 4, Lions Wire reported that Gibbs was asked when he might return and replied, “Only time will tell.” ESPN’s hold-in tracker listed him among the most prominent players still not fully practicing as of Thursday. ### What is happening with Vita Vea in Tampa Bay? Vita Vea was listed by ESPN on Thursday as a Buccaneers hold-in entering the preseason. (espn.com) Todd Bowles said he was “not concerned” about Vea’s situation, according to reports published Aug. 5 and Aug. 6, while Vea remained out of full on-field work. Reports around Vea’s case have included both contract tension and a physical issue. (lionswire.usatoday.com) USA Today’s FTW said a tweaked back and an unofficial hold-in were both factors, while other reports said Vea is in the final year of his deal and has sought a trade. ESPN’s tracker identified him as one of the unresolved camp cases as of Aug. 6. (espn.com) ### How are the Chargers handling Tuli Tuipulotu’s situation? Tuli Tuipulotu was also still on ESPN’s hold-in list Thursday as the Chargers moved through camp. Yahoo Sports reported six days earlier that the fourth-year pass rusher was holding in while seeking a new contract and was doing side work rather than full team practice. (ftw.usatoday.com) Chargers defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary said, “We keep it rolling in practice,” according to Yahoo Sports, while adding that the team missed Tuipulotu’s presence and production. ESPN’s Chargers camp page on Thursday continued to flag Tuipulotu as the team’s hold-in case before the first full week of preseason action beginning Aug. 13. ### Who else is tied to this story? (espn.com) Bijan Robinson was included by ESPN in the same hold-in roundup and said he had been in contact with Gibbs during their contract talks. ESPN reported that both running backs began camp with their teams but without taking part in practice as they waited for extensions. Aug. 6 is the next marker in the story because the preseason opener arrives that day and ESPN said it would continue updating the status of Robinson, Gibbs, Vea and Tuipulotu as camps move toward exhibition games and roster decisions. (sports.yahoo.com) (espn.com 1) (espn.com 2)