NFL Week 1 has unfamiliar QBs, missing stars, injury returns

Posted September 11, 2016 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones warms up wearing cleats in remembrance of 9/11 before the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman) The Associated Press

With Jimmy Garoppolo starting for the Patriots, Carson Wentz behind center for the Eagles and Shaun Hill or Sam Bradford - who really knows? - throwing passes for Minnesota, the first week of the NFL season will play out Sunday with plenty of uncertainty about what to expect.

Other players expected to be absent in Week 1 include Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles, while some are returning from injury, including Green Bay wideout Jordy Nelson and Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.

The early games include: Tampa Bay at Atlanta, Minnesota at Tennessee, Cleveland at Philadelphia, Cincinnati at New York Jets, Oakland at New Orleans, San Diego at Kansas City, Buffalo at Baltimore, Chicago at Houston and Green Bay at Jacksonville.

Games expected to start after 4 p.m. Eastern include: Miami at Seattle, New York Giants at Dallas and Detroit at Indianapolis, with New England playing Arizona on Sunday night.

A fan watches teams warm up before the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) The Associated Press

Country music performer Billy Ray Cyrus, second from left, talks with members of the military before an NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. Cyrus is scheduled to perform the national anthem before the game. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) The Associated Press

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy warms up with a 9/11 remembrance shirt on before the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman) The Associated Press

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