Texas Professional Athletes

Texas alumni made their presence felt across the NFL in Week 1, with Bijan Robinson delivering a masterclass in versatility, Matthew Golden announcing himself as a legitimate Packers weapon, and DeMarvion Overshown generating Cowboys headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Bijan Does It All — Just Not Enough to Win

Bijan Robinson was the most complete back on the field in Week 1. The Atlanta Falcons running back racked up 83 rushing yards, hauled in 8 catches for 90 receiving yards, and found the end zone through the air — a 173-yard all-around performance that would have been the story of most games. It wasn't enough. The Falcons dropped a 13-20 decision to Pittsburgh, leaving Robinson's eye-popping stat line without a win attached to it. The performance nevertheless cements his status as one of the NFL's premier dual-threat backs heading into Year 3.

Golden Silences the Doubters in Green Bay

Matthew Golden's rookie season in Green Bay was quietly forgettable. His sophomore campaign is off to a very different start. The former Texas wide receiver turned in 6 catches for 95 yards in the Packers' Week 1 loss to Minnesota, a performance sharp enough to have fantasy analysts already labeling him a must-add heading into Week 2. Heavy Sports reported that Golden's breakout has the fantasy community buzzing — a notable turnaround for a first-round pick who spent most of 2025 trying to find his footing in the league.

Overshown: Fined, Hurt, and Ruled Out

DeMarvion Overshown's Week 1 was a three-act disaster. The Cowboys linebacker drew an unnecessary roughness penalty for a late hit on Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart during Dallas's 20-28 loss to New York — a play the NFL followed up with an $8,166 fine. Then came worse news: Overshown injured his hamstring in the game and was ruled out entirely for Week 2 against Washington. Dallas elevated two players from the practice squad to cover the void, and speculation about a Bobby Wagner signing began almost immediately. CBS Sports cited Overshown's absence as a key factor in Dallas's defensive communication problems. One mock draft already has the Cowboys taking a linebacker in the first round of the 2027 draft to address the position long-term. For a player who has battled injuries throughout his NFL tenure, it's a discouraging start.

Around the Horn

Several other Longhorns had moments worth noting. Anthony Hill Jr. impressed enough in the Titans' Week 1 loss to the Jets that head coach Robert Saleh named him a starter for Week 2 — a rapid ascent for a rookie linebacker. Gunnar Helm contributed 4 catches for 28 yards in that same game. Adonai Mitchell caught 3 passes for 60 yards in the Jets' win. Vernon Broughton recorded his first career forced fumble and fumble recovery for the Saints in a tight 30-31 loss to Detroit. Michael Taaffe picked off a pass for Miami in a Raiders win. Brandon Jones added an interception for Denver in a lopsided 10-31 loss to Kansas City. Xavier Worthy had a quieter day — 3 catches, 18 yards — but was involved in a miscommunication with Patrick Mahomes that resulted in an interception, a hiccup in an otherwise strong Chiefs victory. Finally, Lil'Jordan Humphrey made news off the field, issuing a pointed response after Denver released and re-signed him in a procedural move to avoid guaranteeing his contract.

Texas alumni are scattered across NFL rosters — and in several cases, across headlines — as the 2026 season gets underway. From a traded quarterback to a kicker chasing a comeback, the Longhorns' footprint in the league is impossible to ignore this week.

Quinn Ewers Lands in Jacksonville

The most significant transaction of the week for the Texas diaspora: Quinn Ewers was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars, ending his time with the Miami Dolphins organization. Jacksonville promptly released backup Nick Mullens to clear a roster spot, signaling the team views Ewers as a legitimate piece of their quarterback room. Whether he opens the year as the clear No. 2 is still unsettled — reports indicate the early-season backup role may not be as locked in as it appears — but the trade alone represents a meaningful vote of confidence in the former Texas starter. Ewers is now in a position to compete for a role on a Jaguars team looking for stability under center.

Xavier Worthy Eyes a Bounce-Back in Kansas City

In Kansas City, Xavier Worthy is leaning into accountability ahead of the Chiefs' season opener. The second-year wideout reflected publicly on a difficult 2025 campaign, emphasizing "discipline" as the key word under offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Worthy's message heading into Week 1: when it's time to play, the Chiefs will be ready. That confidence matters, because Kansas City has a real financial decision looming — a potential $20 million question on Worthy's future with the franchise that won't be answered until this season plays out. A strong start would go a long way.

Jonathon Brooks' Injury Clouds Panthers Opener

In Carolina, Jonathon Brooks is raising concern again — and it's a familiar kind. The Panthers running back missed practice with soreness as the regular season approached, a troubling development for a player who has yet to reach double-digit career carries due to injury. Head coach Dave Canales said publicly he's unconcerned about Brooks' availability for the opener, but the pattern is hard to ignore. Brooks even took to social media to respond to critics after the missed practice, a sign the scrutiny is registering. The former Texas standout has enormous upside in Carolina's backfield — if he can stay on the field.

Jaydon Blue Cut by Cowboys, Lands with Eagles

Jaydon Blue's NFL journey took a sharp turn this week. The Cowboys released the 2025 fifth-round pick — a move that caught many off guard, given Blue had expressed confidence in his role heading into the year after admitting a rough rookie start. Dallas's crowded backfield ultimately made him expendable. The Eagles wasted little time, adding Blue to their practice squad. Philadelphia's interest suggests they see developmental value in the Texas product, even if he'll need to impress to crack a competitive RB depth chart.

Justin Tucker Auditions for Jets

Finally, the most complicated story in the bunch: Justin Tucker worked out for the New York Jets as part of a broader kicker audition. The eight-time All-Pro — released by Baltimore in 2025 following sexual misconduct allegations — has now had tryouts with the Saints, Colts, and Jets as he attempts to resurrect his career. Tucker is 36 years old and was, for most of his career, the most accurate kicker in NFL history. Whether the Jets sign him remains to be seen, but the workout confirms his pursuit of a return is ongoing.

Texas alumni are having a banner week in the NFL — one's on the move, one's being floated as the league's best player, and one is staking a claim to a starting job. Hook 'em.

Ewers Finds a New Home in Jacksonville

Quinn Ewers' NFL odyssey took another turn this week when the Miami Dolphins shipped him to the Jacksonville Jaguars just ahead of the preseason cut deadline. The return: a Day 3 pick in the 2028 NFL Draft — modest compensation that reflects an underwhelming training camp performance in Miami. Ewers slides in as a backup behind Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville, a far cry from the starting aspirations that followed him out of Austin. It's a reset, not a retirement — but the former five-star recruit will need to make the most of a depth role if he wants to stick.

Robinson's Case for No. 1

Bijan Robinson doesn't just have a case to be the NFL's best running back — he's being discussed as the best player in the league, full stop. The Atlanta Falcons superstar racked up an NFL-best 2,298 scrimmage yards in 2025, earning first-team All-Pro honors and vaulting from No. 62 on last year's top-100 lists into the conversation for the top spot. That kind of trajectory is rare for any position, let alone running back.

The accolades aren't stopping at the pro level. Robinson's high school alma mater, Salpointe Catholic in Arizona, announced it will retire his number — a fitting honor for a player who rushed for 7,036 yards and scored 114 total touchdowns during his prep career and set Arizona state records before ever setting foot on the Forty Acres. From Tucson to Austin to Atlanta, Robinson's football arc has been one for the books.

Mitchell Ready to Ball Out in New York

Adonai Mitchell is heading into his second NFL season with a defined role and rising expectations. The former Longhorn wideout is set to open 2026 as Geno Smith's No. 2 wide receiver with the New York Jets, forming what he's described as an "explosive" tandem alongside Garrett Wilson. The two have been building chemistry throughout training camp, and the Jets are clearly counting on Mitchell to complement their top target and take pressure off an offense that needs playmakers to emerge.

It's a significant step for Mitchell, who now enters a market and a spotlight that will demand production — not just potential. If the connection with Wilson and Smith translates to the regular season, the Jets could have one of the more dangerous receiver duos in the AFC.

Around the Horn

Elsewhere among Texas alumni, Jets pass rusher Joseph Ossai exited Friday's preseason game with a foot injury in his first action of the preseason — a concern worth monitoring as the regular season approaches. Meanwhile, Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue totaled 75 rushing yards in Dallas's 34-13 preseason win over the Cardinals, a solid audition for a team still sorting out its backfield depth. And Sam Ehlinger, now with the Broncos, connected with Justin Joly for an 88-yard touchdown in Denver's preseason game against Minnesota — a highlight-reel moment for the former Texas starter turned journeyman backup.