KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season is in the books with VFLs across the league making an impact.
Cleveland teammates Dylan Sampson and Cedric Tillman played well in the Brown's matchup against Cincinnati. Sampson finished with 93 total yards of offense, rushing for 29 and recording 64 through the air. Tillman hauled in five receptions for 52 yards and grabbed a third-quarter touchdown on a 5-yard catch.
Josh Palmer shone for his new squad on Sunday night as he caught five passes for 61 yards in Buffalo's come-from-behind win over Baltimore.
On the defensive side of the ball, Byron Young filled the stat sheet in the Rams' win over the Texans. Young tallied nine tackles with one TFL, two QB hits and a sack.
James Pearce Jr. and Dont'e Thornton Jr. made their NFL debuts on Sunday, playing for the Falcons and Raiders, respectively.
A full recap of Vols around the league can be found below.
Derek Barnett – DE – Houston Texans
Played 15 snaps on defense, recording one tackle
Matthew Butler – DT – Miami Dolphins
Totaled 20 defensive snaps against Indianapolis, registering two tackles
Jerome Carvin – OL – Jacksonville Jaguars
On practice squad
Morgan Cox – LS – Tennessee Titans
Snapped 12 times in the Titans' game at Denver
Joshua Dobbs – QB – Patriots
Did not see any action against the Raiders
Princeton Fant – TE – Dallas Cowboys
On practice squad
Kamal Hadden – DB – Green Bay Packers
Played on two special teams snaps in Green Bay's win over Detroit
Hendon Hooker – QB – Carolina Panthers
On practice squad
Jalin Hyatt – WR – New York Giants
Did not see any action against the Commanders
Theo Jackson – DB – Minnesota Vikings
Notched four tackles in the Vikings' win over the Bears on Monday night
Jauan Jennings – WR – San Francisco 49ers
Caught two passes for 16 yards in a 17-13 win over Seattle
Jakob Johnson – FB – Houston Texans
On practice squad
Velus Jones Jr. – RB – New Orleans Saints
Played 17 special teams snaps against Arizona
Alvin Kamara – RB – New Orleans Saints
Rushed 11 times for 45 yards and a score, while hauling in two passes for 12 yards
Cade Mays – C – Carolina Panthers
Played two special teams snaps against Jacksonville
Jaylen McCollough – DB – Los Angeles Rams
Recorded three tackles, one TFL, one QB hurry and a sack in the Rams' victory over the Texans
Joe Milton III – QB – Dallas Cowboys
Did not see any action against the Eagles
Omarr Norman-Lott – DT – Kansas City Chiefs
Did not see any action versus the Chargers
Josh Palmer – WR – Buffalo Bills
Hauled in five receptions for 61 yards in Buffalo's come-from-behind win over Baltimore on Sunday night
James Pearce Jr. – OLB – Atlanta Falcons
Played 23 defensive snaps against Tampa Bay
Dylan Sampson – RB – Cleveland Browns
Rushed 12 times for 29 yards, while catching eight passes for 64 yards against Cincinnati
Elijah Simmons – DT – Arizona Cardinals
On practice squad
Trey Smith – OL – Kansas City Chiefs
Logged 65 total snaps in Week 1 against the Chargers
Alontae Taylor – CB – New Orleans Saints
Totaled two tackles, one TFL, and a sack against Arizona
Darrell Taylor – OLB – Houston Texans
Notched one tackle versus the Rams
Dont'e Thornton Jr. – WR – Las Vegas Raiders
Caught two passes for 45 yards in his NFL debut against New England
Cedric Tillman – WR – Cleveland Browns
Hauled in five receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown versus Cincinnati
Shy Tuttle – DT – Tennessee Titans
Did not see any action against the Broncos
Dee Williams – CB – New York Giants
On practice squad
Darnell Wright – OT – Chicago Bears
Played 71 total snaps on Monday night versus the Vikings
Jaylen Wright – RB – Miami Dolphins
Did not see any snaps in Week 1
Byron Young – OLB – Los Angeles Rams
Tallied nine tackles with one TFL, two QB hits and a sack in the Rams' win over the Texans