XFL to NFL Update: NFL Preseason Week 1
Published on August 15, 2023 under XFL (XFL) News Release
It was a monumental weekend in the XFL, for multiple reasons. We watched our XFL >> NFL players suit up during NFL Preseason Week 1, where 33 of them saw playing time.
The mission of the XFL, what the "league of opportunity" has been preaching really came to fruition.
"The success of XFL players during Week 1 of the NFL Preseason proves what they can bring to teams at the next level," said Marc Ross, XFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations. "We look forward to following their progress throughout the upcoming NFL season, as we know this is the beginning for many of them."
We didn't stop the celebration on the field with the Preseason games. No, we continued on Sunday, August 13, as former Arlington Renegades wide receiver Victor Bolden signed with the Houston Texans, becoming the 50th 2023 XFL player to sign an NFL contract.
This league continues to give players a second chance, a second platform. This league continues to help players build their resume. And we'll continue to highlight their journeys along the way.
It was a wild weekend and a big moment for these guys. As training camp continues, with NFL Preseason Week 2, and final roster announcements on August 29, the pressure and grind continues.
Some key moments from the weekend:
Mike Rose (LB - STL) and Bryce Thompson (S - SEA) saw a start on Friday night for the Miami Dolphins.
Former St. Louis Battlehawks safety, Lukas Denis, recorded an interception for the Falcons during their 19-3 win over the Dolphins.
Denver Broncos QB3 Ben DiNucci (former Sea Dragons QB1) went 7-of-9 and threw for 57 yards. The 2023 XFL leading passer secured a 93.1 QB rating after his performance on Friday night against the Cardinals.
Parker Romo (K) had a perfect game on Friday night for Detroit. The former Brahma went 1-for-1 on field goals and extra-points, adding four points to help the Lions secure a preseason victory over the Giants.
Saturday's New York Jets game saw a big defensive effort from former Arlington Renegdaes DL Bruce Hector. The 2023 XFL Champion recorded two total tackles, one solo stop, one sack and a forced fumble.
See below for a full rundown of other notable plays:
Atlanta Falcons (Falcons 19-3 Dolphins)
Lukas Denis - S - STL Battlehawks - Denis secured one interception for the Falcons on Friday night.
LaCale London - DL - STL Battlehawks - London recorded on solo stop.
Mathew Sexton - WR - VGS Vipers - Sexton had one reception for 5 yards and one kickoff return for 6 yards.
Buffalo Bills (Bills 23-19 Colts)
Marcell Ateman - WR - STL Battlehawks - Ateman went 2-for-2 on the night with 41 total yards. The former Battlehawk also recorded one special teams tackle.
Cleveland Browns (Browns 15-17 Commanders)
Chuck Wiley - DL - HOU Roughnecks - Wiley recorded one TFL.
Denver Broncos (Broncos 17-18 Cardinals)
Michael Bandy - WR - HOU Roughnecks - Bandy totaled 3 receptions for 27 yards.
Ben DiNucci - QB - SEA Sea Dragons - DiNucci went 7-of-9 and threw for 57 yards. The XFL leading passer secured a 93.1 QB rating after his performance on Friday night.
Detroit Lions (Lions 21-16 Giants)
Parker Romo - K - SA Brahmas - Romo scored a perfect score on Friday night. The former Brahmas kicker went 1-for-1 on field goals and extra-points, adding four points to help the Lions secure a preseason victory over the Giants.
Green Bay Packers (Packers 36-19 Bengals)
Dan Whelan - P - DC Defenders - Whelan punted twice against the Bengals, for a total of 85 yards. The 2023 All-XFL punter also kicked off 3 times for the Packers during their Friday night victory over the Bengals.
Miami Dolphins (Dolphins 3-19 Falcons)
Mike Rose - LB - STL Battlehawks - Started at linebacker for the Dolphins on Friday night and recorded 4 tackles, including one solo stop.
Bryce Thompson - S - SEA Sea Dragons - Started at cornerback and tallied 2 total tackles, including one solo stop.
Minnesota Vikings (Vikings 13-24 Seahawks)
Abram Smith - RB - DC Defenders - Smith had 7 carries for 18 yards.
New Orleans Saints (Saints 26-24 Chiefs)
Jontre Kirklin - WR - HOU Roughnecks - Recorded one reception for 5 yards and also tallied three returns, longest for 27 yards, for a total of 72 yards.
Niko Lalos - DE - SEA Sea Dragons - Lalos had one pass deflection against the defending Super Bowl Champs.
New York Giants (Giants 16-21 Lions)
Darren Evans - DB - ARL Renegades - Evans recorded 3 total tackles, including 2 solo stops.
Kobe Smith - DL - SA Brahmas - Smith secured 3 total tackles, including 1 solo stop.
New York Jets (Jets 27-0 Panthers)
Bruce Hector - DL - ARL Renegades - Hector recorded two total tackles, one solo stop, one sack and a forced fumble.
Pita Taumoepenu - LB - VGS Vipers - Tallied one special teams tackle.
Pittsburgh Steelers (Steelers 27-17 Buccs)
Hakeem Butler - WR - STL Battlehawks - Butler had one reception for 17 yards, and tallied one special teams tackle.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Bucs 17-27 Steelers)
C.J. Brewer - DL - HOU Roughnecks - Recorded one solo stop.
Washington Commanders (Commanders 17-15 Browns)
Ferrod Gardner - LB - DC Defenders - Gardner recorded 4 tackles, including 3 solo stops.
Additionally, the following players saw action in NFL Preseason Week 1:
Luq Barcoo - DB - San Antonio Brahmas (Steelers)
Brandon Dillon - TE - Vegas Vipers (Commanders)
Jack Heflin - DL - Houston Roughnecks (Saints)
Antwuan Jackson - DL - Seattle Sea Dragons (Panthers)
Gary Jennings - WR - St. Louis Battlehawks (Panthers)
Derrick Kelly - OL - San Antonio Brahmas (Browns)
Caveon Patton - DL - Orlando Guardians (Falcons)
Liam Ryan - OL - DC Defenders (Seahawks)
Jaryd Jones-Smith - T - St. Louis Battlehawks (Commanders)
Brandon Smith - WR - DC Defenders (Cardinals)
Jack Snyder - OL - Houston Roughnecks (Vikings)
Rex Sunahara - LS - San Antonio Brahmas (Steelers)
Barry Wesley - T - Seattle Sea Dragons (Falcons)
Did not play during NFL Preseason Week 1:
Kevin Atkins - DL - STL Battlehawks (Giants)
Austin Faoliu - DE - SEA Sea Dragons (Seahawks)
Lucky Jackson - WR - DC Defenders (Vikings)
John Lovett - RB - VGS Vipers (Steelers)
Alizé Mack - TE - SA Brahmas (Titans)
Michael Menet - OL - SEA Sea Dragons (Falcons)
Jacques Patrick - RB - SA Brahmas (Broncos)
Darrius Shepherd - WR - STL Battlehawks (Chargers)
Reid Sinnett - QB - SA Brahmas (Bengals)
Willie Taylor - LB - ARL Renegades (Jaguars)
Jordan Thomas - TE - ORL Guardians (Panthers)
XFL Stories from August 15, 2023
- XFL to NFL Update: NFL Preseason Week 1 - XFL
- Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
