The NFL’s opening week brings a long list of former Texas A&M standouts into the spotlight, with several rookies and established veterans set for notable roles right away.
The first Aggie to hit the field is Myles Garrett, who will make his Los Angeles Rams debut Thursday night in the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia. Garrett is coming off an NFL-record 23-sack season in 2025 and enters the opener without an injury designation after recently dealing with knee swelling.
Sunday brings another fresh start for a former Aggie receiver. KC Concepcion, the No. 24 overall pick, is listed as one of Cleveland’s starting receivers for his debut with the Browns. He briefly dealt with a shoulder issue this week, but returned to team drills Thursday.
Mike Evans is also set for a new beginning, as he is expected to play his first regular-season game for a team other than Tampa Bay when San Francisco opens the season. His connection with quarterback Brock Purdy will be the main thing to watch.
There are also several Aggies heading into the season with real expectations attached. De’Von Achane is coming off a season in which he piled up 1,350 rushing yards and 12 total touchdowns, and Miami is expected to lean on him as the centerpiece of its new-look offense.
Von Miller will make his Cowboys debut Sunday night. The DeSoto native and Texas A&M alumnus recorded nine sacks last season and remains the NFL’s active career sacks leader.
Edgerrin Cooper is another name to track. Green Bay has been trying him both at linebacker and on the edge, and his deployment - along with any pass-rush chances - will be worth watching against Minnesota.
Among the rookies, Cashius Howell is set for his NFL debut after Cincinnati took him in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He earned a second-string role after a strong training camp and should be part of the Bengals’ defensive rotation.
Nate Boerkircher will also make his first NFL appearance after Jacksonville selected him with the No. 56 overall pick. He opens Week 1 as the Jaguars’ No. 2 tight end and is expected to help mainly as a blocker in multiple-tight-end sets.
In Other News...
Texas A&M May Have Found Its Pass Rush Difference Maker
Texas A&Ms defense left its season-opening win over Missouri State with plenty to like, even if the pass rush did not fully take over the game. San Diego State transfer Ryan Henderson supplied the Aggies only sack, and while the front did not consistently overwhelm the quarterback, the defense still did its job by controlling the game and showing the kind of overall strength Mike Elko wants to build around.
Hendersons production stood out because it came in limited snaps, which is exactly the sort of early impact that can change how a rotation is viewed moving forward. Elko praised the transfers performance and hinted at a growing role in the defensive plan, and with Texas A&M coming off a game in which the unit allowed just 67 total yards against Arizona State, the question now is whether Henderson can keep turning brief chances into a bigger presence off the edge. [Read more 🡒]
Aggies Week 1 NFL Tracker Shows Early Setbacks For Former Stars
Texas A&Ms NFL pipeline hit an early rough patch as Week 1 roster moves started sorting out where the Aggies former stars stand this season. Several names with College Station roots are already dealing with injury-related setbacks, and the list includes players whose availability will be a major storyline for their clubs as the year unfolds.
Chase Bisontis and Nic Scourton are set to miss the entire season because of knee injuries, while Christian Kirk and Shemar Turner carry potential return designations that leave their timetables hanging. Tyreek Chappell is on injured reserve, and Tyrel Dodson, Buddy Johnson and Tre Watson are working from practice squads, a reminder that even in September, the NFL path for former Aggies can change quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Texas A&M Is Still In The Hunt For An Elite 2028 Receiver
Texas A&Ms next wave of recruiting work is already taking shape, and the Aggies are in the mix for one of the more intriguing young receivers in the 2028 class. Braylon Clark has narrowed his list to 12 finalists, with Texas A&M alongside powers like Ohio State and LSU, a sign that the staff is staying active in the race for high-end talent well before the cycle gets serious.
The timing of Clarks upcoming visit could matter, too. He is set to be in College Station for the Oct. 3 home game against Arkansas, giving Texas A&M another chance to make a strong impression in person and show why it remains a real contender as his recruitment moves forward. [Read more 🡒]