Former Illini in the NFL: Week 3
- Story byThe News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, Ill.
- Former Illini in the NFL: Week 3
Sep. 26—Two weeks of the NFL season are fully in the books and Week 3 is now underway after the Falcons' 35-14 victory against the Packers on Thursday night at Lambeau Field in Green Bay , Wis. So, let's check in with how the 21 former Illini on active NFL rosters are faring so far early on in the 2026 season:
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➜ What happened: Adams started at right guard and finished by playing all 50 offensive snaps, plus one snap on special teams, in the Cardinals' 31-7 home loss last Sunday to the Seattle Seahawks .
➜ What's next: Arizona (1-1) hits the road to play an NFC West division showdown against the 49ers (2-0) at 3:05 p.m. on Sunday from Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
➜ What happened: The safety played six snaps on special teams, as Adams and the Titans lost in the final seconds, with the Eagles rallying late for the 24-20 victory this past Sunday in Nashville, Tenn.
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➜ What's next: Tennessee (0-2) will still be searching for its first win of the season when the Titans face the Giants (1-1) at noon on Sunday from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
➜ What happened: The offensive lineman started at center and Allegretti logged 76 combined snaps in the Commanders' 37-20 loss to the rival Cowboys last Sunday in Arlington, Texas.
➜ What's next: Washington (0-2) has its home opener at noon on Sunday against the Seahawks (2-0) at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md.
Tanner Arkin
➜ What happened: The tight end was on the inactive list for New England 's 20-3 victory against the Steelers this past Sunday in Foxborough, Mass.
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➜ What's next: The Patriots (1-1) head south for a noon kick against the Jaguars (1-1) at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville , Fla.
➜ What happened: Brown started at running back and ended up with 80 rushing yards on 20 carries while also getting targeted five times in the passing game but had three receptions for only two yards in the Bengals' 20-6 victory against the Texans last Sunday in Houston . Brown also participated on 42 of 60 offensive snaps.
➜ What's next: Cincinnati (2-0) visits the Steelers (1-1) for a noon game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh .
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➜ What happened: On Thursday night, the defensive back made one tackle and played 34 snaps during the Falcons' 35-14 win at Green Bay. Brown was on the field for 32 combined snaps and had a total of three tackles in the Falcons' 34-3 loss this past Sunday in Week 2 to the Panthers in Atlanta.
➜ What's next: Atlanta (1-2) has the weekend off before an Oct. 5 Monday night matchup against the Saints at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans .
➜ What happened: The wide receiver had one rush attempt for 16 yards and was targeted once in the passing game (with no receptions) in a 20-13 victory by the Broncos against the Jaguars last Sunday in Denver, where Bryant logged 41 offensive snaps.
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➜ What's next: The Broncos (1-1) are looking for back-to-back wins at 7:20 p.m. on Sunday against the Rams (1-1) from Empower Field at Mile High in Denver.
J.C. Davis
➜ What happened: The offensive lineman landed on the inactive list for the Giants' 28-6 loss this past Monday night against the Rams in Inglewood, Calif.
➜ What's next: New York (1-1) aims to rebound at noon on Sunday when the Giants host the Titans (0-2).
New England Patriots
➜ What happened: The quarterback did not play in New England's 20-3 home victory last Sunday against the Steelers.
➜ What's next: The Patriots (1-1) will face the Jaguars (1-1) at noon on Sunday in Jacksonville, Fla.
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TeRah Edwards
Carolina Panthers
➜ What happened: The defensive tackle tallied three tackles during his 43 snaps on defense and special teams in the Panthers' 34-3 victory against the host Falcons this past Sunday in Atlanta.
➜ What's next: Carolina (1-1) is set for a noon game against the Browns (1-1) at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland .
Houston Texans
➜ What happened: Hansen started at one of the linebacker spots and netted four tackles on defense and also supplied one tackle on special teams while playing 62 combined snaps on those two units, as the Texans came up short in a 20-6 loss to the Bengals last Sunday in Houston.
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➜ What's next: The Texans (0-2) will try to get on track against the Colts (0-2) at noon on Sunday from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis .
New England Patriots
➜ What happened: The rookie outside linebacker's first career interception was a memorable one as Jacas picked off future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers and returned it 11 yards. New England frustrated Rodgers and Pittsburgh all day en route to a 20-3 victory against the Steelers this past Sunday in Foxborough, Mass. Jacas played 61 combined snaps and had two total tackles on defense and assisted on a special teams tackles — along with one quarterback hit — in the 17-point win.
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➜ What's next: New England (1-1) plays its second road game in the opening three weeks against the Jaguars (1-1) at noon on Sunday from EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla.
Cincinnati Bengals
➜ What happened: The starting center was on the field for all 60 of the Bengals' offensive snaps — and added four snaps on special teams — as Cincinnati produced 267 yards as an offense in a 20-6 victory against the Texans last Sunday in Houston.
➜ What's next: The Bengals (2-0) have a Week 3 game at noon on Sunday against the Steelers (1-1) from Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.
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San Francisco 49ers
➜ What happened: The offensive lineman played for a total of 13 snaps in the 49ers' 35-13 victory against the Dolphins this past Sunday in Santa Clara, Calif.
➜ What's next: San Francisco (2-0) is at home for another week as the 49ers play host to the Cardinals (1-1) at 3:05 p.m. on Sunday from Levi's Stadium.
Washington Commanders
➜ What happened: The defensive back started at safety and amassed two tackles while playing 30 snaps on defense and another 22 snaps on the special teams unit. Still, the Commanders were unable to notch their first win of the season as the Cowboys handed them a 37-20 defeat last Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
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➜ What's next: It doesn't get any easier for Washington (0-2) with the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks (2-0), who will might have Sam Darnold back at quarterback, visiting for a noon game on Sunday at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md.
➜ What happened: The place kicker made all four of his field-goal attempts from 59, 45, 31 and 31 yards — and was also successful on his only extra-point attempt — but that wasn't enough in the Buccaneers' 23-19 loss to the Browns last Sunday in Tampa , Fla.
➜ What's next: Tampa Bay (0-2) hosts the Vikings (2-0) at 3:05 p.m. on Sunday from Raymond James Stadium.
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Denver Broncos
➜ What happened: The offensive lineman played eight total snaps in the Broncos' 20-13 victory this past Sunday against the Jaguars in Denver.
➜ What's next: The Broncos (1-1) are at home for another week with the Rams (1-1) visiting for a 7:20 p.m. AFC-NFC crossover game on Sunday in Denver.
Del'Shawn Phillips
➜ What happened: Phillips started at linebacker and finished tied with defensive back Derwin James for the team-high in tackles with seven, but the Chargers couldn't slow down the Raiders in a 26-14 home loss this past Sunday. Phillips was on the field for 54 total snaps, as Los Angeles remained winless after two home losses at SoFi Stadium.
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➜ What's next: The Chargers (0-2) play their first road game of the season at noon on Sunday against the Bills (2-0) at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y.
James Thompson Jr.
San Francisco 49ers
➜ What happened: The defensive lineman participated on 21 snaps and had two tackles before suffering a high-ankle sprain during the third quarter of San Francisco's 35-13 home victory against the Dolphins last Sunday.
➜ What's next: Thompson, who could miss multiple weeks with that injury, has already been ruled out for a 3:05 p.m. NFC West matchup on Sunday for the 49ers (2-0) against the Cardinals (1-1) in San Clara, Calif.
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➜ What happened: Williams did a little bit of everything for coach Aaron Glenn's team this past Sunday during the Jets' 20-17 loss against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., as the wide receiver played a total of 72 snaps (61 on offense). Williams earned the start at wideout and had six catches for 34 yards while also running the ball once for 14 yards. The 25-year-old St. Louis native returned five kickoffs for 124 yards on special teams, as well, and had three punt returns for two yards (with a muffed punt that was recovered by one his teammates).
➜ What's next: New York (1-1) plays the Lions (1-1) at noon on Sunday from Ford Field in Detroit .
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Seattle Seahawks
➜ What happened: The starting cornerback was tied for the team-lead with eight tackles and had one tackle for a loss, as the Seahawks held the Cardinals to just 151 yards of total offense during Seattle's 31-7 road victory last Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Witherspoon also participated on 48 of 50 defensive snaps in the blowout win.
➜ What's next: The Seahawks (2-0) travel across the country to face the Commanders (0-2) at noon on Sunday in Landover, Md.
Other notables
➜ Injured reserve: Milo Eifler (Tennessee Titans), Kendrick Green (Cleveland Browns), Nate Hobbs (San Francisco 49ers) and Jer'Zhan Newton (Washington Commanders).
➜ Physically unable to perform (PUP) list: Kerby Joseph ( Detroit Lions ) and Tip Reiman (Arizona Cardinals).
