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18 Former Kentucky Players Make NFL Week 1 Active Rosters
By Adam Stratton,
3 hours ago
Happy NFL Week 1, everybody. This year, 18 former Kentucky players will suit up for a professional football team as a member of their respective 53-man rosters. Kentucky’s players represent the entire spectrum of talent with big name superstars like Josh Hines-Allen all the way down to undrafted free agents who played their way on to a team like Brenden Bates .
Speaking of Bates, the New York Jets picked him up after the Chicago Bears foolishly released him following a great preseason performance. PFF graded Bates as the highest rated rookie tight end during the preseason so it is no surprise a tight-end needy team would scoop him up.
Eight former Kentucky players just barely missed the active roster cut for their teams but will start the season on the practice squad. Teams can call up and activate these players on any given week based on injuries or performance-based reasons.
The most surprising player on this list is Chris Rodriguez Jr. , who the Commanders cut at the end of the preseason. Veteran Jeremy McNichols beat out C-Rod for the final running back spot, but don’t be surprised if we see the former ‘Cat getting touches for the Commanders this season.
Elsewhere around the league, the Cincinnati Bengals picked up Tashawn Manning for their practice squad after the Ravens waived the former OVW intern. Similarly, the Carolina Panthers picked up Lonnie Johnson Jr. after the Houston Texans cut him, the Seattle Seahawks picked up Quinton Bohanna after a short stent with the Tennessee Titans, and the Dallas Cowboys signed Phil Hoskins after spending the preseason with the Arizona Cardinals.
Finally, a shoutout to Bryce Oliver who made the Titans’ practice squad after a tremendous preseason performance.
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