:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69860906/1339391680.0.jpg)
The first week of the 2021 NFL season is complete. Here is how all the former Arizona Wildcats around the league fared.
Rob Gronkowski, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It was business as usual for the 32-year-old tight end, who caught eight passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns in the NFL season opener against Dallas.
Do your thing, Gronk pic.twitter.com/rge3QCBOr2
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) September 10, 2021
Both of Gronk’s TD receptions came inside the red zone, where he and quarterback Tom Brady have done so much damage over the years.
Gronk now has 102 career TD catches and shows little sign of slowing down as long as he is on the same field as Brady. His brother Chris, a former linebacker at Arizona, told TMZ recently, “Whatever Tom has left, I think that’s what Rob has left as well.”
Nick Folk, K, New England Patriots
Folk was elevated to New England’s active roster just ahead of the Patriots’ opener against the Miami Dolphins. He went 3 for 3 on field goal attempts, with a long of 42 yards.
Only a few weeks ago the Patriots were expected to release Folk in favor of undrafted free agent pickup Quinn Nordin, but Folk’s experience ultimately won out.
The kicker competition in Foxborough will be a fascinating storyline to follow in the coming weeks.
Roy Lopez, DL, Houston Texans
Lopez had 20 defensive snaps and played on special teams in his debut for the Texans against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Here he is creating havoc for Jacksonville’s run attack.
#Texans young DTs defending the run
— Jordan (@Texans_Thoughts) September 14, 2021
Ross Blacklock played fast and dominated his matchup vs RG AJ Cann, got upfield but closed the lane well
Roy Lopez holds his ground then reads the RB over the left shoulder of Norwell and then the right shoulder, shedding and making the tackl pic.twitter.com/5ijLTT0LtJ
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, DB, San Francisco 49ers
Flannigan-Fowles recorded three tackles in San Francisco’s game road win over the Detroit Lions. He played 17 snaps on defense but was slowed down by cramps.
Flannigan-Fowles now down on the field with what appears to be cramps.
— Jennifer Lee Chan (@jenniferleechan) September 12, 2021
Gary Brightwell, RB, New York Giants
Brightwell made his pro debut on special teams in the Giants’ home loss to the Denver Broncos and was also in on eight offensive snaps. He caught a 6-yard pass from Daniel Jones during the Giants’ final drive of the game.
Dane Cruikshank, S, Tennessee Titans
Cruikshank played 10 defensive snaps in Tennessee’s game against the Arizona Cardinals but did not record any stats.
J.J. Taylor, RB, New England Patriots
Taylor was one of six inactive players for the Patriots in Week One. New England’s decision to not suit up Taylor speaks to where he stands among the team’s deep running back group.
Nick Foles, QB, Chicago Bears
Foles did not play in the Bears’ game against the Los Angeles Rams. He is Chicago’s third-string quarterback behind Andy Dalton and Justin Fields.