#PackPros: 16 on NFL Rosters to Start Season

2016 #PACKPROS

RALEIGH, N.C. - The 2016 NFL season kicks off Thursday night, and 16 former NC State players find themselves on NFL rosters.

David Amerson, CB, Oakland Raiders – Amerson will start the regular season as the starting left corner for the Raiders. Last season the Washington Redskins released Amerson in September after two seasons, but was picked up by the Raiders just one day later. Amerson played in 14 games in 2015, totaled 58 tackles and defended the second-most passes in the NFL with 25. This summer, he signed a new 4-year, $38 million extension with the Raiders.

Jacoby Brissett, QB, New England Patriots – Drafted in the third round (91st overall), Brissett looks to find playing time amongst a successful squad of quarterbacks. With Tom Brady suspended for the first four games of 2016, Brissett has an opportunity to use his preseason success to find more playing time in the regular season as second string quarterback to three year-vet Jimmy Garoppolo. Brissett threw for 387 yards and one touchdown in the preseason.

Juston Burris, CB, New York Jets – A 2016 fourth round draft pick, the rookie found playing time during the preseason where he logged three tackles, defended five tackles, and completed one interception for 11 yards. He is currently in contention to be the Jets' nickel.

Audie Cole, LB, Minnesota Vikings – Now entering his fifth season, Cole will start the season for the Vikings as backup middle linebacker. Last year, Cole played in seven games and completed three tackles.

Mike Glennon, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Glennon will enter his fourth season for the Buccaneers as their backup quarterback. Despite not seeing playing time last season, will look to build off the preseason where he threw for 132 yards and scored one touchdown.

Steven Hauschka, PK, Seattle Seahawks – Hauschka enters his ninth season in the NFL, and sixth as the kicker for the Seahawks. The veteran went 29-for-31 last season, highlighted by a 54-yard field goal.

Dontae Johnson, CB, San Francisco 49ers – Johnson is slated to start his third season as the backup left corner for the 49ers. Last season, Johnson played in 16 games and had 32 tackles.

Ted Larsen, OL, Chicago Bears – Larsen signed with the Bears earlier this year after two years on the Arizona Cardinals rosters. Larsen will begin his seventh season in the NFL as the starting center for the Bears.

T.Y. McGill, DT, Indianapolis Colts – Claimed off waivers last season after spening training camp with the Seahawks, McGill was signed by the Colts and tallied 11 tackles and three sacks during his rookie season. During this year's preseason, McGill made some big plays for the Colts with four tackles and one sack. McGill will start the season for Indianapolis as second string nose tackle, and switched to No. 99 this year.

Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers – Entering his 13th season for the Chargers, Rivers looks to add to his already impressive statistics. Last season, Rivers completed 66% of his passes for almost 5,000 yards and threw for 29 touchdowns.

J.R. Sweezy, G, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – After undergoing a back procedure during the offseason, Sweezy will begin the season on the Physically Unable to Preform (PUP) list, and therefor will not play for at least six games. Sweezy was a free agent with the Bucs this offseason, signing a five-year, $32.5 million contract. In 2015, Sweezy started as guard for the Seattle Seahawks in 15 games.

Joe Thuney, G, New England Patriots – Drafted in the third round (78^th overall), Thuney spent the entire preseason as a starting guard for the Patriots.

Stephen Tulloch, LB, Philadelphia Eagles – Now entering his 11th season, Tulloch signed with the Philadelphia Eagles just a few weeks ago after spending five seasons with the Detroit Lions. Last season he had 107 tackles and one sack.

Mario Williams, DE, Miami Dolphins – Williams will enter his 11th season in the NFL, this year as the Dolphins' starting defensive end after signing a two-year, $17 million contract in the offseason. In the 2015 season while with the Buffalo Bills, Williams recorded five sacks and had 19 tackles.

Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks – After a successful run in 2015, Wilson will enter his fifth season as starting quarterback for the Seahawks with more than 100 touchdowns, almost 14,000 yards and more than 1,100 completions. Wilson has also made two Super Bowl appearance, leading the Seahawks to their 2013 title.

Willie Young, DE, Chicago Bears – Young will start his seventh season in the NFL, and his third as the Bears' starting defensive end. Last season, Young totaled 30 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and defended two passes.

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