Sooners in the NFL: Preseason Week 1

NORMAN – With the first week of preseason games for the 2015 NFL season complete, take a look at the 40 former Sooners currently on an active roster to see how they performed during the opening week.

Frank Alexander had one quarterback hurry in Carolina's 25-24 win over Buffalo. He is listed as starter at right defensive end on the team's depth chart, but head coach Ron Rivera is still looking for a defensive end to step up. Rookie Daryl Williams also saw playing time and is listed as a backup at right tackle on the Panthers' depth chart.

Rookie Blake Bell started at tight end and caught two passes for 15 yards in San Francisco's 23-10 loss to Houston. Starter Vernon Davis was held out, but Bell did have more offensive snaps (17) than any other tight end. Also in the game former OU fullback Trey Millard made his pro debut after missing all of last season due to injury. He recorded one tackle on special teams against the Texans.

Two of the Philadelphia Eagles' high-profile offseason additions did not see game action in the preseason opener against Indianapolis. Running back DeMarco Murray did not play, while quarterback Sam Bradford was not made active in the team's 36-10 win over the Colts. Both are expected to make their debut this Saturday against Baltimore. One former Sooner that did play in the contest was Lane Johnson, who got the start at right tackle.

Wide receiver Ryan Broyles caught two passes for 17 yards and returned one punt for seven yards as the Detroit Lions beat the New York Jets, 23-3. Broyles finds himself third on the Lions' unofficial depth chart at both receiver and punt returner, but he made the most headlines so far in camp for his financial acumen.

Also for Detroit, linebacker Travis Lewis had five tackles, including two on special teams. He's currently listed as the backup middle linebacker on the team's depth chart.

After spending the past four seasons in Washington, Chris Chester has found a new home in Atlanta and has made his presence known already. He's listed atop the Falcons' depth chart at right guard and got the start in their preseason-opening 31-24 win over Tennessee.

For the Titans, Gabe Ikard is listed as the team's No. 3 center after missing all of last season due to injury.

Fully recovered from his ACL tear, cornerback Aaron Colvin has asserted himself atop Jacksonville's depth chart at cornerback. He started the preseason opener against Pittsburgh and made two tackles in the Jaguars' 23-21 win over the Steelers. He's seen time in camp both inside and outside.

Colvin went up against former teammate Landry Jones and former Sooner Garrett Hartley in the win over Pittsburgh. Jones saw the majority of action at quarterback for the Steelers, completing 24 of 46 passes for 200 yards, including a four-yard touchdown pass. Results have been mixed through two preseason games, however, for the former Sooners' signal-caller. Hartley, who signed with Pittsburgh on Aug. 11 in hopes of getting a fresh start, made both field goal attempts as he connected from 29 and 48 yards and handled kickoff duties.

Listed as a backup on the team's unofficial depth chart, Jamell Fleming started at cornerback for Kansas City in its 34-19 win over Arizona, finishing with two tackles. Meanwhile, Donald Stephenson, who is listed as the team's starting right tackle, did not start but saw playing time. In addition, James Winchester split time as the team's long snapper on kicks, though he is currently listed as the No. 1 option at the position.

On the other sideline, Tony Jefferson started at strong safety and had two tackles. Tight end Jermaine Gresham signed with the Cardinals in late July but did not play in the preseason opener as he is still recovering from a back injury.

Rookie Geneo Grissom made two tackles in New England's preseason loss to Green Bay. He's listed as the third-string defensive end on the left side but his showing his versatility in camp. Defensive tackle Casey Walker signed with the Patriots as a free agent on Aug. 14. It is a reunion of sorts as he spent part of the 2014 season with New England, playing in five games.

Another rookie, fullback Aaron Ripkowski, was on the winning side of the Packers-Patriots contest, making two tackles on special teams in a 22-11 victory. There is a logjam currently in the Packers' backfield, where he is listed as the backup fullback, but Ripkowski's value on special teams is helping his cause.

James Hanna started at tight end for Dallas in its 17-7 loss to San Diego, catching two passes for 11 yards.

Demontre Hurst, listed as a third-string safety, saw playing time but did not record any stats in Chicago's 27-10 win over Miami.

Two former Sooners suited up for the Dolphins in their loss. Rookie defensive tackle Jordan Phillips made his pro debut with one tackle. Listed as a backup, Phillips impressed Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin. Second-year running back Damien Williams appears to have the No. 2 running back job locked up. He had a team-high seven rushes for 20 yards and caught two passes for 28 yards, including a 17-yard catch and run. Traded to Miami in the offseason, wide receiver Kenny Stills did not play due to a calf injury. He returned to practice Monday and put on a show.

Seattle's David King did not play against Denver due to injury and is listed as a third-string defensive tackle on the left side.

Former Sooners that did play for the Broncos in the team's 22-20 win over the Seahawks included second-year linebacker Corey Nelson and rookie defensive end Chuka Ndulue. Both listed as third-stringers, the pair combined on a tackle in the fourth quarter, while Nelson added three additional stops.

Phil Loadholt started at right tackle for Minnesota in its 26-16 win over Tampa Bay, but suffered a torn left Achilles tendon and will miss the season after being placed on injured reserve. Rookie Tyrus Thompson saw playing time in the game and is listed as a backup at right guard. Running back Adrian Peterson did not play in the game and will not play at all in the preseason.

Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy had one tackle for Tampa Bay in the loss to Minnesota.

Curtis Lofton made his Oakland debut by starting at middle linebacker and assisting on a tackle in an 18-3 win over St. Louis. Stacy McGee also saw playing time for Oakland but did not record any stats. He is listed as a backup at nose tackle.

Wide receiver Jalen Saunders did not play for New Orleans in the team's 30-27 loss to Baltimore because of an injury.

Trent Williams started at left tackle for Washington in its 20-17 victory at Cleveland. Additionally, Tress Way punted three times for an average of 32.7 yards per kick.

Players Mentioned

Blake Bell

Geneo Grissom

Chuka Ndulue

Jordan Phillips

Aaron Ripkowski

Tyrus Thompson

Daryl Williams

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