The NFL season started last week, and 10 former Arizona Wildcats and two local high school products made it through training camps and cuts to find themselves on opening day rosters.
The number of local players on active NFL rosters could continue to grow, especially if Salpointe High School’s Jeff Tuel and UA grad Trevin Wade are promoted from the practice squad or reserved lists.
In fact, the list is already growing. Former second-round draft pick Eben Britton re-signed with the Chicago Bears on Tuesday, adding to the team’s depth. He had been cut by the Bears earlier in camp.
Player of the Week
Nick Foles QB, Philadelphia Eagles
Foles led the Eagles to a come-from-behind victory over Jacksonville on Sunday. The former Wildcats quarterback completed 27 passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns in the 34-17 win. Foles will look to give Philadelphia its second 2-0 start in the past three years Monday night against Indianapolis.
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Four to watch
Antoine Cason CB, Carolina Panthers
Cason made a good impression in his first game as a Panther by compiling a team-high nine tackles and intercepting a first-quarter pass. The former first-round pick is on his third team in as many seasons, having played for the Cardinals last year and the Chargers for five seasons before that.Rob Gronkowski TE, New England Patriots
The former UA tight end hauled in four catches, including a 6-yard touchdown, in Sunday’s loss to Miami. Gronkowski will get his second look at the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2 when the Patriots head to Minneapolis.Nick Folk K, New York Jets
Folk nailed two field goals from beyond 40 yards in the Jets’ 19-14 victory over the Oakland Raiders. He now has 15 field goals in his career in season openers and has never missed an opening day kick.Brooks Reed LB, Houston Texans
The Sabino High School product recorded a five-tackle game for the sixth time in his career while adding a sack of Washington’s Robert Griffin III. Reed now has 12 sacks in his career, the second-most among active UA alums in the NFL.
The big number
2Tackles for Earl Mitchell in his debut as a Miami Dolphin on Sunday. The ex-Wildcat now has 10 tackles in three career games against the Patriots.
Give the Devil his due
Every week, we’ll highlight one former ASU player who’s playing well at the pro level. (Relax, people, it’s just one guy.)Vontaze Burfict LB, Cincinnati Bengals
Coming off a 170-tackle season, which led the entire NFL, Burfict started his 2014 campaign with four tackles against the Baltimore Ravens. The ex-Sun Devil linebacker also recorded a pass deflection and forced a fumble in the game. This Sunday, Burfict will play his first career game against the Atlanta Falcons.
He said it
“#ThankYouLord a life long Dream became Reality Today #NFL #Surreal”
— Former Wildcat Marquis Fowlers (@MrHitThat_2) after making his professional debut Sunday. The 2014 draft pick out of the UA helped the Bengals to a 23-16 win at Baltimore.
