AJ Brown, DK Metcalf shine in NFL debuts

Published 8:07 am Monday, September 9, 2019

Somehow, what everyone around Oxford has known for years played out perfectly to fruition in week one of the NFL season.

Former Rebels and Mississippi high school football greats AJ Brown and DK Metcalf were fantastic on Sunday in their NFL debuts. Both lead their teams in receiving and played a critical part in their team’s win.

Brown went off in the early window, catching three passes for 100 yards in the Titans win over the Browns on the road. Brown flashed what everyone knew he had in Oxford, fantastic route running and a truly special ability to make moves with the ball in his hands.

“I had a good matchup so I was just trying to make plays for the team,” Brown told reporters after the game. “It was very enjoyable. It was a blessing and we got that first win.”

On the West Coast, former Oxford Charger DK Metcalf said that when he arrived in Seattle he had never heard of former Seahawks Hall of Fame receiver Steve Largent. In week one, he showed up to the game wearing Largent’s throwback jersey. He then broke Largent’s record for receiving yards in a rookie debut.

Metcalf showed off that deep play ability, but also did some new things that fans didn’t really get to see him show off at Ole Miss. He went for 89 yards on four catches, beating Cincinnati defenders deep and making intermediate catches on slant routes.

“I thought DK was special,” Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson said after the game. “He fought for the football. He was special. It’s exciting for him to come in and make some great plays in the first game.”

Elsewhere around the league, Evan Engram had himself a pretty big day in the New York Giants’ 35-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Engram caught 11 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown.