Vols in the NFL – Week 1 Update

It was a strong opening weekend for former Tennessee Volunteers across the NFL.  Two VFLs set career-best marks while another made a clutch interception, highlighting the first week of play across the league.

Cordarrelle Patterson was masterful, kicking off his 10^th season in the league. The Atlanta running back set a new career high in rushing yards, logging 120 yards on 22 carries. He also punched in a touchdown, his 15^th-career rushing score. The 2022 season opener marked Patterson’s third career 100-yard rushing game, and he posted another 16 yards in the receiving game, hauling in three passes.

 

Cordarrelle Patterson puts the team on his back, scores this TD giving the Falcons their first TD of the season! pic.twitter.com/BUbxlC70kn

— PFF ATL Falcons (@PFF_Falcons) September 11, 2022

The featured back for Atlanta has blossomed in his role with the Falcons. Two of his 100-yard rushing games have come in the last two seasons as his previous career-best rushing day came on Nov. 28, 2021, when he had 108 yards at Jacksonville.

San Francisco’s Jauan Jennings also set a career-high on a rainy day in Chicago. The second-year man made a 44-yard reception early in the third quarter. It was the longest reception of his career, topping a 34-yard completion he made in the regular-season finale last season on Jan. 9 against the Rams.

 

#49ers Trey Lance ➡️ Jauan Jennings pic.twitter.com/w5vmS9EmdB

— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners) September 11, 2022

On the other side of the ball, Cameron Sutton started the season with a bang for the Steelers, recording his first interception of the year halfway through the second quarter. The seventh-year defensive back has now made an interception in each of his last five seasons, and he added two passes defended and a pair of tackles in an overtime victory on the road for Pittsburgh.

 

Another turnover forced by the @steelers defense! 💪 #HereWeGo

📺: #PITvsCIN on CBS

📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/pHwdeoOMZE pic.twitter.com/9nnkAhIfFW

— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2022

A full recap of Vols around the league can be found below.

Micah Abernathy – S – Packers

Practice squad

Derek Barnett – DE – Eagles

Injured in Philadelphia’s season opener

Matthew Butler – DT – Raiders

Did not play

Marquez Callaway – WR – Saints

Saw action in the game but did not have a catch in the Saints’ opener

Justin Coleman – DB – Seahawks

Recorded five…