Sept. 8, 2016
Nine former Commodores are on National Football League rosters as the 2016 season opens tonight with Carolina facing reigning Super Bowl champion Denver.
The NFL squad with the most former Vanderbilt players is the San Diego Chargers, who have defensive back Casey Hayward, wide receiver Jonathan Krause and offensive lineman Spencer Pulley on their Game 1 roster.
Here’s a brief look at the nine former Commodores in the NFL:
Jay Cutler, quarterback, Chicago Bears
at Houston, 12 noon CT, Sunday, Sept. 11
One of the newest members to Vanderbilt Athletics’ Hall of Fame, Cutler enters his eighth year at the Bears’ starting quarterback – and his 11th year as a NFL starter. In 2015, he surpassed a pair passing milestones for his career: 200 touchdown passes and 30,000 passing yards. He threw for 21 touchdowns and 3,659 passing yards in 2015, finishing with a career-high 92.3 passer rating.
Andre Hal, safety, Houston Texans
vs. Chicago, 12 noon CT, Sunday, Sept. 11
A seventh-round selection in 2014, Hal is listed as the starting free safety for the Texans’ season opener against Chicago. Entering his third year, Hal has contributed 57 tackles and four interceptions for the Houston defense, and became an 11-game starter at safety in 2015 after shifting from cornerback.
Casey Hayward, cornerback, San Diego Chargers
at Kansas City, 12 noon CT, Sunday, Sept. 11
A fifth-year veteran, Hayward signed a three-year free agent deal with the Chargers in the offseason after enjoying a successful four-year run in the Green Bay secondary. Hayward enters the season with nine career interceptions and nearly 200 career tackles. He will play cornerback and nickels for the Chargers.
Wesley Johnson, offensive line, New York Jets
vs. Cincinnati, 12 noon CT, Sunday, Sept. 11
The third-year offensive lineman from Nashville is listed as New York’s backup center to veteran Nick Mangold. Johnson also has the versatility to play either guard position for the Jets. Johnson played in 10 games, including one start, during the 2015 season.
Jonathan Krause, wide receiver, San Diego Chargers
Krause, a three-year veteran receiver who has experience with the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, was signed to the Chargers’ practice squad on Sept. 5 after missing the 53-man roster in Tampa Bay. In 2015, Krause had a pair of receptions in two regular season appearances for the Eagles.
Jordan Matthews, wide receiver, Philadelphia Eagles
vs. Cleveland, 12 noon CT, Sunday, Sept. 11
The Eagles’ top receiver in his second year with the franchise in 2015, Matthews is returning to full health after missing three weeks of the preseason with a leg injury. Matthews has 152 catches, which ranks as the 10th highest total by a NFL receiver through two years. In 2015, he paced the Eagles with 85 catches, 997 receiving yards and eight TD catches.
Spencer Pulley, offensive line, San Diego Chargers
at Kansas City, 12 noon CT, Sunday, Sept. 11
An undrafted rookie free agent, Pulley won a spot on San Diego’s 53-man regular season roster with a strong preseason camp when he displayed versatility as a center-guard. He is listed as the Chargers’ No. 2 right guard.
Stephen Weatherly, defensive end, Minnesota
Selected by the Vikings in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Weatherly was named to Minnesota’s practice squad on Sept. 3. During the preseason, Weatherly worked at defensive end after playing outside linebacker for the Commodores.
Andrew Williamson, safety, Indianapolis
Williamson suffered a knee injury during an early preseason practice, and is listed on the Colts’ injured reserved list.
