NFL #ProDucks: Preseason Week 1

Through the first week of the NFL preseason, 33 #ProDucks remain actively competing for spots on 16 NFL rosters, while four others are out with injuries. The first game action of the 2016 season brought some disappointment throughout the #ProDucks ranks, as two promising young players, Hronnis Grasu and Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, lost their seasons to torn ACLs. Of the #ProDucks that played, there were multiple standouts including a very efficient 2016 debut from Marcus Mariota, a touchdown by LeGarrette Blount and another electric preseason performance by Kenjon Barner.

Carolina Panthers

TE Ed Dickson did not play in the Panthers' 22-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens as he nurses a hamstring injury, but is not expected to be out for an extended period of time. Dickson is slated to once again be the primary backup to starting tight end Greg Olsen in 2016.
RB Jonathan Stewart also sat out of Carolina's first preseason game as the team takes steps to make sure he his rested and healthy for the start of the regular season. Stewart will be the lead back in Carolina once again in 2016, but expect the eight-year veteran to see limited action during the preseason.

Chicago Bears

C Hroniss Grasu suffered a devastating season-ending injury in his attempt to claim the Bears' starting center spot, tearing his ACL in practice on August 7. With Grasu out, an already jumbled Bears' offensive line is scrambling to piece things together after losing a guy quarterback Jay Cutler termed the "core of the offensive line." Grasu is currently still on the active roster, but has been deemed out for the year by the organization.
OL Kyle Long will be even further relied on to stabilize the offensive line now after Grasu's injury, as the three-time Pro Bowler moves back to his normal right guard position after spending 2015 at right tackle. Long saw some early action in the Bears' 22-0 loss to the Denver Broncos in their first preseason action, and should see more field time in the team's second preseason game against the Patriots tonight at 5 p.m. PT as he tunes up for the regular season.

Cincinnati Bengals

OL Jake Fisher started at left tackle in the Bengals' 17-16 loss to the Minnesotta Vikings and is currently listed on the team's unofficial depth chart as the backup at that spot, but he has once again showed his versatility, recently getting in work at right tackle as well as both guard spots. Fisher, who played both tight end and H-back in addition to the offensive line in 2015, will continue to move around as he proves his value to the team. Fisher and Cincinnati will face off with the Detroit Lions tonight at 4:30 p.m. PT.

Denver Broncos

WR Bralon Addison played in the Broncos' 22-0 victory over the Chicago Bears, returning two punts for 27 yards and one kickoff for 23 yards. Addison's best chance to see the field for the Broncos as a rookie remains in the return game, and he is listed third at those spots on the Broncos' first unofficial depth chart. Addison and the Broncos will take on the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday at 6 p.m. PT.

S T.J. Ward, saw limited playing time in Denver's first preseason game, but made the most of it with a sack of Jay Cutler early on in the game. Ward has raved early on about the Broncos' defense, saying the defending Super Bowl champions will be even better on that side of the ball than they were a year ago.
OT Darrion Weems saw time at right guard, right tackle and left tackle in the Broncos' loss to the Bears, and has been working at right guard with the first unit this week in camp. Weems is positioning himself at least as a dependable backup with good versatility, with a chance to break into the starting lineup with a strong showing over the last few weeks of the preseason.

Detroit Lions

DT Haloti Ngata played in the Lions' 30-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, but did not record any statistics. After starting his first season with Detroit in 2015 on the NFI list, a healthy preseason for Ngata has been a big key so far in getting comfortable and ready for the regular season.
G Geoff Schwartz saw time at both guard spots for the Lions against the Steelers, and is expected to provide both leadership and depth along the offensive line. The Lions will take on the Cincinnati Bengals tonight at 4:30 p.m. PT.

Houston Texans

CB Terrance Mitchell was the Texans' leading tackler in their 24-13 win over the San Francisco 49ers, recording seven tackles including five solo. Currently listed third at left cornerback on the Texans' first unofficial depth chart, the last three preseason games will be key for Mitchell in his attempt to earn increased playing time. The Texans will host the Saints on Saturday at 5 p.m. PT.
OL Matt Pierson signed with the Texans as a free agent on August 3 and will compete along the offensive line for a roster spot.

S Eddie Pleasant did not record any statistics in the Texans' first preseason game, but is expected to be the primary backup at safety once again this season. Pleasant did have some fun during pregame, entertaining fans with some impressive catches.

Can you fly with your headphones on? @Eddiep_35 can #TexansGameday pic.twitter.com/WzfUOSQbxi
— Greg Bailey (@GregBailey13) August 14, 2016

OLB Tony Washington Jr. has made an early impression with the Texans, recording four tackles, three solo, against the 49ers. After spending most of 2015 on the Texans' practice squad, Washington has been an impact performer early in camp, and is listed as the backup at outside linebacker on the team's depth chart.

Oregon guys after #Texans/49ers w/o. L-R: Texans Tony Washington Jr,Matt Pierson,Eddie Pleasant.Far right Chip Kelly pic.twitter.com/gstwsQzxtB
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) August 12, 2016

Kansas City Chiefs

WR De'Anthony Thomas was the Chiefs' leading receiver in their 17-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, catching three balls for 46 yards, including a long catch of 23 yards. Thomas also returned one kickoff for 16 yards and one punt for three yards. Thomas should get plenty of opportunities in the return game throughout the season, but will need more strong showings on offense throughout the preseason to secure an impact role at receiver. The Chiefs will play their second preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday at 6 p.m. PT.

De'Anthony Thomas, Steven Nelson look good in Kansas City's preseason opener https://t.co/BUpmoDbTOF
— oregonlive.com/ducks (@oregonliveducks) August 14, 2016

Los Angeles Rams

CB Troy Hill totalled two solo tackles for the Rams in their 28-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys. Hill and the Rams will face Thomas and the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday.

Miami Dolphins

LB Kiko Alonso played in the Dolphins' 27-10 win over the New York Giants, making two tackles, one solo. Alonso is listed as Miami's starting middle linebacker on its first unofficial depth chart. The Dolphins will continue their preseason slate on Friday at 5 p.m. PT against the Dallas Cowboys.
CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu's season came to an unfortunate close early in the preseason, tearing his ACL in practice on August 8. Ekpre-Olomu has been placed on the team's Reserved/Injured list and will not play this season.
LB Spencer Paysinger had a solid performance against the Giants, making four solo tackles including one tackle for loss. Paysinger will once again be a big contributor on special teams this season while providing depth and versatility at the linebacker spot.
DE Dion Jordan remains on the Active/Non Football Injury list, but seems to be progressing toward hitting the field soon and has received positive reports on his off-field preparation as he rehabs from a knee injury. It is likely that Jordan will begin the season on the NFI list as he gets back into game form.

Mending Dion Jordan 'totally engaged' in meetings, rehab https://t.co/lBjnQmTV7K
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) August 15, 2016

New England Patriots

RB LeGarrette Blount did what he does best in the Patriots' 34-22 win against the New Orleans Saints, finding the end zone from one yard out for a touchdown. Blount finished with 20 rushing yards on nine carries and the score in his first tune-up for his eighth NFL season. The Patriots will host the Bears tonight at 5 p.m. PT.

James White 56 yard catch and run + Touchdown Blounthttps://t.co/BvxnnUsbjw
— PatriotsNation™ (@Jordanems) August 12, 2016

S Patrick Chung made one solo tackle in limited action against the Saints.

New Orleans Saints

S Jairus Byrd started at safety in the Saints' 34-22 loss to the Patriots, but saw limited action and did not record any statistics as the team eases him into the 2016 season. Byrd is expected to be New Orleans' primary free safety this season. The Saints will play the Houston Texans at 5 p.m. PT on Saturday.
C Max Unger started at center against the Patriots and will once again be the man snapping the ball to Drew Brees in his second season with the Saints.

Philadelphia Eagles

RB Kenjon Barner saw the field quite a bit in the Eagles' 17-9 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, rushing for 35 yards on seven carries and showing his playmaking ability on a 47-yard kickoff return. Barner also returned three punts for 19 yards. The strong start to the 2016 preseason for Barner is fitting after he shined in the preseason a year ago to make the team out of camp. The Eagles take on the Pittsburgh Steelers at 4 p.m. PT tonight.
DT Taylor Hart made one tackle for loss against the Buccanneers as he makes his push for increased playing time in his third NFL season.
WR Josh Huff caught two passes for eight yards against Tampa Bay and joined Barner in providing a spark on kickoff returns, running back his only attempt for 39 yards.
RB Byron Marshall carried the ball five times for six yards in his first professional action, while also catching two passes for eight yards.

LB Joe Walker impressed in his first NFL action, finishing as the team's second leading tackler with six takedowns, including five solo. In a linebacker group that is in flux in Philadelphia, a strong preseason from Walker could lead to playing time both on special teams and at linebacker.

Look how quickly Joe Walker got into the backfield on this 4th and 1. Made the tackle. Impressive play. #eagles pic.twitter.com/rWJzd9l4Sn
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) August 12, 2016

San Diego Chargers

QB Kellen Clemens saw the field quite a bit in the Chargers' 27-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans, completing 8-of-15 passes for 96 yards and running one time for four yards. Clemens should see a large amount of playing time in the preseason as he competes for the backup job to Phillip Rivers once again this season.
OT Tyler Johnstone played against the Titans in his first NFL action, spending his time at right tackle.

San Francisco 49ers

DL Arik Armstead did not play in the 49ers' 24-13 loss to the Houston Texas as he nurses a slight shoulder injury. Armstead has been limited in practice, but is expected to be ready to go fairly soon. The 49ers will face the Broncos at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
OL Alex Balducci got his first NFL game action at his new position against the Texans, getting a large portion of playing time at center.
DL DeForest Buckner made three tackles, one solo, in his first action with the 49ers after being taken with the seventh overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Buckner is quickly establishing himself on San Francisco's defensive line, and should get a lot of reps to further prove himself this preseason.

#49ers @DeForestBuckner per Bucky Brooks grades a B in his first preseason game! Proud of our DE! pic.twitter.com/8rTi3NaNBy
— Ronbo Sports (@RonboSports) August 17, 2016

SeattleSeahawks

TE Brandon Williams caught one pass for six yards in his first game as a Seahawk. As starting tight end Jimmy Graham continues to rehab from a knee injury, Williams will be in on a large number of reps to try and secure a spot on Seattle's roster. The Seahawks host the Minnesotta Vikings tonight at 7 p.m.
DE Christian French is currently on the Reserved/Injured list after signing with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent.

Tennessee Titans

QB Marcus Mariota played just one series in his first tune-up for his second NFL season, but made the most of it by completing 5-of-5 passes for 45 yards in the Titans' 27-10 win over the San Diego Chargers. Mariota should get increased playing time in the Titans' second and third preseason games before likely sitting out most of the fourth before the season opener. Reports at the start of camp suggested that the Titans want Mariota to run more in 2016 than he did as a rookie, so it will be interesting to see if they move him around more in the preseason or wait until the regular season. Mariota did not have a rushing attempt against the Chargers. The Titans take on the Carolina Panthers at noon on Saturday.

Titans QB Marcus Mariota ready and willing to scream, if needed https://t.co/k6EvYwBI5A #Titans
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 18, 2016

From Wednesday's PFT Live, Mike Mularkey talks about the ways Marcus Mariota can improve in 2016 https://t.co/X1zLL1xpEl
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 18, 2016

#ProDucks in the Canadian Football League

BC Lions

RB Jeremiah Johnson is currently in his third CFL season and first as a Lion. Johnson ran for 448 yards and nine touchdowns last season with Ottawa, and has totaled 256 yards on 51 carries with three touchdowns in four games this season.
LB Bo Lokombo is in his third CFL season with the Lions and has made seven defensive tackles in seven games this season.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

QB Jeremiah Masoli is enjoying a breakout year in his fourth season with Hamilton. Masoli has completed 159-of-226 passes this season for a completion percentage of 70.4 while tossing eight touchdowns. Masoli has also run for 36 yards and a score while providing the Tiger-Cats with both efficient and dynamic play out of the quarterback position.

Montreal Alouettes

QB Vernon Adams Jr. is in his first season with the Alouettes after leading college football in passer efficiency with the Ducks in 2015. Adams Jr. has played in two games this season, completing four passes for 35 yards.

Ottawa Redblacks

DB John Boyett is in his second season with the Redblacks and has made 12 total tackles in seven games this season. Boyett played in four games with Ottawa in 2015, making eight tackles and recording one interception.

University of Oregon Athletics

Players Mentioned

Byron Marshall

Matt Pierson

Joe Walker

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