Tony Jones Jr. began the calendar year by signing a reserve/future contract with the New Orleans Saints, an afterthought of a transaction following a rookie season on the team’s practice squad and off the national NFL radar.
Most players who sign futures contracts are released on cutdown day at the end of training camp, if they make it that far. All of them, though, do their best to be an exception.
Jones, the former Notre Dame running back and 2020 undrafted free agent, made himself one and didn’t stop there. He not only made the 53-man roster, but began the season as the Saints’ No. 2 running back. New Orleans head coach Sean Payton indicated in training camp the role was Jones’ to lose.
Jones delivered an 11-carry, 50-yard game in the Saints’ 38-3 defeat of the Green Bay Packers Sunday — his first NFL action. It should only help his case to stick around.
Jones is one of 36 former Notre Dame players that were on an NFL 53-man roster for Week 1 of the 2021 season. That’s not including four ex-Irish players on injured reserve: Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Miles Boykin (hamstring), Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Khalid Kareem (shoulder), Carolina Panthers cornerback Troy Pride Jr. (ACL) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt (knee).
Additionally, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Will Fuller V was suspended for Week 1, but is expected to be activated and play this week. Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin was on the COVID-19 list for Week 1 after testing positive.
Here’s a look at each of the 36 and their season-opener activity.
• Josh Adams (Played at Notre Dame from 2015-17), RB, New York Jets: Did not play in a 19-14 loss to the Panthers.
• Aaron Banks (2017-20), OG, San Francisco 49ers: Inactive for a 41-33 win over the Lions.
• Alex Bars (2014-18), OL, Chicago Bears: Did not play in a 34-14 loss to the Rams.
• Ian Book (2016-20), QB, New Orleans Saints: Did not play in a win over the Packers.
• Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers WR: Had three catches for 45 yards and a 25-yard carry in a 23-16 win over the Bills.
• Scott Daly (2012-15), LS, Detroit Lions: Was the primary long snapper in a 41-33 loss to the 49ers.
• Liam Eichenberg (2016-20), OL, Miami Dolphins: Started at left tackle in a 17-16 win over the Patriots.
• Matthias Farley (2011-15), DB, Tennessee Titans: Completed a six-yard pass on a fake punt in a 38-13 loss to the Cardinals
• Alohi Gilman (2017-19), S, Los Angeles Chargers: Made two tackles in a 20-16 win over the Washington Football Team.
• Robert Hainsey (2017-20), OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Did not play in a 31-29 win over the Cowboys.
• Daelin Hayes (2016-20), DE, Baltimore Ravens: Inactive for a 27-24 loss to the Raiders.
• J.J. Jansen (2004-07), LS, Carolina Panthers: Snapped in a win over the Jets.
• Jamir Jones (2016-19), LB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Zero tackles in a win over the Bills.
• Tony Jones Jr. (2016-19), RB, New Orleans Saints: Had 11 carries for 50 yards and one catch for three yards in a win over the Packers.
• Cole Kmet (2017-19), TE, Chicago Bears: Had five catches for 42 yards in a loss to the Rams.
• Tommy Kraemer (2016-20), OG, Detroit Lions: Elevated from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, but was a healthy scratch in a loss to the 49ers.
• Julian Love (2015-18), CB, New York Giants: Made one tackle in a 27-13 loss to the Broncos.
• Nick Martin (2011-15), C, Las Vegas Raiders: Played in a win over the Ravens.
• Nick McCloud (2020), CB, Cincinnati Bengals: Inactive for a 27-24 win over the Vikings.
• Mike McGlinchey (2013-17), OT, San Francisco 49ers: Started at right tackle in a win over the Lions.
• Sam Mustipher (2014-18), C, Chicago Bears: Started at center in a loss to the Rams.
• Quenton Nelson (2014-17), OG, Indianapolis Colts: Started at left guard in a 28-16 loss to the Seahawks.
• Ade Ogundeji (2016-20), DE, Atlanta Falcons: Made one tackle in a 32-6 loss to the Eagles.
• Romeo Okwara (2012-15), LB, Detroit Lions: Started and made one tackle in a loss to the 49ers.
• Julian Okwara (2016-19), LB, Detroit Lions: Inactive for a loss to the 49ers.
• Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (2017-20), LB, Cleveland Browns: Started and made three tackles in a 33-29 loss to the Chiefs.
• Isaac Rochell (2013-16), DL, Indianapolis Colts: Inactive for a loss to the Seahawks.
• Kyle Rudolph (2008-10), TE, New York Giants: Zero catches in a loss to the Broncos.
• Ben Skowronek (2020), WR, Los Angeles Rams: Did not play in a win over Bears due to a forearm injury.
• Harrison Smith (2007-11), S, Minnesota Vikings: Started and made six tackles with one sack in a loss to the Bengals.
• Jaylon Smith (2013-15), LB, Dallas Cowboys: Started and made four tackles in a loss to the Buccaneers.
• Durham Smythe (2013-17), TE, Miami Dolphins: Started and made one catch for nine yards in a win over the Patriots.
• Ronnie Stanley (2012-15), OT, Baltimore Ravens: Started at left tackle in a loss to the Raiders.
• Jerry Tillery (2015-18), DT, Los Angeles Chargers: Started and made no tackles in a win over the Washington Football Team.
• Drue Tranquill (2014-18), LB, Los Angeles Chargers: Made one tackle in a win over the Washington Football Team.
• Tommy Tremble (2018-20), TE, Carolina Panthers: Returned one kick for 21 yards in a win over the Jets.
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