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NFL Preseason: Chase Garbers Throws TD Pass; Kekoa Crawford Scores

Former Cal players: Nikko Remigio performs well. Elijah Hicks, Jordan Kunaszyk are starters. Patrick Laird, Cameron Goode get playing time
Jake Curtis|
NFL Preseason: Chase Garbers Throws TD Pass; Kekoa Crawford Scores
NFL Preseason: Chase Garbers Throws TD Pass; Kekoa Crawford Scores

Former Cal wide receiver Kekoa Crawford and Nikko Remigio made positive impressions during the Kansas City Chiefs’ game against New Orleans in the preseason opener on Sunday.

And ex-Golden Bears quarterback Chase Garbers, who was re-signed by the Raiders a week ago, played the fourth quarter against the 49ers. Garbers, who is fourth on the Raiders' depth chart at quarterback and a long shot to make the Raiders, put up decent numbers in his short performance against the Niners.

He was 3-for-5 for 11 yards, and he threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Sincere McCormick.

Other former Cal players hoping to make a regular-season NFL roster include Elijah Hicks, Jordan Kunaszyk, Patrick Laird and Cameron Goode, all of whom got on the field in the first week of preseason games.

However, Crawford and Remigio had the best days in Sunday:

Crawford did not make an NFL roster last year after going undrafted in the 2022 NFL draft, but he signed with the Chiefs as a free agent in the offseason after posting a better-than-expected 40-yard dash time at Cal Pro Day last winter.

He got playing time in the second half Sunday and made two catches for 8 yards, and that it included a diving, 8-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Shane Buechele.

Remigio played four seasons as Cal before using his extra year of college eligibility at Fresno State under former Cal head coach Jeff Tedford. He had 74 catches for 852 yards and six touchdowns at Fresno State in 2022, and he signed with the Chiefs as a free agent.

He opened some eyes by making four receptions for 71 yards in his first preseason game against th Saints.

Crawford and Remigio still face an uphill battle to make the regular-season roster of the defending Super Bowl champs, but what they show in preseason could make them attractive to other NFL teams.

With Jimmy Garoppolo sitting out for the Raiders, there was speculation that ex-Cal quarterback Chase Garbers might play in Sunday’s game against the 49ers after getting re-signed by Las Vegas last week. But Raiders rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell played the entire game.

Other ex-Cal players in preseason games this weekend:

Cameron Jordan, Saints: Jordan was one of the few standout veterans who played this weekend. He was a starter against Kansas City and had one tackle.

Elijah Hick, Bears: Hicks made the Bears’ roster last season and is hoping to stick again this year. He was in the starting lineup at safety in Chicago’s preseason opener against the Titans and had four tackles – two on defense and two on special teams.

Cameron Goode, Dolphin: Outside linebacker Goode, a sixth-round draft pick of Miami in 2022, did not start this weekend against the Falcons, but he was on the field to make two tackles, including one solo stop

Ashtyn Davis, Jets: Davis was a starting safety against the Panthers, and he recorded three tackles, one of which came on special teams.

Jake Curhan, Seahawks: Curhan was in the starting lineup at right tackle against the Vikings.

Patrick Laird, Buccaneers: Laird, a running back, came off the bench to rush for 8 yards on two carries against the Steelers, and was the target of one pass that was incomplete.

Camryn Bynum, Vikings: Bynum was a starting safety against Seattle, but did not record any statistics.

Jordan Kunaszyk, Browns: Kunaszyk was a starting inside linebacker against the Commanders, but did not have any statistics.

Kuony Deng, Bears: Deng got into the game against the Titans at linebacker, but did not register any statistics.

Bryan Anger, Cowboys: The Cowboys punter had five punts for an average of 42.8 yards per boot.

A number of ex-Cal players did not play, primarily because they are veterans who have already established themselves. That includes this group:

Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Lions quarterback Jared Goff, Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr., Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen, Ravens offensive lineman Patrick Mekari and Falcons safety Jaylinn Hawkins.

Cover photo of Chase Garbers by Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

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Jake Curtis
JAKE CURTIS

Jake Curtis worked in the San Francisco Chronicle sports department for 27 years, covering virtually every sport, including numerous Final Fours, several college football national championship games, an NBA Finals, world championship boxing matches and a World Cup. He was a Cal beat writer for many of those years, and won awards for his feature stories.

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