GOING INTO THIS season, 261 Stanford alumni had played at least one snap in a National Football League or American Football League regular-season game. On Sunday, Michael Wilson became the 262nd.
Wilson started at receiver for the Arizona Cardinals and was among 21 former Cardinal to play on the NFL's opening weekend – 10 of whom started. Overall, 35 alums belong to NFL teams.
The weekend also marked the NFL coaching debut of former Stanford quarterback and offensive coordinator Tavita Pritchard, now quarterbacks coach for the Washington Commanders. But, more than anything, the NFL weekend was highlighted by Christian McCaffrey, who gained a league-high 152 yards rushing in a big San Francisco 49ers' victory.
Here is a rundown of Stanford alums on Week One of the NFL season:
Christian McCaffrey. Photo by Gregory Fisher/USA TODAY Sports.
San Francisco starting running back Christian McCaffrey gained 152 yards on 22 carries and scored on a dazzling 65-yard touchdown run to lead the 49ers to a 30-7 victory at Pittsburgh. McCaffrey took the NFL rushing lead after Week One, and averaged 6.9 yards per carry. He also caught three passes for 17 yards and seven of his touches resulted in first downs. McCaffrey earned a 74.6 grade from Pro Football Focus. 49ers' teammate Curtis Robinson had a special teams tackle. For Pittsburgh, guard Nate Herbig played on special teams.
Arizona rookie Michael Wilson made his NFL debut, starting at receiver in the Cardinals' 20-16 loss at Washington. Wilson caught two passes for 19 yards, including his first early in the third quarter from Josh Dobbs for 15 yards, and had a 63.5 rating by Pro Football Focus when targeted. Cardinals' teammate Zach Ertz started at tight end and led all receivers with six catches, for 21 yards and earned a 65.8 pass-block rating from Pro Football Focus. Defensive end Casey Toohill came off the bench for Washington and made three tackles, including two for losses totaling six yards, while earning a 69.2 grade from Pro Football Focus.
Casey Toohill (right) celebrates his tackle-for-loss. Photo by Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports.
Atlanta starting center Drew Dalman earned a 75.2 grade from Pro Football Focus – the second-highest among centers in the NFL last week. Dalman helped the Falcons rush for 130 yards in a 24-10 victory over the visiting Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
Kansas City starting safety Justin Reid had six tackles, including four solo, and two passes defensed in the Chiefs' 21-20 loss to visiting Detroit in the NFL's season-opener on Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium. A blitzing Reid batted down a fourth-down pass with 2:33 left to give Kansas City a chance to take the lead, but the Chiefs were unable to take advantage. Reid earned a 67.3 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus.
Justin Reid. Photo by Denny Medley/USA TODAY Sports.
Minnesota starting defensive lineman Harrison Phillips had eight tackles, including five solo, and batted down a pass in the Vikings' 20-17 loss to visiting Tampa Bay. He earned a grade of 71.6 from Pro Football Focus – the 26th-highest among interior defenders in the league in Week One.
New Orleans starting left cornerback Paulson Adebo intercepted a pass and had two solo tackles in the Saints' 16-15 victory over visiting Tennessee. His third-quarter interception at Tennessee's 33-yard line set up New Orleans on a short field for a touchdown drive that provided the winning points. Adebo earned a 63.8 run-defense grade from Pro Football Focus. Teammate Andrus Peat saw action at guard on special teams.
Austin Hooper. Photo by Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports.
Las Vegas tight end Austin Hooper caught a 20-yard fourth-quarter pass from Jimmy Garoppolo to the 6-yard line to set up the winning touchdown in the Raiders' 17-16 victory at Denver. Hooper earned a 67.5 receiving grade from Pro Football Focus.
Ty Montgomery. Photo by Kris Craig/USA TODAY Network.
New England receiver Ty Montgomery returned two kickoffs for a total of 62 yards, caught two passes for nine yards, and rushed once for seven yards in New England's 25-20 loss to visiting Philadelphia. Montgomery had a 43-yard return to the Patriots' 44-yard line in the first quarter that went for naught.
Colby Parkinson. Photo by Steven Bisig/USA TODAY Sports.
Seattle tight end Colby Parkinson had one catch for eight yards and returned a kickoff 16 yards in the Seahawks' 30-13 loss to the visiting Los Angeles Rams. Parkinson earned a 73.0 rating from Pro Football Focus – the fifth-highest among NFL tight ends in Week One.
Bobby Okereke (right) on the tackle. Photo by Vincent Carchietta/USA TODAY Sports.
New York Giants' starting middle linebacker Bobby Okereke had five tackles, including four solo, and forced a fumble in the Giants' 40-0 loss to visiting Dallas. Okereke earned a 72.1 grade from Pro Football Focus – the 25th-highest among linebackers throughout the league in Week One.
In his first game for Houston, tight end Dalton Schultz caught two passes for four yards in the Texans' 25-9 loss at Baltimore. Schultz played 62 snaps and had a 71.6 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus.
Dalton Schultz. Photo by Brad Mills/USA TODAY Sports.
Jacksonville Walker Little started at offensive left tackle – his seventh career start -- in the Jaguars' 31-21 victory at Indianapolis. Little earned a 76.4 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus and a 68.0 grade overall.
Miami punter Jake Bailey had one kick for 38 yards and held for placekicks in the Dolphins' 36-34 victory at Sofi Stadium against the host Los Angeles Chargers. Foster Sarell saw action at offensive tackle on special teams for the Chargers.
New York Jets' defensive lineman Solomon Thomas had a solo tackle in the Jets' overtime 22-16 victory over visiting Buffalo and earned a 63.0 run-defense grade from Pro Football Focus.
Cincinnati receiver Trenton Irwin played 12 offensive snaps, but did not catch a pass in the Bengals' 24-3 loss at Cleveland.
Houston quarterback Davis Mills and Denver offensive linemen Cameron Fleming did not play.
Arizona tight end Elijah Higgins, Seattle cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly, and Philadelphia quarterback Tanner McKee were inactive.
Miami cornerback Ethan Bonner, Philadelphia defensive lineman Thomas Booker, Pittsburgh receiver Simi Fehoko, Atlanta tight end Tucker Fisk, Cincinnati safety Michael Thomas, Washington receiver Brycen Tremayne, and Chicago safety Kendall Williamson were on practice squads.
Carolina defensive lineman Henry Anderson and Washington tight end Kaden Smith were on injured reserve.
In the Canadian Football League, defensive lineman James Vaughters was on the injured list of the Calgary Stampeders after having five sacks and two forced fumbles in six games. And defensive lineman Thomas Schaffer was on the practice squad of the Ottawa Redblacks and has played in six games.