The 2024 NFL season kicks off Thursday night as the Kansas City Chiefs host the Baltimore Ravens.
Then, after another game Friday night, things begin in earnest Sunday.
Numerous St. Louis natives dot the rosters.
The Detroit Lions continue to best represent St. Louis, with six players who hail from the area.
Here's a look at St. Louis natives on NFL rosters.
AJ Epenesa, Buffalo Bills
Position: Defensive end
High school: Edwardsville
College: Iowa
Skinny: Epenesa, who signed a two-year, $12 million deal to remain in Buffalo this past spring, is entering his fifth pro season and has recorded 6.5 sacks each of the last two seasons. He's played 58 games but started just four, and Epenesa has made it his offseason goal to be a starter. Listed as the team's top edge rusher on the depth chart, he may just be on the verge of meeting that objective.
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Jonathan Owens, Chicago Bears
Position: Safety
High school: CBC
College: Missouri Western
Skinny: In his first year in Chicago after signing a two-year deal in the offseason, Owens will see plenty of action as a backup and added depth. The husband of gymnast Simone Biles, Owens made 10 special teams tackles last year with Green Bay.
Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
Position: Running back
High school: John Burroughs
College: Ohio State
Skinny: After a year in New England, Elliott is back with the team that he has spent most of his career with. He rushed for 642 yards and 3.5 yards per rush, both career worsts, last year. Elliott, 29, is listed as the Cowboys' No. 1 running back. But that designation may not be all that important for a team that hopes to deploy a approach.
Isaiah Williams, Detroit Lions
Position: Wide receiver
High school: Trinity Catholic
College: Illinois
Skinny: Williams, undrafted this past spring, worked his way up and earned a roster spot with a strong preseason, leading the team with 11 catches for 123 yard in the preseason as well as some solid kick returning. He began his collegiate career at quarterback before switching to wide receiver midway through. At 5-foot-10, his size is a negative, but he makes up for that with shiftiness.
Jack Fox, Detroit Lions
Position: Punter
High school: Ladue
College: Rice
Skinny: Entering his fifth NFL year, Fox's average slipped to 46.4 yards per punt last year, ranking 22nd in the league, a drop of two yards and 14 spots in the rankings from 2022. At nearly $4 million per year, Fox is the league's by cap hit.
Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions
Position: Wide receiver
High school: Cardinal Ritter
College: Ohio State/Alabama
Skinny: The 12th overall pick in 2022, Williams is still finding himself as a pro after an injury delayed the start to his career and a suspension trimmed the beginning of his second season. This year, however, the team expects big things. Williams will play a larger role in the offense, and reports from camp indicate he's ready for that promotion after putting in the work and doing some maturing.
Mekhi Wingo, Detroit Lions
Position: Defensive tackle
High school: De Smet
College: LSU/Mizzou
Skinny: The rookie, a bit undersized, was picked sixth this past spring and has excelled in training camp. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn even said of Wingo, "He's going to be a good player in this league."
Michael Niese, Detroit Lions
Position: Offensive lineman
High school: SLUH
College: Temple/Dayton
Skinny: Niese made the 53-man roster after spending most of last year on the practice squad. He played in one game, his first-ever NFL appearance, last season. Niese is listed as the backup center on the team's unofficial depth chart. He continues to work his way up after beginning his college career at non-scholarship Dayton.
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
Position: Tight end
High school: Highland
College: Iowa
Skinny: Expectations are high after a record-breaking rookie season. He was ranked as the league's , by 's Adam Rank in the offseason. LaPorta missed time in August with a hamstring injury, but he's expected to be ready by the start of the season.
Antonio Johnson, Jacksonville Jaguars
Position: Safety
High school: East St. Louis
College: Texas A&M
Skinny: In his rookie season last year, Johnson recorded 17 tackles, three pass deflections and a pair of interceptions. Under a new defensive coordinator this season, he's expected to see a . He was named as the Jaguars' by Pro Football Focus.
Foyesade Oluokun, Jacksonville Jaguars
Position: Linebacker
High school: John Burroughs
College: Yale
Skinny: Entering his seventh NFL season and third in Jacksvonville, Oluokun started all 17 games each of the past three seasons. He led the NFL in solo tackles last season for the second straight year. Oluokun earned an offseason extension worth $45 million.
Tershawn Wharton, Kansas City Chiefs
Position: Defensive tackle
High school: University City
College: Missouri S&T
Skinny: The 26-year-old is entering his fifth pro season, all in Kansas City, was on the field for less than half of the team's defensive snaps in most games last season. He has had a and is listed as the Chiefs' top defensive tackle. There's no word on how much Wharton's have aided his preseason.
Hassan Haskins, Los Angeles Chargers
Position: Running back
High school: Eureka
College: Michigan
Skinny: The Chargers claimed Haskins last week off waivers from the Titans, and he'll reunite with his college coach, Jim Harbaugh. Haskins was charged with , which kept him out last season, what would've been his second pro season.
Cody Schrader, Los Angeles Rams
Position: Running back
High school: Lutheran South
College: Mizzou/Truman State
Skinny: Claimed off waivers, there doesn't seem to be a lot of room in the backfield for Schrader. In the preseason with San Francisco, he excelled in returning kickoffs. As a running back, 35 of his 48 preseason rush yards and the perpetual underdog Schrader has gotten used to excelling in situations in which not much is expected of him.
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Position: Running back
High school: Vianney
College: Notre Dame
Skinny: Entering his third pro season, Williams ranked third in the NFL last year with 1,144 rushing yards despite playing four to five fewer games than the two men above him. That showing earned him the starting running back job as well as a spot in the . Williams, who made the Pro Bowl last season, will this year
Terron Armstead, Miami Dolphins
Position: Offensive tackle
High school: Cahokia
College: Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Skinny: The 33-year-old veteran, a team captain, contemplated retirement after injury woes limited him to 10 games last season, but he ultimately decided to return. Despite that, he was No. 67 on the offseason list. A five-time Pro Bowler including each of the past two years, Armstead is also one of the team's strongest .
Armon Watts, New England Patriots
Position: Defensive tackle
High school: CBC
College: Arkansas
Skinny: Listed on the team's injured reserve, the Patriots have reportedly informed Watts of their . With the Steelers last season, Watts' production has steadily declined. Still, another team could find value in the last-minute pickup of Watts.
Khalen Saunders, New Orleans Saints
Position: Defensive tackle
High school: Parkway Central
College: Western Illinois
Skinny: He begins his fifth pro season atop he Saints' depth chart at defensive tackle a year after he recorded a career-best 57 tackles and started all 17 games. He's expected to of the season with a calf injury.
Rico Payton, New Orleans Saints
Position: Cornerback
High school: Lindbergh
College: Pittsburg State/Southern Illinois
Skinny: The undrafted rookie from Division II Pittsburg State made the roster after a strong preseason in which he acquitted himself well, according to rankings. According to , the Saints were concerned they wouldn't be able to pass Payton through waivers, as another team would sign him.
Adoree’ Jackson, New York Giants
Position: Cornerback
High school: Belleville East (freshman year, completed prep career in California)
College: Southern California
Skinny: The eighth-year pro finally signed a deal last week to return to the Giants for a fourth year. Jackson recorded 63 tackles and an interception last season. He'll turn 29 in the season's first month.
Tony Adams, New York Jets
Position: Safety
High school: SLUH
College: Illinois
Skinny: Adams emerged last year, his first season as a full-timer, recording 83 total tackles and three interceptions. Now with the confidence boost that came with proving he can play in the NFL, Adams is ready to take things to the next level. He's projected to again start at safety and coaches expect more leadership from Adams.
MyCole Pruitt, Pittsburgh Steelers
Position: Tight end
High school: Kirkwood
College: Southern Illinois
Skinny: Listed as the team's fourth tight end, Pruitt had just nine catches for 110 yards last year with Atlanta. Entering his 11th NFL season, his earning a roster spot came as a .
Dominick Puni, San Francisco 49ers
Position: Offensive guard
High school: Francis Howell Central
College: Kansas/Central Missouri
Skinny: The rookie third-round pick is likely to start the opener after a teammate's injury. His work ethic and devotion to study have elevated Puni early on.