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Illini in the NFL: Week 4 Recap

It was a pretty quiet week overall.

Buffalo Bills v Miami Dolphins Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

An old friend returned from injury and an old friend (kinda) returned to form. Here’s how all our former Illini fared this week in the NFL.

Baltimore Ravens

Jihad Ward, defensive end: Ward did not record any stats in the Ravens’ 31-17 win versus Washington.

Buffalo Bills

Del’Shawn Phillips, linebacker: Phillips missed Sunday’s game versus the Las Vegas Raiders due to a quadriceps injury. Buffalo remained undefeated with its 30-23 road win.

Dallas Cowboys:

Malik Turner, wide receiver/special teams: Turner did not record any stats in the Cowboys’ 49-38 loss to the Cleveland Browns.

Houston Texans:

Whitney Mercilus, outside linebacker: It’s been a frustrating season so far for Mercilus, who’d registered just eight tackles through three games. However, Mercilus appeared to snap out of his slump Sunday, sacking Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins twice, and finishing with four tackles overall. Houston lost, 31-23.

Indianapolis Colts

Tavon Wilson, safety: The veteran DB has played sparingly in a reserve role for the Colts this season, and didn’t record a tackle in Indy’s victory against the Chicago Bears.

Jacksonville Jaguars:

Dawuane Smoot, defensive end: Smoot totaled three stops and a tackle for loss in Jacksonville’s 33-25 defeat at Cincinnati.

Kansas City Chiefs:

Nick Allegretti, guard: This week’s Chiefs/Patriots game was postponed until Monday night due to positive COVID-19 tests. Allegretti again served as o-line depth for the defending Super Bowl champs, who beat the New England Patriots, 26-10.

Miami Dolphins:

Ted Karras, center: Karras started at center in Miami’s Week 4 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Clayton Fejedelem, safety/special teams: Fejedelem was active for Sunday’s game after missing the previous two weeks due to injury. Fej finished with one solo tackle.

Minnesota Vikings:

Hardy Nickerson, linebacker: The former Illini grad transfer was on the Vikings’ active roster for the team’s 31-23 win over Houston, but did not record a tackle.

New Orleans Saints:

Justin Hardee, cornerback/special teams: Hardee was left off the stat sheet in the Saints’ win against Detroit.

Practice Squad guys:

Chase McLaughlin is a practice squad member on the Minnesota Vikings. Veteran defensive lineman and former first-rounder Corey Liuget was added to the Houston Texans’ practice squad this week.

*Just a reminder, Detroit Lions wide receiver Geronimo Allison and New England Patriots tight end Matt LaCosse opted out of the 2020 season because of COVID-19.