Stanford in the NFL: Week 1Stanford in the NFL: Week 1
Football

Stanford in the NFL: Week 1

A summary of how Card alums fared in the opening week of the regular season

WITH KICKER JOSHUA KARTY'S debut on Sunday for the Los Angeles Rams, 267 Stanford alumni have played in NFL or AFL regular-season football games. 

Karty’s appearance, and perfect night for the Los Angeles Rams, was among the highlights for former Cardinal in the NFL in Week 1. Altogether, 21 alums played and 12 started throughout the league, which opened its 2024 season Thursday in Kansas City. There are 29 former Cardinal on NFL rosters. 

Upholding its reputation as Tight End U., five Cardinal alums played tight end in the NFL’s opening week, with three starting. 

Here is the Stanford rundown of Week 1 in the NFL:

Miami starting punter Jake Bailey averaged 49.5 yards for his four punts and had three downed inside the 20-yard line in the Dolphins’ 20-17 victory over visiting Jacksonville. He earned a grade of 75.7 by Pro Football Focus, No. 2 among NFL punters. Two of Bailey’s punts were downed at the 3 and only one of his four were returned, and only for three yards. Bailey’s net was 48.8 yards. Bailey, also a holder on placekicks, is in his sixth NFL season and second with the Dolphins. Jacksonville offensive tackle Walker Little was in on three special teams plays. Little is in his fourth NFL season, all with the Jaguars.

Minnesota starting defensive tackle Harrison Phillips had five tackles in the Vikings’ 28-6 victory at the New York Giants. Phillips had a sack, tackle for loss, quarterback hurry, and broke up a pass. Phillips, in his seventh NFL season and third with the Vikings, played 37 defensive snaps. On Tuesday, Phillips signed a two-year contract extension worth up to $19 million with over $13 million guaranteed.

Giants’ starting inside linebacker Bobby Okereke recovered a fumble and had three tackles. Okereke’s fumble recovery, at the Vikings’ 20, set up a field goal. Okereke, who played all 55 defensive plays, is in his sixth NFL season and second with the Giants. 


Making his NFL debut, Los Angeles Rams kicker Joshua Karty kicked a 41-yard field goal on his first play during a 26-20 overtime loss at Detroit. Karty was 2-for-2 in field-goal attempts, kicking a 26-yarder in the fourth quarter. Karty also was 2-for-2 on extra-point tries. Starting tight end Colby Parkinson had four catches for 47 yards in his Rams’ debut. Parkinson had two catches for 25 yards to help set up Kary’s first field goal, and three of his catches went for first downs. Parkinson, in his fifth NFL season, played 69 (88 percent) offensive snaps.

Two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs kicked off the NFL season on Thursday with a 27-20 victory over the visiting Baltimore Ravens, with Stanford alum Justin Reid starting at strong safety for the Chiefs. Reid had nine tackles, including a game-high eight solo. Reid was in on all 80 defensive plays, plus five on special teams. Reid is in his seventh NFL season, and third with Kansas City.

New Orleans starting left cornerback Paulson Adebo had five tackles and broke up a pass in the Saints’ 47-10 victory over visiting Carolina. A play before Carolina’s only touchdown, Adebo tackled quarterback Bryce Young and was ruled to have forced a fumble that was recovered by a Saints’ teammate. However, the call was reversed. Adebo, who has played all four NFL seasons for the Saints, played 54 (92 percent) defensive snaps. 

Houston starting tight end Dalton Schultz had three catches for 16 yards in the Texans’ 29-27 victory at Indianapolis. Schultz, a seven-year veteran in his second season with Houston, was in on 63 offensive plays.

Arizona starting wide receiver Michael Wilson scored the Cardinals’ first touchdown of the season, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a 34-28 loss at Buffalo. Wilson scored on a five-yard pass from Kyler Murray to cap off the 13-play, 70-yard opening drive. It was Wilson’s only catch. He was in on 49 (80 percent) of Arizona’s plays. Arizona tight end Elijah Higgins had two catches for 12 yards. Higgins, in his second NFL season, both with the Cardinals, played 25 offensive snaps and 10 on special teams. Buffalo defensive end Casey Toohill had one tackle while playing 11 defensive snaps and 13 on special teams. It was Toohill’s debut for Buffalo and fifth year in the NFL.


New England tight end Austin Hooper had two catches for 31 yards in the Patriots’ 16-10 victory at Cincinnati. Hooper, in his New England debut and ninth NFL season, made a 16-yard catch that helped the Patriots to their only touchdown and had a 15-yarder in the fourth quarter that led to a field goal. He played 36 offensive snaps and earned a 69.1 receiving grade – seventh among tight ends – by Pro Football Focus. Cincinnati starting wide receiver Trenton Irwin had one catch for six yards. Irwin, in his sixth NFL season, all with the Bengals, was in on 33 snaps. 

Philadelphia defensive tackle Thomas Booker assisted on one tackle, a third-down stop of Josh Jacobs, in the Eagles’ 34-29 victory over Green Bay in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Friday. Booker was in on eight defensive plays and two on special teams. Booker is in his third NFL season and second with the Eagles. 

Atlanta starting center Drew Dalman played all 56 offensive snaps in the Falcons’ 18-10 loss to visiting Pittsburgh on Sunday. Dalman made a tackle after an interception and was given responsibility for a fumble in a miscommunication with new quarterback Kirk Cousins. Dalman is in his fourth NFL season, all with Atlanta.

Los Angeles Chargers receiver Simi Fehoko was in on nine offensive plays and 10 on special teams in a 22-10 home victory over Las Vegas. Fehoko is in his fourth NFL season and second with the Chargers. Offensive guard Andrus Peat, in his 10th NFL season, made his Raiders’ debut, playing three special teams snaps. 

Washington starting tight end Zach Ertz had three receptions for 28 yards in the Commanders’ 37-20 loss at Tampa Bay. His 12-yard reception in the fourth quarter set up a touchdown in his Commanders’ debut. Ertz, in his 12th NFL season, played 42 offensive snaps. 

San Francisco linebacker Curtis Robinson had a tackle among his 18 special teams plays in the 49ers’ 32-19 victory over the visiting New York Jets on Monday night. Robinson is in his fourth NFL season, all with the 49ers. New York defensive tackle Solomon Thomas played 38 defensive snaps. Thomas, in his eighth NFL season and third with the Jets, had four tackles, including three solo. 

San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey, Houston quarterback Davis Mills, and Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Foster Sarell did not play.

Philadelphia quarterback Tanner McKee and Miami cornerback Ethan Bonner were inactive.

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Tucker Fisk and Washington receiver Brycen Tremayne are on practice squads.

Pittsburgh offensive guard Nate Herbig is on injured reserve and out for the season.