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Former NFL pros to guest star on CBS dramas

CBS is upping its game by tapping four former NFL players to guest star on multiple dramas this fall.

The network, which starts hosting "Thursday Night Football" this week, will feature Tony Gonzalez, Boomer Esiason, Phil Simms and Eric Dickerson on primetime television dramas. And some of the names will likely be familiar to anyone who watches football on CBS.

Tony Gonzalez, analyst for CBS' "The NFL Today," will appear on "NCIS" as Special Agent Tony Francis, who is fishing for information on Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon). The episode will air Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. ET.

Fellow CBS sports analyst Boomer Esiason will appear as himself on "Blue Bloods" when he pays a visit to Commissioner Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck) at his office. The former quarterback will appear on the Oct. 3 episode airing at 10 p.m. ET.

NFL Hall of Fame inductee Eric Dickerson will play himself on "Hawaii Five-0" when McGarrett (Alex O'Loughlin) runs into him in a bait shop on Oahu and takes a selfie with the football legend to make Danno (Scott Caan) jealous. Dickerson's guest appearance will air Oct. 31 at 9 p.m.

And finally, Phil Simms, lead "NFL Today" and "Thursday Night Football" analyst, will grace the small screen on "Elementary" as an associate of Sherlock's (Jonny Lee Miller) who has a surprising, little-known talent. The episode is slated for Nov. 13 at 10 p.m.

CBS' "Thursday Night Football" gets underway Thursday (tonight) with the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers.

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