Purdue in the Pros: Week 1
Ten former Purdue players suited up on NFL rosters this weekend to kick off the year. GoldandBlack.com looks at how each Boilermaker fared in the opening weekend of the 2024 season.
DERRICK BARNES – DETROIT LIONS
Barnes racked up four tackles while playing 64 of 78 possible snaps on defense as the Lions snuck past the Rams 26-20 in overtime on Sunday night. Detroit will stay home to host Tampa Bay at 1 p.m. E.T. on Sunday.
JA’WHAUN BENTLEY – NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Bentley led the Patriots with 12 tackles, including half a sack, as the Patriots pulled off a 16-10 upset win over the Bengals. He played all 51 defensive snaps, as well. New England hosts Seattle for a 1 p.m. E.T. kickoff next weekend as it looks to move to 2-0.
PAYNE DURHAM – TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Durham played 17 snaps at tight end, mostly as a blocker, and played five more on special teams in the Buccaneers 37-20 win over the Commanders. He did not see any targets in the pass game.
CHARLIE JONES – CINCINNATI BENGALS
Jones caught one pass for five yards and returned four punts for 22 yards, including a fumble, in the Bengals’ surprising 16-10 season-opening loss to the Patriots. He saw eight snaps on offense and five on the punt return unit. Jones and his teammates will hope for better in week two when they travel to Kansas City for a 4:25 p.m. E.T. kickoff.
RAHEEM MOSTERT – MIAMI DOLPHINS
Mostert carried the ball six times for nine yards and caught two passes for 10 yards as the Dolphins edged the Jaguars in a Sunshine State battle to open the season. The speedster projects to split carries with DeVon Achane out of the backfield, as Mostert played just 31 of 71 offensive snaps, but he’ll hope for a bigger game when Miami hosts Buffalo on Thursday night.
SANOUSSI KANE – BALTIMORE RAVENS
Though he didn’t see any action on defense, Kane played 20 special teams snaps in his first NFL game. He lined up with nearly every special teams unit as the Ravens fell to the Chiefs 27-20 on Thursday. Baltimore hosts Las Vegas at 1 p.m. E.T. next week.
GEORGE KARLAFTIS – KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Karlaftis played 64 of 80 snaps in the Chiefs’ 27-20 win over the Ravens, pulling in two tackles and pressuring the quarterback six times. Kansas City continues its quest for a third straight Super Bowl on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. E.T.
AIDAN O’CONNELL – LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
O’Connell, serving as the backup quarterback, did not play in the Raiders’ 22-10 loss to the Chargers. He and Las Vegas will hit the road to take on Sanoussi Kane and Baltimore at 1 p.m. E.T. on Sunday.
TYRONE TRACY – NEW YORK GIANTS
Tracy made his NFL debut in the Giants’ 28-6 loss to the Vikings, seeing 14 snaps at running back and five on the kick return unit. He carried the ball twice for two yards and caught a five-yard pass. New York will take on Washington at 1 p.m. E.T. on Sunday.
CORY TRICE – PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Making his NFL debut, Trice played seven snaps in the defensive backfield and seven on special teams in the Steelers’ 18-10 win over the Falcons, though he did not record any stats. Pittsburgh hits the road to take on Denver at 4:25 p.m. E.T. on Sunday.
