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Football

Stanford in the NFL: Week 1 Recap

Two NFL debuts and a CMC sighting in Australia highlight Week 1

STANFORD, Calif. — The 2026 NFL season began this week, with 26 Stanford Cardinal taking the gridiron for the first time during the new league year. Former Stanford greats played big roles in games spanning from the East Coast all the way to Australia.

Below is a breakdown of each performance by a former Cardinal in Week 1:

San Francisco 49ers 27, Los Angeles Rams 7

  • Christian McCaffrey (SF): Carried the ball 10 times for 68 yards and added five receptions for 20 yards…his 6.8 yards per carry was his best in a game with at least 10 carries since Dec. 25, 2023, vs. Baltimore (7.4 yards per carry).
  • Colby Parkinson (LAR): One of two starting tight ends for the Rams, playing 47 offensive snaps to lead the tight end room…received two targets and caught one pass for six yards.

Detroit Lions 31, New Orleans Saints 30 (OT)

  • Justin Reid (NO): Named a captain in advance of the team’s Week 1 game…started and played all 77 defensive snaps…finished third on the Saints in tackles with eight, including five solo and one for loss…was just his third tackle-for-loss with the Saints, and his first in a season opener.

New York Jets 23, Tennessee Titans 10

  • Harrison Phillips (NYJ): Started at defensive tackle for the Jets and played on 27 defensive snaps…tallied one tackle and one quarterback hit…was his 80th NFL start.
  • Elic Ayomanor (TEN): Received three targets in the season-opening loss…turned his only reception into an 11-yard touchdown, the fifth touchdown in his 17th NFL game.
  • Solomon Thomas (TEN): Played 20 snaps on the defensive line in his first game with the Titans…recorded one tackle and one quarterback hurry.

Pittsburgh Steelers 20, Atlanta Falcons 13

    • Jake Bailey (ATL): Punted six times for an average of 48.2 yards, landing three inside the 20-yard line…had a long of 60 yards…one of seven punters in the league with a 60-yard punt…his 289 punt yards were fifth-most in Week 1.
    • Austin Hooper (ATL): Played 19 total snaps in the first game of his 11th NFL season, the only former Cardinal active in the league in Week 1 to play at least 11 seasons.

Chicago Bears 59, Carolina Panthers 37

    • Sam Roush (CHI): Played on all 28 special teams snaps and 12 offensive snaps, making his NFL debut…became the 272nd former Stanford player to appear in an NFL or AFL game.
    • Bobby Okereke (CAR): Started at linebacker and played 66 defensive snaps, finishing third on the team in tackles with six…on the first drive of the game, punched a ball loose from Luther Burden III for a fumble, his first since 2024 and the 12th forced fumble of his NFL career…added one tackle-for-loss.
    • Brycen Tremayne (CAR): Played 34 total snaps, including 12 at wide receiver.

Jacksonville Jaguars 34, Cleveland Browns 10

      • Walker Little (JAX): Entered the game in the second half and played 21 snaps at left tackle.
      • CJ Williams (JAX): Played six special teams snaps in his NFL debut…became the 273rd former Stanford player to appear in an NFL or AFL game.

Buffalo Bills 36, Houston Texans 31

      • Dalton Schultz (HOU): Started at tight end and finished second on the team in targets (8) and receptions (4)…went for 35 yards in the season opener.

Las Vegas Raiders 27, Miami Dolphins 13

      • Thomas Booker IV (LV): Played 19 snaps on the defensive line in the season-opening win…added two tackles and one quarterback hit.

Arizona Cardinals 26, Los Angeles Chargers 14

      • Michael Wilson (ARI): One of the primary targets for Jacoby Brissett, turning seven targets into five receptions for 56 yards…three of his receptions went for first downs.
      • Simi Fehoko (ARI): Played 21 total snaps, including 15 on special teams…in the fourth quarter, blocked a punt that was recovered at the 3-yard line…first former Cardinal to block a punt since 2020.
      • Elijah Higgins (ARI): Played 26 total snaps, including 20 at tight end.
      • Kendall Williamson (LAC): Appeared on 16 special teams snaps.

New York Giants 28, Dallas Cowboys 20

        • Paulson Adebo (NYG): Played 18 total snaps, with his 10 snaps at cornerback coming in the fourth quarter….recorded two tackles.

Did not play in Week 1: Ethan Bonner (MIA), Tanner McKee (PHI), Davis Mills (HOU), Curtis Robinson (DAL), Foster Sarell (SF), Collin Wright (HOU)