D.J. Reed, CB, New York Jets
New York’s defense shined on Monday Night Football as the Jets upset the Buffalo Bills despite losing starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers after four snaps. Reed, in his second season for the Jets, led the team with 11 tackles and played on every defensive snap. The 2018 fifth-round pick has started 20 straight games in the NFL, dating back to his time in Seattle.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE, Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs selected Anudike-Uzomah with the first round, 31st pick in this year’s NFL draft, bringing the Kansas City native home. Anudike-Uzomah earned a 68.8 overall PFF grade, the highest of all the Chiefs’ defensive linemen. As a rotational piece, he recorded a run stop and two third-down hits in his regular-season debut.
Deuce Vaughn, RB, Dallas Cowboys
In the Cowboys’ 40-0 victory over the New York Giants, four running backs saw carries. Vaughn’s six carries tied for the second most behind starting running back Tony Pollard. The sixth-round rookie saw eight offensive snaps, a snap on special teams and eight total yards.
Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Lockett, in his ninth season for Seattle, hauled in two passes for 10 yards in a 30-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Both receptions came on the first drive for the Seahawks. The former all-pro later exited the game after a hard hit sent him into concussion protocol.
Russ Yeast, S, Los Angeles Rams
Yeast made his second career start for the Rams and recorded two tackles while playing on every defensive snap. Yeast was drafted in the seventh round of last year’s draft.
Ty Zentner, P, Houston Texans
Zentner was elevated from the Texans’ practice squad ahead of its 25-9 loss at Baltimore. He recorded four punts with a 44.0 yard average in his NFL debut. The rookie was originally an undrafted signee by the Eagles before being stashed on the Texans’ practice squad and officially signed to the active roster on Wednesday morning.
Julius “JuJu” Brents, DB, Indianapolis Colts
Brents, a second-round rookie, was not active for the Colts’ 31-21 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He had been dealing with a hamstring injury during training camp, but was not with the team for Week 1 due to a personal matter, per James Boyd of the Athletic.
Related:
Wildcats in the NFL: Preseason edition
Byron Pringle, WR, Washington Commanders
Pringle enters his first season in Washington where he reunites with former Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. The sixth-year receiver played one snap on special teams in the Commanders’ 20-16 win over Arizona.
Josh Hayes, DB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Hayes, a sixth-round rookie, played on 23 special teams snaps and earned one tackle in punt coverage.
Cody Whitehair, OL, Chicago Bears
Whitehair, in his eighth pro season, earned his 108th career start and played in every offensive snap as Chicago dropped its opener 38-20 against Green Bay.
Duke Shelley, DB, Los Angeles Rams
Shelley is on his fourth NFL team with the Rams and was part of nine special teams plays during Week 1.
Cornelius Lucas, OL, Washington Commanders
Lucas is entering his ninth season in the NFL and fourth straight with the Commanders. The veteran tackle saw three special teams snaps in the opener.
