17 Locals Started In Opening Week Of NFL Season

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The NFL season started over the weekend and 17 players with local ties to the state of Utah appeared in the starting lineup for their respective NFL teams.

Eight players who once played for the University of Utah started with two making their NFL debuts, including Matt Gay and Mitch Wishnowsky.

BYU had four alums that started in Week 1 of the NFL season with a couple of more that will start next week but were out with injury or personal reasons.

Three former Aggies started and star running back Darwin Thompson made his NFL debut with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Here is how all of the locals performed after the opening week of the NFL season:

Former Utes

Star Lotulelei, DL, Buffalo Bills (1-0)
Lotulelei started on the defensive line and recorded one tackle in the Bills’ 17-16 win over the New York Jets.
Next Up: at New York Giants (0-1), Sunday at 11 a.m. on CBS.

Devontae Booker, RB, Denver Broncos (0-1)
Booker played one snap on offense and eight on special teams, but didn’t record any statistics in the Broncos’ 24-16 loss to the Oakland Raiders on Monday Night Football.
Next Up: vs. Chicago Bears (0-1), Sunday at 2:25 p.m. on FOX.

Tim Patrick, WR, Denver Broncos (0-1)
The former Ute played 8 snaps on offense and 9 on special teams, while recording one tackle in kickoff coverage. He missed most of the game with a hand injury in the Broncos’ 24-16 loss to the Oakland Raiders on Monday Night Football.
Next Up: vs. Chicago Bears (0-1), Sunday at 2:25 p.m. on FOX.

Garett Bolles, OL, Denver Broncos (0-1)
Starting at left tackle, Bolles played in all 64 offensive snaps and participated in 5 snaps on special teams in the Broncos’ 24-16 loss to the Oakland Raiders on Monday Night Football.
Next Up: vs. Chicago Bears (0-1), Sunday at 2:25 p.m. on FOX.

Sam Tevi, OL, Los Angeles Chargers (1-0)
Tevi started the game at right tackle for the Chargers and played all 64 offensive snaps and was in on 5 special teams plays. The Chargers beat the Indianapolis Colts 30-24 in overtime.
Next Up: at Detroit Lions (0-0-1), Sunday at 11 a.m. on CBS.

Eric Weddle, S, Los Angeles Rams (1-0)
Weddle made his debut with the Rams and recorded six tackles before missing the rest of the game after suffering a head injury in the second quarter. He was attempting a tackle on Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey when he leaped over Weddle and hit his helmet with his knee. Weddle had lacerations to his head and was evaluated for a concussion.
Next Up: vs. New Orleans Saints (1-0), Sunday at 2:25 p.m. on FOX.

Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers. I'm good as gold. Now let's go finish this game with a DUB!!!!

— Eric Weddle (@weddlesbeard) September 8, 2019

Eric Rowe, CB, Miami Dolphins (0-1)
Rowe started at cornerback and led the team with 11 combined tackles, including 9 solo takedowns in the Dolphins 59-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Next Up: vs. New England Patriots (1-0), Sunday at 11 a.m. on CBS.

Marcus Williams, S, New Orleans Saints (1-0)
Williams got the start at free safety in the Saints’ comeback 30-28 win over the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football. The former Ute finished with two tackles, two pass deflections and an interception. When he intercepted Deshaun Watson’s pass, Williams was body slammed to the ground by Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
Next Up: at Los Angeles Rams (1-0), Sunday at 2:25 p.m. on FOX.

Marcus Williams with the pick. #Utes pic.twitter.com/iJfFOxL2vh

— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) September 10, 2019

Mitch Wishnowsky, P, San Francisco 49ers (1-0)
Wishnowsky had two punts in his first NFL game. He averaged 45.5 yards per punt and pinned the Buccaneers inside the 20-yard line with one of his punts.
Next Up: at Cincinnati Bengals (0-1), Sunday at 11 a.m. on FOX.

Cody Barton, LB, Seattle Seahawks (1-0)
The former Ute made his NFL debut and played 23 snaps on special teams, but didn’t record any statistics as the Seahawks beat the Cincinnati Bengals 21-20.
Next Up: at Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1), Sunday at 11 a.m. on FOX.

Matt Gay, K, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1)
Gay made two extra points and one field goal in his NFL debut. Gay’s made FG was from 31 yards in the Buccaneers 31-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Next Up: at Carolina Panthers (0-1), Thursday at 6:20 p.m. on NFL Network.

The first of many.#GoBucs | #SFvsTB pic.twitter.com/XWQjpfmJNp

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 8, 2019

 

Former Cougars

Ezekiel Ansah, DE, Seattle Seahawks (1-0)
Ziggy had soreness in his shoulder and that kept him inactive for the Seahawks season opening 21-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said to ESPN 710 in Seattle that we “should count on” Ziggy to play in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Next Up: at Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1), Sunday at 11 a.m. on FOX.

Michael Davis, Los Angeles Chargers (1-0)
Davis had earned his first NFL start at cornerback as the Chargers beat the Indianapolis Colts 30-24 in overtime, but it didn’t last long as Davis suffered a hamstring injury that took him out of the game.
Next Up: at Detroit Lions (0-0-1), Sunday at 11 a.m. on CBS.

Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (1-0)
The Saints were down by two scores against the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football. Then Drew Brees connected with Taysom Hill for a touchdown pass that ignited the comeback for the Saints as they knocked off the Texans 30-28.
Next Up: at Los Angeles Rams (1-0), Sunday at 2:25 p.m. on FOX.

Taysom Hill with the catch, reverse somersault and flex for the touchdown #BYU #HOUvsNO pic.twitter.com/yod4oT0CXS

— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) September 10, 2019

Bronson Kaufusi, New York Jets (0-1)
Kaufusi started at defensive end for the Jets. He played in 45 percent of the Jets defensive snaps and recorded one tackle in the 17-16 loss to the AFC East foe Buffalo Bills.
Next Up: vs Cleveland Browns (0-1), Monday at 6:15 p.m. on ESPN.

Harvey Langi, New York Jets (0-1)
Like his former BYU teammate and current Jet teammate Bronson Kaufusi, Harvey Langi was also in the starting lineup for the Jets defense at outside linebacker. He had a pass deflection and played in 36 percent of the defensive snaps for the Jets in their 17-16 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Next Up: vs Cleveland Browns (0-1), Monday at 6:15 p.m. on ESPN.

Daniel Sorensen, Kansas City Chiefs (1-0)
“Dirty Dan” did not start for the Chiefs. Kansas City opted for rookie Juan Thornhill at free safety over the six-year NFL vet in Sorensen. He recorded one tackle as the backup in the Chiefs 40-26 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars who had Gardner Minshew step in at backup quarterback for the injured Nick Foles.
Next Up: at Oakland Raiders (1-0), Sunday at 2:05 p.m.

#Chiefs rookie Juan Thornhill to start at FS over Daniel Sorensen https://t.co/zxBXDEI867

— Chiefs Wire (@TheChiefsWire) September 8, 2019

Sione Takitaki, Cleveland Browns (0-1)
Takitaki was inactive in the Browns season-opening 43-13 loss against the Tennessee Titans. Takitaki was battling an injury leading up to the season opener.
Next Up: at New York Jets (0-1), Monday at 6:15 p.m. on ESPN.

Kyle Van Noy, New England Patriots (1-0)
Van Noy was inactive and it was for a good reason. The former BYU star and his wife welcomed a new baby to their family. The Patriots beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 33-3.
Next Up: at Miami Dolphins (0-1), Sunday at 11 a.m. on CBS.

Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers (1-0)
Entering his second season, Warner is emerging as one of the top players on the San Francisco defense. Warner led the 49ers in tackles in their 31-17 win against Tampa Bay on Sunday with nine tackles. He also recorded a pass deflection and forced a fumble.
Next Up: at Cincinnati Bengals (0-1), Sunday at 11 a.m. on FOX.

#49ers’ LB Fred Warner put on a clinic in the season opener against the Bucs.

Warner finished the game 7 tackles and a forced fumble. pic.twitter.com/jgMs3uk5JF

— Fourth and Nine (@fourth_nine) September 9, 2019

Jamaal Williams, Green Bay Packers (1-0)
Williams was a backup running back to Aaron Jones. The “Swagdaddy” had five carries for zero yards in the Packers 10-3 win over division rival Chicago to open the regular season. Williams made an impact in other areas of the game recording two catches for 15 yards and also making a special teams tackle in punt coverage.
Next Up: vs Minnesota Vikings (1-0), Sunday at 11 a.m. on FOX.

Former Aggies

Maurice Alexander, S, Buffalo Bills (1-0)
The former Aggie one tackle on special teams as the Bills beat the New York Jets 17-16.
Next Up: at New York Giants (0-1), Sunday at 11 a.m. on CBS.

Tyler Larsen, OL, Carolina Panthers (0-1) 
Larsen came off the bench and played 6 snaps on special teams in the Panthers’ 30-27 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Next Up: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1), Thursday at 6:20 p.m. on NFL Network.

Patrick Scales, LS, Chicago Bears (0-1)
Scales snapped the ball nine times on special teams for the Bears in their 10-3 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Next Up: at Denver Broncos (0-1), Sunday at 2:25 p.m. on FOX.

Nick Vigil, LB, Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)
Vigil recorded seven total tackles including one tackle for loss in the Bengals’ defeat.
Next Up: vs. San Francisco 49ers (1-0), Sunday at 11 a.m. on FOX.

Kyler Fackrell, LB, Green Bay Packers (1-0)
Fackrell had two tackles in the Packers’ 10-3 win over the Chicago Bears.
Next Up: vs. Minnesota Vikings (1-0), Sunday at 11 a.m. on FOX.

Darwin Thompson, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (1-0)
Thompson made his NFL debut with one catch for 3 yards in the Chiefs’ 40-26 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Next Up: at Oakland Raiders (1-0), Sunday at 2:05 p.m. on CBS.

JoJo Natson, WR, Los Angeles Rams (1-0)
Natson had two punt returns for 19 yards in the Rams’ 30-27 win over the Carolina Panthers.
Next Up: vs. New Orleans Saints (1-0), Sunday at 2:25 p.m. on FOX.

Dallin Leavitt, S, Oakland Raiders (1-0)
Leavitt did not play in the Raiders’ season opening 24-16 win over the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football.
Next Up: vs. Kansas City Chiefs (1-0), Sunday at 2:05 p.m. on CBS.

Nevin Lawson, CB, Oakland Raiders (1-0)
The former Aggie is currently serving a four game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. The Raiders beat the Denver Broncos 24-16 on Monday Night Football.
Next Up: vs. Kansas City Chiefs (1-0), Sunday at 2:05 p.m. on CBS.

Bobby Wagner, LB, Seattle Seahawks (1-0)
Wagner had 9 total tackles in Seattle’s 21-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Two of his tackles were for a loss.
Next Up: at Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1), Sunday at 11 a.m. on FOX.

Donald Penn, OL, Washington Redskins (0-1)
Penn started at left tackle and played all 67 offensive snaps in the Redskins 32-27 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Next Up: vs. Dallas Cowboys (1-0), Sunday at 11 a.m. on FOX.

Former Wildcats

Taron Johnson, CB, Buffalo Bills (1-0)
Johnson started at cornerback and recorded three tackles, including one for a loss and a pass deflection in the Bills’ 17-16 win over the New York Jets.
Next Up: at New York Giants (0-1), Sunday at 11 a.m. on CBS.

Former Thunderbirds

Miles Killebrew, S, Detroit Lions (0-0-1)
Killebrew played 29 snaps on special teams in the Lions 27-27 tie against the Arizona Cardinals.
Next Up: vs. Los Angeles Chargers (1-0), Sunday at 11 a.m. on CBS.

Former High School Stars

Dalton Schultz, TE, Dallas Cowboys (1-0)
Schultz played 9 offensive snaps and 3 on special teams, but didn’t record any statistics as the Cowboys beat the New York Giants 35-17.
Next Up: at Washington Redskins (0-1), Sunday at 11 a.m. on FOX.

Xavier Su’a-Filo, OL, Dallas Cowboys (1-0)
Su’a-Filo played seven snaps on offense and 5 on special teams in the Cowboys’ 35-17 win over the New York Giants.
Next Up: vs. Washington Redskins (0-1), Sunday at 11 a.m. on FOX.

Kaden Ellis, LB, New Orleans Saints (1-0)
The Judge Memorial high school star played 18 special teams snaps in the Saints’ 30-28 win over the Houston Texans.
Next Up: at Los Angeles Rams (1-0), Sunday at 2:25 p.m. on FOX.

Jordan Devey, OL, Oakland Raiders (1-0)
The former American Fork star started at left guard and played all 58 snaps on offense and participated in four snaps on special teams as the Raiders knocked off the Denver Broncos 24-16 on Monday Night Football.
Next Up: vs. Kansas City Chiefs (1-0), Sunday at 2:05 p.m. on CBS.

Andre James, OL, Oakland Raiders (1-0)
The Herriman high school product made his NFL debut and played four snaps on special teams in the Raiders 24-16 win over the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football.
Next Up: vs. Kansas City Chiefs (1-0), Sunday at 2:05 p.m. on CBS.

Bryan Mone, DT, Seattle Seahawks (1-0)
Mone, a Highland high school graduate recorded two tackles in his NFL debut as the Seahawks beat the Cincinnati Bengals 21-20.
Next Up: at Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1), Sunday at 11 a.m. on FOX.

John Ursua, WR, Seattle Seahawks (1-0)
The Cedar and Westlake high school product, Ursua was inactive in Seattle’s 21-20 season opening win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Next Up: at Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1), Sunday at 11 a.m. on FOX.