Huskers in the NFL: Week 1
Sep 11, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) reacts during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Nineteen former Cornhuskers made their way onto opening day NFL rosters, including rookies Cam Taylor-Britt, Samori Toure, JoJo Domann and Cam Jurgens. A number of former Nebraska stars will play pivotal roles as seasoned veterans this year, such as Houston’s Rex Burkhead, Tampa Bay’s Lavonte David and Denver’s Randy Gregory.
Taylor-Britt and New York Giants’ offensive lineman Nick Gates were the only former Huskers to sit out Week 1 with injuries.
Burkhead, an ever-present receiving threat out of the backfield, has a slight lead on the Texans’ No. 1 running back position over rookie Dameon Pierce. David, a Super Bowl winner, is in his team-leading 11th year in Tampa and lines up with Shaquille Barrett and Devin White to make an imposing combination of linebackers. Week 1 marked Gregory’s first game with the Denver Broncos after spending seven years with the Dallas Cowboys.
While the aforementioned trio will likely make the most noise in the 2022 NFL season, the rest of the fraternity of former Huskers will contribute as well.
Read below to see how previous Nebraska players fared in Week 1 of the NFL season:
Randy Gregory
Sep 12, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) breaks a tackle attempt by Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gregory (5) during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Gregory assisted on one tackle and forced a fumble from Seattle wide receiver DK Metcalf in the Broncos’ 17-16 loss to the Seahawks on Monday Night Football.
Rex Burkhead
Aug 25, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (38) and defensive end Kerry Hyder Jr. (92) tackles Houston Texans running back Rex Burkhead (28) during the first quarter gainst the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Burkhead toted the ball 14 times for 40 yards and added five catches for 30 yards in Houston’s 20-20 tie with Indianapolis.
Lavonte David
Sep 11, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) reacts during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay won 19-3 over Dallas and David made six tackles: three solo and three assists. One of the tackles was for loss and he also added a pass deflection.
Brett Maher
Oct 14, 2018; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys kicker Brett Maher (2) kicks a field goal in the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
On a notoriously weak start to the year for kickers across the NFL, Maher hit a 51-yard field goal for the Dallas Cowboys’ only score in their 19-3 loss to Tampa Bay.
Luke Gifford
Aug 11, 2022; Englewood, CO, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Luke Gifford (57) during a joint training camp with the Denver Broncos at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Gifford made a solo tackle for Dallas in their loss.
Jack Stoll
Aug 19, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Harvey Langi (48) tackles Philadelphia Eagles tight end Jack Stoll (47) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Stoll was on the field for 28 offensive snaps, but did not record a catch in the Philadelphia Eagles’ 38-35 win over Detroit. He’ll likely be the No. 2 tight end for Philly behind Dallas Goedert.
Cam Jurgens
May 6, 2022; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Cam Jurgens during Rookie Minicamp at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jurgens played six snaps on Philadelphia’s special teams in his NFL debut.
JoJo Domann
Aug 13, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Tanner Gentry (87) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts linebacker JoJo Domann (57) after a catch in the fourth quarter pre-season game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Also making his NFL debut, Domann played 20 snaps on special teams for the Indianapolis Colts.
Cethan Carter
Aug 27, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins tight end Cethan Carter (82) scores a touchdown ahead of Philadelphia Eagles linebacker JaCoby Stevens (30) during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Carter played five snaps, four on special teams and one at tight end, in Miami’s season-opening loss to New England. Carter suffered an injury on a kickoff and entered concussion protocol.
Maliek Collins
Dec 5, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz (2) breaks the tackle of Houston Texans defensive tackle Maliek Collins (97) in the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
The fourth-year tackle Collins made four tackles and deflected a pass in the Texans’ tie with the Colts.
Matt Farniok
Aug 4, 2022; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Matt Farniok (68) during training camp at River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, California. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
Farniok started at left guard for the Dallas Cowboys and played 62 offensive snaps in their loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Joshua Kalu
Aug 20, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans safety Joshua Kalu (28) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Kaylon Geiger (80) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Kalu was on the field 25 combined snaps between defense and special teams for Tennessee, making one tackle. The Titans narrowly lost to the New York Giants 21-20.
Stanley Morgan
Bengals wide receiver Stanley Morgan Jr. (8) prepares to make a catch during a drill at the Cincinnati Bengals practice at Paul Brown Stadium Tuesday, August 6, 2019.
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Morgan, a wide receiver for Cincinnati, was on the field for five plays at wideout but did not make a catch. However, he played 21 snaps on special teams and made two tackles in the Bengals 23-20 overtime loss against Pittsburgh.
Lamar Jackson
Sep 11, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Heavy rain falls onto the visor of Chicago Bears cornerback Lamar Jackson (23) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Jackson played four special teams snaps for the Chicago Bears in their 19-10 victory over San Francisco.
Ameer Abdullah
Aug 4, 2022; Canton, Ohio, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) runs for a touchdown against Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Shaquille Quarterman (50) in the second quarter in the Hall of Fame game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Abdullah did not record a rushing attempt in Las Vegas’ 24-19 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, but saw 17 snaps between running back and special teams.
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