The first weekend of NFL pre-season action is behind us, with the regular season now under a month away and potentially eight Australians running out for their respective teams.

Here, foxsports.com.au brings you the latest news and updates from around the league on each of them.

Mailata is entering his sixth year in the NFL and there are lofty expectations for the former rugby league player, who could be pushing for All-Pro status.

In fact, former NFL defensive tackle Dan Sileo declared on JAKIB Sports that Mailata can be “the best left tackle in football by the end of the year”.

It would be quite the achievement for Mailata, whose familiarity with football extended to only knowing what a touchdown and first down was when he first touched down in America.

But Mailata has been defying doubters since the very beginning of his journey to the NFL and is already regarded as one of the best left tackles in the position.

There is still plenty to learn for the 26-year-old, who told reporters ahead of training camp that he has leaned on veteran teammates for advice when it comes to taking care of his body.

Although, in typical Mailata fashion, the amicable Australian first opened his media availability with a joke and a smile.

“Give me a second, guys,” Mailata said, looking down at his phone.

“I’ve got to look at my stock answers from John (Gonoude).”

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Jordan Mailata is always learning. Mitchell Leff/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP
Mailata’s rise from just ‘that rugby boy’ to a four-year, $64 million extension in 2021 has hardly followed any script though and the Australian is still finding new ways to get better.

“I think the only thing that has changed is routine-wise, taking care of my body,” Mailata said at training camp this year.

“I’m getting old, getting rough and a lot of people think [if] you played league six years it’s not long enough but if you play O-line it feels like you played 26 years. That’s where routine comes in.

“The older guys that have mentored me — JP [Jason Peters], Brandon Brooks, Big V [Halapoulivaati Vaitai], Isaac [Seumalo] — those guys taught me routine. I would say that is the biggest difference coming into year six.”

Zach Pascal and Jordan Mailata react after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Mailata and the Eagles fell agonisingly short of Super Bowl glory last year, going down in a shootout against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The rugby league convert played an important role of getting Philadelphia there in the first place, protecting quarterback Jalen Hurts in his breakout season.

Mailata allowed just six sacks, one quarterback hit and 38 total pressures in the 2022-23 season and was named a Pro Bowl alternate. But that is not enough.

“The peanut jar is nearly full, but that last 15 percent, it’s like finding a needle in a haystack now and being honest with yourself to fill the jar with those peanuts – so there is a lot of work to be done,” Mailata told the Philadelphia Eagles official website.

That started in training camp as Mailata and teammate Landon Dickerson cleared the way for a 20-yard touchdown by running back addition D’Andre Swift.

Earlier this week Mailata had another opportunity to go up against Cleveland’s Myles Garrett, having faced off against the Browns star pass rusher in a joint practice too.

“Myles gave me a couple of good tips to kind of key in on what he looks for,” Mailata said, per NBC Sports Philadelphia.

“Those are things that come this time next week, I’m not going to try to give it to him and see where I am this year and compare it to where I was last year. I’m looking forward to it. I really am. Because Myles is a helluva player, man. He is a helluva player.

“And why not go up against the best when you can and see and evaluate where your game is at. That’s what I’m looking forward to.”

It didn’t seem to work out too well for Mailata and Philadelphia’s offensive line in general according to beat reporters on the ground. A good learning experience nonetheless.

In related news, Mailata will be joined by fellow Australian Matt Leo in Philadelphia, with the former defensive lineman signing on as a Defensive & Football Operations Assistant.

Arryn Siposs (Philadelphia Eagles)

Speaking of the Eagles, there is no guarantee fellow Australian Arryn Siposs will get a chance to redeem his Super Bowl nightmare.

In his first game back since suffering a high-ankle sprain and with everything on the line, Siposs had a moment to forget that resulted in the longest punt return in Super Bowl history.

“He just gave us a really ugly punt and I just had to go out there and make a play,” dynamic Chiefs wide receiver Kadarious Toney said at the time.

“I never want to feel this way again,” Siposs added.

That one moment though was indicative of a bigger issue for Philadelphia, a Super Bowl contender with firepower all across the park but also with a glaring weakness at punter.

Siposs ranked 26th in punting average (45.6) and tied-26th in hang time (4.23 seconds), with undrafted free agent Ty Zentner brought in to provide some competition this pre-season.

The Australian is off-contract this season and reports from Philadelphia beat writers suggest neither have been overly impressive or at least ran away with the job.

Speaking to The Sydney Morning Heraldthis month, the former AFL player said he was embracing the challenge of having to fight for his spot on the roster.

“This is what the world of the NFL is about in the end,” Siposs said.

“I have been very fortunate where over the past couple of seasons I haven’t had that situation [of fighting for his spot], but I can promise you that that’s a very rare situation to be in.

“You are still competing every day, even if there is not someone right next to you. That’s part of the game. I very much look forward to the challenge of having someone come in there and see what they can do. I will just continue to do my thing – basically may the best man win.”

Daniel Faalele (Baltimore Ravens)

Following a similar path to Mailata, the Ravens have been taking things slowly with Faalele and there are promising signs already this pre-season that he is on the right path.

Faalele played in all 16 regular season games for Baltimore last season, earning one start where he did not allow a single sack on 43 pass blocking snaps.

Even more impressive was the fact that game was against the Buffalo Bills and star pass rusher Von Miller.

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Offensive tackle Daniel Faalele. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
While it is unlikely Faalele will see a starting role right away this season, with Baltimore still needing to see more with the 23-year-old project, an opportunity has presented itself.

There is a left guard spot open after Ben Powers left in free agency and Ravens head coach John Harbaugh suggested Faalele could be one contender to replace the 2019 fourth-round pick.

“I wanted to see what he looked like before we got out of the minicamp and the OTAs at left guard, and he looked good,” Harbaugh said.

“He could stay a little more square and things like that, but his feet look good, his hands look good, he’s able to punch quickly with his hands and react pretty quickly in there, so I wouldn’t rule him out as a potential left guard.”

Ben Cleveland though was widely considered the leading option. Either way, Faalele has impressed in Baltimore’s recent pre-season game against Philadelphia.

The Australian played all 65 offensive snaps, something which spoke to his improvement conditioning according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.

Pro Football Focus had Faalele as the highest-graded offensive lineman from the game, finishing with a 74.1 initial overall grade from a 77.7 pass-blocking grade and 71.9 run-blocking grade.

“He’s well ahead of last year in two key ways,” wrote Ken McKusick of 105.7 The Fan.

“He is using his arms more often off the snap to try to disrupt pass rushers and (generally) not setting too deep. Daniel gets himself in trouble when he does not make an early attempt to get his hands on an opposing pass rusher and gives up depth to mirror without contact.”

Mike Preston of Baltimore Sun, meanwhile, wrote that Faalele had the “best block of the night” near the end of the third quarter.

It came as the Ravens attempted a quick toss play for recent running back recruit Melvin Gordon III, with Eagles safety K’Von Wallace in position to make the tackle.

“He had perfect position, but so did Faalele, who blasted him about 5 feet,” wrote Preston.

Daniel Faalele with a brutal block.Source: FOX SPORTS
Mitch Wishnowsky (San Francisco 49ers)

The Australian punter’s spot on the 49ers roster is safe, having signed a four-year extension with the team last year worth up to $13 million.

It was a just reward for the 31-year-old, whose combination of power and unique spin makes him one of the best punters in the league.

Wishnowsky did have a setback last month though, injuring his back while lifting weights away from the team facility.

The Australian was subsequently placed on the Active/Non-Football Injury List but was later cleared after he passed a physical and was activated from the list to return to action.

Lou Hedley (New Orleans Saints)

You can’t miss Hedley, the heavily tattooed former scaffolder from Western Australia — and soon he could be a familiar face around New Orleans.

Hedley, who was one of the best punters in college football after earning a scholarship to the University of Miami, quickly became a cult hero of sorts with his distinctive look.

Now Hedley is in a battle with Blake Gillikin at training camp to secure a spot on the Saints’ roster.

Gillikin handled all the team’s punts in their recent pre-season win over Kansas City, with Hedley given a chance to impress in the second half.

At this stage though it is unclear who is ahead in the pecking order, Gillikin said he was enjoying the competition and learning “new tricks” from the Australian newcomer.

“Every year I’ve had competition, whether it is in OTAs or camp, so this is four years running and I almost think it’s easier to have competition than to not,” Gillikin said last week.

“You can kind of have a way to gauge yourself against someone else. Obviously we’re punting every single day, either it’s me or Lou, and it’s good to get that kind of work and measure yourself against someone else.

“I think we just push each other every single. Lou is really talented, obviously he punts different stylistically to what I do so it’s good to get that stylistic difference and learn new tricks sometimes.”

Michael Dickson (Seattle Seahawks)

Like Wishnowsky, there is not much new to report on Dickson, who signed a four-year extension worth $US13 million ($A19.3m) back in September last year.

This play below against the Minnesota Vikings in Seattle’s pre-season game on the weekend is proof of why, with a muffed punt recovery swinging the contest in the Seahawks’ favour.

Adam Gotsis (Jacksonville Jaguars)

Positional versatility has been one of the Australian’s greatest strengths but on the weekend Adam Gostsis found himself in a position even he wouldn’t have been prepared for.

The 30-year-old was Jacksonville’s emergency long snapper after Ross Matiscik suffered a shoulder injury in the team’s first preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Fortunately for Gotsis he won’t be required to long snap for the Jaguars any time soon, with the team bringing back Carson Tinker as cover after the injury.

As for Gotsis though, he signed a two-year deal with Jacksonville earlier this year as the Jaguars look to build on last year’s successful season.

Gotsis, who featured at both defensive end and tackle last season, recorded 1.5 sacks, 19 tackles, nine quarterback hits and three tackles for loss

While not always playing a leading role, Gotsis may be more heavily featured for the Jaguars this season after defensive lineman Arden Key left for the Tennessee Titans.

Cameron Johnston (Houston Texans)

Houston may be undergoing a rebuild, headlined by rookie quarterback CJ Stroud, but the Texans have found stability at punter with Australian Johnston.

Johnston has been a solid option at the position since making the move from Philadelphia, punting 88 times last season for 4,229 gross yards (48.1 average) and 3,735 net yards (42.6).

Meanwhile, he led the AFC and was tied for the second-highest mark in the NFL with 37 punts inside the 20-yard line.

Patrick Murtagh (Detroit Lions)

Murtagh, who was aiming to play in the NFL tight end, withdrew from the league’s International Player Pathway (IPP) due to an undisclosed medical issue back in May.

The former AFL hopeful had been rewarded with a spot on the NFC North side’s roster ahead of training camp and was hoping to impress with his athleticism and ball-tracking ability.

There could have been a legitimate opportunity for Murtagh too given tight end Shane Zylstra suffered a significant knee injury in August while wide receiver Jameson Williams will be suspended for the first six weeks of the season.

“Over the last 7 months, I’ve been training and transitioning my body in hope of pursuing a career in the NFL,” Murtagh wrote back in May.

“After recently being allocated to the Detroit Lions, I’ve unfortunately faced an obstacle through injury that has put a set back in my journey.

“Obviously, this is not ideal but it’s sport, injuries happen and sometimes we can’t control that. Life is full of obstacles but nothings [sic] impossible, so I am back up, moving forward and continuing to chase my dreams.

“For this year moving forward it about getting my body fit, healthy and ready for what’s next. I can’t wait to attack this year and be even better and more dangerous next year.

“Thank you to everyone for the support and praises during this short time but it’s not over, I am just getting started. Keep your eyes peeled because big things are coming.

“I am not done. I’ll be back!”