WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The 2023-24 NFL season is officially underway following the NFL Kickoff Weekend. Nine Purdue alumni took the field in week one, with several Boilers making big waves in the first week of the season.
One of the best performances came from Miami running back Raheem Mostert who opened his ninth NFL season at age 31. The 2015 grad led the Dolphins in rushing with 37 yards on 10 carries and one touchdown to go with two receptions on two targets for 13 yards.
Mostert's touchdown was the only touchdown scored by a Boilermaker in week one and was a big part of the Dolphins win against the L.A. Chargers.
Derrick Barnes provided a notable week for the Detroit Lions on opening night, as Detroit knocked off the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs and reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs led the NFL in points per game in 2022 with 29.2 PPG. The Lions defense held the Chiefs to only 20 points, in Kansas City. One big aspect of that defense was Barnes who co-led the team in tackles with six total, four solo, and one tackle-for-loss.
George Karlaftis was the other Boilermaker playing on opening night, starting his second season with the Chiefs. The 2022 first-round pick finished week one with seven total tackles, three solo, one tackle for loss, and one pass breakup.
Linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley was the bright spot of the New England Patriots defense after their loss to Philadelphia on Sunday. Holding the Eagles below their season average from 2022, Bentley tallied a team-leading nine total tackles, three solo, and one tackle for loss.
Five other former Purdue players also saw action this week. Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore hauled in a 31-yard reception against the Washington Commanders. He finished the game with three catches on three targets for 33 yards. Moore was also a part of the ground game for Arizona, finishing with two rushing attempts for 12 total yards.
Charlie Jones made his NFL debut as the punt returner for the Cincinnati Bengals. Jones returned three punts for 24 total yards against Cleveland. Fellow Bengal linebacker Markus Bailey notched one tackle on Sunday for the Bengals.
On the other sideline in that game, Browns wide receiver David Bell was targeted once with no receptions.
Los Angeles Rams tight end Brycen Hopkins hauled in a 21-yard reception on two targets in a win against Seattle on Sunday.
OTHER BOILERMAKERS IN THE NFL
• Payne Durham (Tampa Bay) – Was listed inactive
• Aidan O'Connell (Las Vegas) – Was listed inactive
• Jalen Graham (San Francisco) – Was listed inactive
• Corey Trice (Pittsburgh) – Injured reserve
• David Blough (Detroit) – Practice squad
• Zander Horvath (Pittsburgh) – Practice squad
• Jordan Roos (Tennessee) – Practice squad
• Anthony Brown (Pittsburgh) – Practice squad
One of the best performances came from Miami running back Raheem Mostert who opened his ninth NFL season at age 31. The 2015 grad led the Dolphins in rushing with 37 yards on 10 carries and one touchdown to go with two receptions on two targets for 13 yards.
Mostert's touchdown was the only touchdown scored by a Boilermaker in week one and was a big part of the Dolphins win against the L.A. Chargers.
Fight your way through @RMos_8Ball 🎱
— Purdue Football (@BoilerFootball) September 10, 2023
📺 | #MIAvsLAC on CBS
pic.twitter.com/7K8K4HBx7Q
Derrick Barnes provided a notable week for the Detroit Lions on opening night, as Detroit knocked off the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs and reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs led the NFL in points per game in 2022 with 29.2 PPG. The Lions defense held the Chiefs to only 20 points, in Kansas City. One big aspect of that defense was Barnes who co-led the team in tackles with six total, four solo, and one tackle-for-loss.
George Karlaftis was the other Boilermaker playing on opening night, starting his second season with the Chiefs. The 2022 first-round pick finished week one with seven total tackles, three solo, one tackle for loss, and one pass breakup.
Linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley was the bright spot of the New England Patriots defense after their loss to Philadelphia on Sunday. Holding the Eagles below their season average from 2022, Bentley tallied a team-leading nine total tackles, three solo, and one tackle for loss.
Five other former Purdue players also saw action this week. Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore hauled in a 31-yard reception against the Washington Commanders. He finished the game with three catches on three targets for 33 yards. Moore was also a part of the ground game for Arizona, finishing with two rushing attempts for 12 total yards.
We see you @moore_rondale 👀#BirdGang pic.twitter.com/zHhiZSaVHp
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 10, 2023
Charlie Jones made his NFL debut as the punt returner for the Cincinnati Bengals. Jones returned three punts for 24 total yards against Cleveland. Fellow Bengal linebacker Markus Bailey notched one tackle on Sunday for the Bengals.
On the other sideline in that game, Browns wide receiver David Bell was targeted once with no receptions.
Los Angeles Rams tight end Brycen Hopkins hauled in a 21-yard reception on two targets in a win against Seattle on Sunday.
OTHER BOILERMAKERS IN THE NFL
• Payne Durham (Tampa Bay) – Was listed inactive
• Aidan O'Connell (Las Vegas) – Was listed inactive
• Jalen Graham (San Francisco) – Was listed inactive
• Corey Trice (Pittsburgh) – Injured reserve
• David Blough (Detroit) – Practice squad
• Zander Horvath (Pittsburgh) – Practice squad
• Jordan Roos (Tennessee) – Practice squad
• Anthony Brown (Pittsburgh) – Practice squad