Sept. 10, 2015
When the NFL season kicks off Thursday as New England hosts Pittsburgh, a total of seven Commodores will begin the year on NFL rosters.
Last weekend, NFL teams trimmed their rosters to 53 active players. Teams also placed injured players on PUP, NFI and IR lists. This week, 10-man practice squads have been formed.
Of the seven Commodores in the NFL, six are on active 53-man rosters, while one is on practice squad.
Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler enters his 10th season in the league and seventh with the Bears. Cutler is Vanderbilt’s longest-tenured player in the NFL.
Two sets of former Vanderbilt teammates share NFL teams. Offensive lineman Wesley Johnson and running back Zac Stacy are with the New York Jets, and cornerback Casey Hayward and safety Sean Richardson are with the Green Bay Packers.
Johnson is on New York’s practice squad, while Stacy is in his first year with the Jets after being traded from St. Louis in the offseason.
Hayward and Richardson are in their fourth year in the league – all with the Packers. Hayward is currently listed as the starter at left cornerback. Richardson is listed as the Packers’ backup strong safety.
Entering their second year in the league are Philadelphia wide receiver Jordan Matthews and Houston safety Andre Hal. Matthews is projected to be Philadelphia’s No. 1 receiver this year. Hal is making the conversion from corner to safety this season, and is second on the depth chart at strong safety.
Active 53-Man Roster
Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago
Andre Hal, S, Houston
Casey Hayward, CB, Green Bay
Jordan Matthews, WR, Philadelphia
Sean Richardson, S, Green Bay
Zac Stacy, RB, New York Jets
Practice Squad
Wesley Johnson, OL, New York Jets
Photo Credit: Associated Press
