Football
BOONE, N.C. — After missing his entire rookie season in 2022 while recovering from injury, App State Football alum and New Orleans Saints linebacker D’Marco Jackson made his NFL debut Sunday to begin the 2023 season.
Thirteen App State alums opened the season on NFL rosters, and Steve Wilks is the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, who won 30-7 against Pittsburgh.
Jackson appeared on 86 percent of the special teams plays — 24 reps — and assisted on two tackles on Tennessee punt returns during the Saints’ 16-15 victory.
Earlier this week, Jackson spent an off day visiting pediatric oncology patients at the Ochsner Health Center for Children in New Orleans. September is Child Cancer Awareness Month.
Outside linebacker Nick Hampton, a Los Angeles Rams rookie who was drafted in the fifth round out of App State earlier this year, also made his NFL debut. He played one defensive snap and on 11 special teams plays in the Rams’ 30-13 win against Seattle.
Kendall Lamm – OL, Miami Dolphins
Lamm started at left tackle and played every snap in Miami’s 36-34 win against the Los Angeles Chargers. Tua Tagovailoa threw for 466 yards and three touchdowns without being sacked.
Sam Martin – P, Buffalo Bills
Martin had three punts for 141 yards, good for a 47.0 average with a long kick of 53 yards and one punt inside the 20. The Bills lost to the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.
Akeem Davis-Gaither – LB, Cincinnati Bengals
Davis-Gaither played on 84 percent of the special teams plays and five defensive snaps in the Bengals’ loss to Cleveland.
Ryan Neuzil – OL, Atlanta Falcons
Neuzil appeared on special teams in Atlanta’s 24-10 win against Carolina.
Practice Squad
* Darrynton Evans – RB, Miami Dolphins
* Tae Hayes – CB, Baltimore Ravens (released Tuesday)
* Shemar Jean-Charles – CB, San Francisco 49ers
* Henry Pearson – FB, Green Bay Packers
Reserve/Injured
^ Cooper Hodges – OL, Jacksonville Jaguars
^ Shaun Jolly – DB, Los Angeles Rams
^ Jalen Virgil – WR, Denver Broncos
