#ProHogs Set For 2016 NFL Season

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The National Football League is back starting tonight and now the games count.

With training camps and preseason games completed, all 32 NFL teams begin their quest for Super Bowl LI with Week 1 games this weekend. Last year’s Super Bowl participants, the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers, have the Thursday night spotlight with a rematch tonight at 7:30 p.m. CT on NBC.

Across the league, each team cut their rosters down to 53 players over the last week after finishing their final preseason game and 17 former Razorbacks made the final cut.

Of those 17, nine of Arkansas’ last 10 draft picks are currently on an active NFL opening weekend roster, which is the third-highest total out of all teams in the SEC, trailing only Florida and Alabama (11).

#ProHogs Preseason Three Stars
A.J. Derby - TE New England Patriots
After missing his rookie season due to injury, Derby had arguably the best preseason of any NFL tight end. Derby led all tight ends in receptions (15), yards (189), yards per game (47.2), 20+ yard catches (3) and first downs (10). His 10 first down receptions tied for first among all NFL players while he ranked third overall in receptions and tied for fourth in yards. Derby hauled in a 16-yard touchdown in week 2 against Chicago during a six-catch performance.

Trey Flowers – DL New England Patriots
After sacking Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers in his first preseason game in 2015, Flowers topped that highlight with a sack, forced fumble, scoop and score in New England’s preseason-opening win over New Orleans. A third-round pick in 2015 by the Patriots, Flowers had a half-sack in week 2 against the Bears and followed with six tackles, including a sack, at Carolina in week 3. Flowers led New England with 2.5 sacks in the preseason, a mark that ranked tied for 11^th in the NFL.

Jonathan Williams – RB Buffalo Bills
Entering the preseason as Buffalo’s fourth or fifth string running back, Williams worked his way up the depth chart and onto the 53-man roster with strong performances in weeks two and three of the preseason. Williams displayed his potential as a goal line back with a one-yard touchdown in the second quarter of week 2 against the Giants. In week 3 on the road at Washington, Williams broke loose for a 37-yard touchdown run.

#ProHogs Preseason Top Plays

Week 1 #ProHogs Schedule

* - listed as reserves
^ - listed on practice squad

#ProHogs in Primetime
Three former Razorbacks will play in the Sunday night and Monday night primetime matchups in Week 1. Sunday Night Football on NBC will feature the New England Patriots at the Arizona Cardinals. Derby and Trey Flowers will take the field for the Patriots with kickoff scheduled at 7:30 p.m.

On Monday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers will travel to the Washington Redskins for a 6:10 p.m. kickoff on ESPN. Spaight will lace up the cleats for the Redskins.

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