Eagles In The NFL: Week 1 Roster Updates

This season, 16 former Boston College Eagle football players will suit up on Sundays to compete as part of the National Football League. Each Thursday, prior to the next week's games kicking off, we'll run down how they performed, as well as a rundown of their team's results.

Please note that this does not take into consideration Eagles who are currently on Practice Squads or who are playing in any league other than the NFL. Sorry, CFL fans, no rouge points tonight for you.

Anyways, on the Eagle updates:

Anthony Castonzo, Indianapolis Colts

You may remember Castonzo's touchdown reception and subsequent Big Man touchdown dance celebration from last season. He'll be back protecting the blindside of "The Franchise" Andrew Luck. The Colts open up on Sunday in Buffalo with a 1 PM ET start.

Gosder Cherilus, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Cherilus was released this offseason by the Colts after starting on the right side of their line in 2014. Tampa Bay subsequently signed him, and he'll be on the offensive line when Jameis Winston makes his professional regular season debut on Sunday. The opponent? #2 overall pick Marcus Mariota and the Tennessee Titans in a 4:25 ET start down at the New Sombrero.

Kasim Edebali, New Orleans Saints

It's the second straight year for Edebali to play linebacker after converting off defensive line a year ago. The Saints have to go to the west coast to open things up, playing at the site of last year's Super Bowl when they take on the Arizona Cardinals in the desert.

Andy Gallik, Tennessee Titans

A sixth round selection by the Titans, Gallik is playing the center/guard position off the bench, an important role in the modern NFL. More teams are loading up on an extra lineman capable of playing both positions in the interior OL, and the rookie becomes the latest graduate of "O-Line U." As mentioned above, Tennessee will head to Tampa and take on #1 overall pick Jameis Winston and the Bucs.

Matt Hasselbeck, Indianapolis Colts

People are amazed at the longevity on display by the 39-year old Hasselbeck. The local product and former starting QB for BC is long removed from when he brought the Seattle Seahawks to Super Bowl XL, but he remains a valuable part of the Colts offense in the locker room. Playing behind Andrew Luck, he's seen only sparingly limited action, but he provides the team with veteran leadership and the brain of a career that began 17 years ago in 1998.

Mark Herzlich, New York Giants

Herzlich's amazing courage and staying power's continually earned him rave reviews as part of Big Blue's defense. He'll be more recognizable this year, having changed his number from his rookie uniform of 58 back to the more familiar 94. The Giants open up the season in Big D, taking on the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers

A tackle machine over the past two seasons, #59 returns for another season as the heart and soul of the Cardiac Cats defensive unit. On Sunday, Carolina will take on Jacksonville in a 1 PM ET start.

Ifeanyi Momah, Arizona Cardinals

Forget about him? Momah, who suffered a season-ending injury during his final season with the Eagles, is no longer a wide receiver. After spending the last three season on practice squads in Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Detroit, he's on the active roster in the desert with Arizona. Yet to catch a single pass in his short NFL career, he'll suit up on Sunday when the Cardinals take on New Orleans.

Tyler Murphy, Pittsburgh Steelers

The most recent Boston College starting quarterback, Murphy was brought to Pittsburgh with the intention of diversifying a very dangerous offense. Having beat out fellow BC alum Shakim Phillips for the final wide receiver job, he is drawing comparisons at times to Kordell Stewart. The Steelers open up the season tonight when they watch a banner go up at 1 Patriot Place, taking on the New England Patriots at 8 PM.

Kevin Pierre-Louis, Seattle Seahawks

KPL made an impact in his first year in the Pacific Northwest, making his NFL debut in a then-Super Bowl rematch with the Denver Broncos. But his season was cut short when he landed on injured reserve, and he'll try to rally back and help the Seahawks to their third straight Super Bowl. The defending NFC Champions will begin their quest to regain their lost NFL crown when they travel to St. Louis for a 1 PM ET start.

Ryan Quigley, New York Jets

Perhaps the team's MVP, the former Eagle punter has kicked 150 times for over 7,000 yards in the past two seasons, mostly because the Jets offense is really, really, really, really bad. He's back with Gang Green in 2015, ostensibly avoiding teammates' fists and attempting to keep himself fresh for what looks to be a long season with the Jets.

New York begins its march towards the #1 pick when they host Cleveland on Sunday at 1 PM ET.**

**admittedly the Jets are my least favorite team in the NFL, so I always enjoy piling on them. It's something of a running joke each week for me. As a side note, they're playing the Browns, who may also be in the running for the #1 pick. Who knew that a Week One matchup could have so many implications for next season!

BJ Raji, Green Bay Packers

Show me what you got, what you got Raji.

BJ Raji is back after missing the majority of the '14 season on injured reserve. Green Bay, a perennial favorite to win the NFC, opens up the season with an old school matchup at Chicago at 1 PM.

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

If Luke Kuechly is considered the #1 BC alum in the pros right now, then Ryan is almost assuredly either #2 or #1a. The starting QB for the Atlanta Falcons, he'll make an attempt to rally the Dirty Birds from their disappointing finish a season ago. Atlanta opens up with the front half of the Monday Night Football doubleheader, taking on Philadephia at home at 7 PM ET on Monday.

Ian Silberman, San Francisco 49ers

The Florida transfer was picked up in this year's NFL draft, and he'll be in uniform when San Francisco opens up the 2015 season against Minnesota in the Bay Area. With all of the controversy surrounding the many retirements and departures, the two teams are in the second half of the Monday Night Football doubleheader, kicking off at 10:20 PM ET.

Andre Williams, New York Giants

Didn't think we'd forget the only other Heisman Trophy finalist in BC history, did you? Double fours kicks off his season as one of three or four backs in a loaded New York backfield. As noted earlier, the Giants are on Sunday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys this week.