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The NFL kicks off its regular-season Thursday night with the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers. Former Illinois players Michael Hoomanawanui and Tavon Wilson will be in action for the Patriots.
Hoomanawanui and Wilson both played in Super Bowl XLIX. Hoomanawanui hauled in one reception for four yards, while Wilson didn't record any statistics.
Here's a full list of former Illinois players in the NFL:
- Jeff Allen (OT, Chiefs)
- Jon Asamoah (OL, Falcons)
- Alan Ball (DB, Bears)
- Arrelious Benn (WR, Jaguars)
- Michael Buchanan (DE, Bills)
- Jeff Cumberland (TE, Jets)
- Vontae Davis (CB, Colts)
- Michael Hoomanawanui (TE, Patriots)
- Corey Liuget (DE, Chargers)
- Whitney Mercilus (DE, Texans)
- Akeem Spence (DT, Buccanneers)
- Hugh Thornton (OG, Colts)
- Tavon Wilson (FS, Patriots)
Here's the full schedule with games featuring Illini players in bold:
| Matchup | TV | Time | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots | NBC | 7:30 p.m. | Thursday |
| Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears | FOX | Noon | Sunday |
| Kanas City Chiefs at Houston Texans | CBS | Noon | Sunday |
| Cleveland Browns at New York Jets | CBS | Noon | Sunday |
| Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills | CBS | Noon | Sunday |
| Miami Dolphins at Washington | CBS | Noon | Sunday |
| Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars | FOX | Noon | Sunday |
| Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams | FOX | Noon | Sunday |
| New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals | FOX | 3:05 p.m. | Sunday |
| Detroit Lions at San Diego Chargers | FOX | 3:05 p.m. | Sunday |
| Tennessee Titans at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | CBS | 3:25 p.m. | Sunday |
| Cincinnati Bengals at Oakland Raiders | CBS | 3:25 p.m. | Sunday |
| Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos | CBS | 3:25 p.m. | Sunday |
| New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys | NBC | 7:30 p.m. | Sunday |
| Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons | ESPN | 6:10 p.m. | Monday |
| Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers | ESPN | 9:20 p.m. | Monday |