NFL Week 1: LDS player update

One-time college rivals had good statistical showings in their respective teams' first game of the 2008 NFL season.Former Utah defensive back Eric Weddle and former BYU linebacker Bryan Kehl are among the 27 Latter-day Saints that Mormon Times counts on NFL rosters.On Sunday, Weddle, in his second year with San Diego, started at safety and led the team with 11 tackles. Kehl, in his first regular-season game as a professional, made five tackles for the Giants in Thursday's 16-7 victory over Washington.Unfortunately for Weddle, the San Diego defense gave up a last-second touchdown to Carolina in a 26-24 Panthers win.Elsewhere in Week 1, Provo (Utah) High School product and Stanford graduate Kirk Chambers, a returned missionary, started at right tackle for Buffalo in the Bills' 34-10 home victory over Seattle. Chambers had been listed as a backup heading into the season, but an injury to Jason Peters forced him into the starting lineup.In that same game, Bills backup defensive end Ryan Denney scored a touchdown on a fake field goal after catching a pass from holder Brian Moorman and running 19 yards for the score. Denney also recorded a sack. Meanwhile, Denney's former BYU teammate, Pittsburgh defensive end Brett Keisel, had five tackles, one for loss, in a 38-17 Steelers victory over the Texans.Among the other LDS players making starts for their respective teams were Todd Heap (TE, Ravens), Eric Heitmann (OL, 49ers), Deuce Lutui (OL, Cardinals), Brandon Manumaleuna (TE, Chargers), Edwin Mulitalo (OL, Lions), Haloti Ngata (DL, Ravens), Derek Smith (LB, Chargers) and John Tait (OL, Bears).Ngata recorded three tackles, one for loss, in Baltimore's win over Cincinnati. Arizona safety Aaron Francisco, New York Jets defensive lineman Sione Pouha, San Diego defensive lineman Ryon Bingham and Pittsbugh defensive lineman Chris Hoke saw playing time in reserve roles.Brady Poppinga (LB, Packers), Spencer Larsen (LB, Broncos) and Naufahu Tahi (FB, Vikings) play for teams that will be featured in tonight's Monday Night Football doubleheader.Eagles starting wide receiver Kevin Curtis, a returned missionary from Utah State, sat out due to injury. Second-year quarterback John Beck, who is now third string in Miami, was not activated for the game by the Dolphins.

Who have we missed? If you have a name to add to the list below, e-mail mormontimes@desnews.com or click here.

Name, position, team, collegeJohn Beck, QB, Dolphins, BYU

Ryon Bingham, DL, Chargers, Nebraska

*Kirk Chambers, OL, Bills, Stanford

*Kevin Curtis, WR, Eagles, Utah State

John Denney, LS, Dolphins, BYU

Ryan Denney, DE, Bills, BYU

Aaron Francisco, DB, Cardinals, BYU

David Hale, OL, Ravens, Weber State

*Todd Heap, TE, Ravens, Arizona State

*Eric Heitmann, OL, 49ers, Stanford

Chris Hoke, DL, Steelers, BYU

Scott Jackson, OL, Texans, BYU

Bryan Kehl, LB, Giants, BYU

Brett Keisel, DL, Steelers, BYU

Spencer Larsen, LB, Broncos, Arizona*Deuce Lutui, OL, Cardinals, Southern California

Brandon Manumaleuna, TE, Chargers, Arizona

*Edwin Mulitalo, OL, Lions, Arizona

Shawn Murphy, OL, Dolphins, Utah State

*Haloti Ngata, DL, Ravens, Oregon

*Brady Poppinga, LB, Packers, BYU

Sione Pouha, DT, Jets, Utah

*Derek Smith, LB, Chargers, Arizona State

Naufahu Tahi, FB, Vikings, BYU

*John Tait, OL, Bears, BYU

*Eric Weddle, DB, Chargers, Utah

Scott Young, OL, Browns, BYU

*Starters