The NFL regular season officially kicks off on Thursday night when the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots raise another championship banner. Here’s a rundown of all our Tech alums in the NFL and who to watch in Week One. All times listed are Eastern.
Sunday, Sept. 10
N.Y. Jets at Buffalo – 1 p.m.
QB Tyrod Taylor embarks on his seventh NFL campaign and his third as the starter in Buffalo. The former Tech signal caller returned to practice on Monday after suffering a concussion in Week Three of the preseason. He did not play in the final preseason contest. Taylor will have a new receiving target as his disposal this season. Logan Thomas also played quarterback at Tech, but has made the Bills’ roster as a tight end.
Monday, Sept. 11
New Orleans at Minnesota – 7:10 p.m.
The Saints share the distinction of having a pair of Hokies on their active roster along with Buffalo. DE Darryl Tapp enters his 11th NFL campaign, while rookie RB Trey Edmunds is ready to begin his initial NFL season. Tapp is the longest-tenured Tech player in the league and owns the distinction of being the only defensive player to being presented a lunch pail on a permanent basis by Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster.
S Antone Exum is healthy and will take the field for Minnesota Vikings as part of a Monday Night Football doubleheader. TE Bucky Hodges (Vikings) and WR Corey Fuller (Saints) were both placed on injured reserve for their respective teams and will start the season on the sidelines.
Other Sunday Games Featuring Hokies
Atlanta at Chicago – 1 p.m.
CB Kyle Fuller and the Chicago Bears will host the defending NFC Champions. This will be a comeback season for Fuller as he missed all of last season recovering from a knee injury. Fuller is entering his fourth NFL campaign after joining the Bears as a first-round pick in 2014.
Baltimore at Cincinnati – 1 p.m.
S Chuck Clark begins his rookie season with Baltimore as the Ravens travel to face the Cincinnati Bengals. TE Ryan Malleck was added to the Ravens practice squad.
Philadelphia at Washington – 1 p.m.
Kendal Fuller and the Washington Redskins will take on the Philadelphia Eagles at. S DeAngelo Hall is still on the PUP list as he is rehabbing from a torn ACL suffered last season. Tech alum Torian Gray is member of the Redskins’ staff while alums Eugene Chung and Keith Gray are both on the Eagles’ staff.
Indianapolis at Los Angeles – 4:05 p.m.
The L.A. Rams will face the Indianapolis Colts . RB Sam Rogers is a member of the Rams’ practice squad and won’t suit up for this contest.
Seattle at Green Bay – 4:25 p.m.
Kam Chancellor plans to lead defensive juggernaut that is the Seattle Seahawks against the Green Bay Packers. Former Hokies’ S Nick Sorensen serves as secondary coach for the Seahawks.
