Former Razorbacks open NFL season

The NFL season officially kicked off Thursday night in Philadelphia with former Razorback Jason Peters and the defending Super Bowl champions taking on the Atlanta Falcons. Peters is one of 13 former Hogs to open the season on an active NFL roster.

Brandon Allen – Los Angeles Rams – Allen enters his third season in the NFL and second with the Rams after spending his rookie season in Jacksonville. Allen will likely be the third QB for the Rams this year. The Rams open their season on Monday Night Football at Oakland.

Alex Collins – Baltimore Ravens – Collins ran for 973 yards and six TDs last year for the Ravens and is expected to tote the rock again in a big role this season. The Ravens open their season on Sunday against Buffalo.

A.J. Derby – Miami Dolphins – The Dolphins will be Derby’s third NFL squad after spending a year with the New England Patriots and two with the Denver Broncos. The Dolphins start the year at home against Tennessee on Sunday.

Trey Flowers – New England Patriots – Flowers did not play in any preseason games for the Pats but figures to be one of the team’s best defenders again this season. New England kicks off the 2018 campaign on Sunday hosting Houston.

Keon Hatcher – Oakland Raiders – Hatcher’s impressive preseason earned him a spot on Jon Gruden’s Raiders squad. The former Hog WR caught eight passes for 128 yards and three scores in the final preseason game to sew up a spot on the 53-man roster. The Raiders begin the second Gruden era on Monday night football against the Los Angeles Rams.

Mitchell Loewen – New Orleans Saints – After making headlines in the offseason for lifting a car off an accident victim, Loewen opens his second season with the Saints on Sunday against the Bucaneers.

Jason Peters – Philadelphia Eagles – Peters continues a Hall of Fame career in his 15th season in the League. One of the best tackles in football was on the field for the Eagles on Thursday night after recovering from knee surgery.

Darius Philon – Los Angeles Chargers – Philon enters his fourth season with the Chargers. The former Hog had a career-best 4.5 sacks last season. The Chargers open against Kansas City at home on Sunday.

Frank Ragnow – Detroit Lions – The first round pick of the Lions is expected to start on the line in front of QB Matt Stafford on Sunday in the opener at home against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.

Chris Smith – Cleveland Browns – Smith is back with the Browns after spending last season with Cincinnati. The Browns start the season against the Steelers on Sunday.

Jeremy Sprinkle – Washington Redskins – Sprinkle is heading into his second year with the Redskins after playing in 11 games as a rookie last season. The Redskins open the year at Arizona on Sunday.

Deatrich Wise Jr. – New England Patriots – Wise starts his second year with the Patriots after a solid rookie season. Wise and Flowers give the Patriots an Arkansas flavor up front on the defensive line.

Jarius Wright – Carolina Panthers – After six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Wright joins the Panthers. Wright opens up the 2018 season with his new team against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

Practice Squad/Reserve/Injured

Hunter Henry – Los Angeles Chargers – The Chargers’ TE was set to take over for a retired Antonio Gates but instead Henry tore his ACL and will miss the 2018 season.

Cody Hollister – New England – Hollister will miss the season after undergoing back surgery.

Jeremiah Ledbetter – Tampa Bay Bucaneers – Ledbetter played in 16 games for the Detroit Lions last season and signed with the Bucs’ practice squad for this season.

Tevin Mitchel – Oakland Raiders – Mitchel was placed on injured reserve by the Raiders prior to the season.

Dan Skipper – Detroit Lions – Skipper heads into his second season in pro football and second on the Lions’ practice squad.

David Williams – Denver Broncos – Williams was selected by the Broncos this past spring and begins the season on the team’s practice squad.

Jonathan Williams – New Orleans Saints – A late cut by the Saints, Williams was quickly signed to the practice squad.