Sooners in the NFL: Week 1

The 2016 NFL season began last week with 36 former Sooners signed to NFL rosters, including 26 on active 53-man rosters, seven on practice squads, two on injured/reserved and one on the physically unable to perform list.

Rookies Take Center Stage

Two former Sooners made their NFL debuts during the opening week of the season as second round pick Sterling Shepard found the end zone in his first game with the New York Giants, while undrafted linebacker Dominique Alexander suited up for Cleveland.

Shepard made a big impact in his first game, catching three passes for 43 yards, including the first touchdown of his career which game in the second quarter on a great leaping grab for a nine-yard touchdown. Later in the game, Shepard picked up 20 yards on another reception.

Alexander made one tackle in his first game, bringing down Darren Sproles on a punt late in the third quarter as Cleveland fell to Philadelphia, 29-10.

Tampa Bay Linebacker Devante Bond and Dallas defensive end Charles Tapper will each have to wait at least another week to make their NFL debuts. Both were made inactive as Bond is dealing with a hamstring injury and Tapper has had issues with his back.

Same Faces, New Places

In addition to the two rookies suiting up for the first time, three former Sooners debuted with new teams in Week 1.

One of the biggest acquisitions of the offseason was the trade that sent running back DeMarco Murray to Tennessee. Murray made his debut with the Titans Sunday in a 25-16 loss to Minnesota. He rushed 13 times for 42 yards, but also caught five passes for 35 yards, including a six-yard touchdown reception featuring an impressive front flip and another score from four yards out. He even showed off some of his lead-blocking abilities.

Another one of the biggest trades occurred right before the season started as Sam Bradford was dealt from Philadelphia to Minnesota. Acquired eight days before the season opener, Bradford did not play for the Vikings against the Titans, though he could start Sunday against Green Bay.

After spending the first four seasons of his career as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, Donald Stephenson stayed within the division and joined the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos. He started at right tackle in the team's 21-20 victory over Carolina Thursday night, and helped lead the way on C.J. Anderson's 1-yard touchdown run.

Notable Performances

Gerald McCoy deflected a fourth-down pass to preserve Tampa Bay's 31-24 win over Atlanta and finished with three tackles, including two tackles for loss, one of which was a sack, and had another pass breakup ... Chris Chester started at right guard for the Falcons in the loss ... safety Tony Jefferson notched 10 tackles and tight end Jermaine Gresham caught four passes for 41 yards but it wasn't enough for Arizona in a 23-21 loss to New England ... fullback Aaron Ripkowski saw playing time during Green Bay's 27-23 win over Jacksonville and helped spring Eddy Lacy for a 27-yard run ... Adrian Peterson ran 19 times for 31 yards in Minnesota's win over Tennessee ...

Defensive tackle Jordan Phillips had four tackles, including a sack, Kenny Stills caught one pass for 16 yards and Damien Williams ran twice for nine yards, caught one pass for 29 yards and returned one kick for 17 yards as Miami was stunned late by Seattle, 12-10 ... linebacker Corey Nelson recorded two tackles in Denver's victory over Carolina ... Oakland defensive tackle Stacy McGee made one stop as the Raiders won at New Orleans, 35-34 ... Tress Way punted once for 27 yards and Trent Williams started at left tackle Monday night in Washington's 38-16 loss to Pittsburgh ... Lane Johnson started at right tackle for the Eagles in their win over Cleveland

This and That

The following players appeared in game action but did not record any stats: tight end Blake Bell (San Francisco), offensive lineman Daryl Williams (Carolina) and long snapper James Winchester (Kansas City)

The following players did not play: cornerback Aaron Colvin (Jacksonville) and quarterback Landry Jones (Pittsburgh)

Rookies Take Center Stage

Same Faces, New Places

Notable Performances

This and That

Players Mentioned

Dominique Alexander

Devante Bond

Sterling Shepard

Charles Tapper

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics