A trio of former Tennessee standouts made notable contributions during the opening week of the 2026 NFL season, highlighted by Josh Palmer's game-winning touchdown catch for Buffalo, while several other Vols made their NFL debuts.
Palmer delivered one of the week's biggest plays, hauling in a 34-yard touchdown reception with 1:36 remaining to give the Bills a 36-31 victory over Houston.
Former Tennessee offensive lineman Trey Smith started at guard for the Kansas City Chiefs, playing all 69 offensive snaps in a 31-10 victory over Denver, while Darnell Wright logged 75 offensive snaps in the Bears' 59-37 victory over Carolina.
Several Tennessee products made their NFL debuts in Week 1. Giants cornerback Colton Hood played 18 total snaps in New York's 28-20 victory over Dallas, while Commanders outside linebacker Joshua Josephs saw 13 defensive snaps against Philadelphia.
Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor made his Tennessee debut, starting against the Jets and recording six tackles. Rams safety Jaylen McCollough notched six tackles against San Francisco in the NFL's first-ever game played in Australia.
Joey Aguilar – QB – JaguarsPractice squad.
Dominic Bailey – DT – TexansPractice squad.
Derek Barnett – DE – BrownsPlayed 17 defensive snaps at Jacksonville.
Chris Brazzell II – WR – PanthersInjured reserve.
Morgan Cox – LS – TitansSnapped nine times in the Titans' season opener against the Jets.
Joshua Dobbs – QB – LionsDid not see any action.
Bryson Eason – DT – ChiefsDid not see any action.
Princeton Fant – TE – CowboysInjured reserve.
Kamal Hadden – CB – PackersMade one tackle in the Packers contest at the Vikings.
Colton Hood – CB – GiantsMade his NFL debut in a 28-20 win over Dallas, playing 18 total snaps.
Hendon Hooker – QB – TitansPractice squad.
Jalin Hyatt – WR – GiantsPractice squad.
Theo Jackson – DB – VikingsNotched two tackles in Minnesota's 39-22 win over Green Bay.
Jauan Jennings – WR – VikingsPlayed 31 offensive snaps on Sunday against the Packers.
Velus Jones Jr. – WR – SeahawksPractice squad.
Joshua Josephs – OLB – CommandersMade his NFL debut against the Eagles, playing 13 defensive snaps.
Alvin Kamara – RB – SaintsDid not see any action.
Cade Mays – C – LionsInjured reserve.
Jaylen McCollough – S – RamsRecorded six tackles as the Rams battled the 49ers in the NFL's first-ever game played in Australia.
Jermod McCoy – CB – RaidersDid not see any action.
Jalen McMurray – CB – TitansPractice squad.
Joe Milton III – QB – CowboysPractice squad.
Omarr Norman-Lott – DT – ChiefsInjured reserve.
Josh Palmer – WR – BillsHauled in the game-winning 34-yard touchdown reception in Buffalo's 36-31 win over Houston with 1:36 remaining on the clock.
James Pearce Jr. – DE – FalconsNFL exempt list.
Dylan Sampson – RB – BrownsReturned two kickoffs for 64 yards against the Jaguars.
Elijah Simmons – DT – BuccaneersDid not see any action.
Jabari Small – RB – LionsPractice squad.
Trey Smith – OG – ChiefsStarted and played 69 offensive snaps in a 31-10 win over Denver.
Alontae Taylor – CB – TitansMade his Tennessee Titans debut, starting and making six tackles on Sunday vs. the Jets.
Dont'e Thornton Jr. – WR – RaidersInjured reserve.
Cedric Tillman – WR – SaintsPractice squad.
Shy Tuttle – DT – CommandersPlayed 16 defensive snaps, making one tackle against the Eagles.
Tyre West – DL – LionsPractice squad.
Darnell Wright – OT – BearsStarted and played 75 offensive snaps in the Bears' 59-37 win over the Panthers.
Jaylen Wright – RB – DolphinsReturned two kicks for 106 yards against Las Vegas.
Byron Young – OLB – RamsMade one tackle in the Rams' divisional matchup against the 49ers.
