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Illini in the NFL: Week 3 Recap

Another Illini added to an NFL roster for the week. A former Super Bowl winner had his best game on his new team.

NFL: New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

We’re back for more National Football League!

Baltimore Ravens

Jihad Ward, defensive end: Monday Night Football featuring an Illini defensive player? Nice! Ward had two tackles, including a tackle-for-loss in Baltimore’s defeat to Kansas City.

Buffalo Bills

Del’Shawn Phillips, linebacker: The Buffalo Bills had the LA Rams in town as the 2-0 teams squared off. Phillips was injured and did not play, but on the bright side, the fact that he was not placed on Injured Reserve means there’s a good chance he’ll suit up sooner rather than later.

Dallas Cowboys:

Malik Turner, wide receiver/special teams: In one of the critical matchups of the week, the Cowboys traveled up to the pacific northwest to take on the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday afternoon. The ‘Boys lost, and Turner has yet to get in a game on offense.

Houston Texans:

Whitney Mercilus, outside linebacker: There’s been a bit of dropoff in Mercilus’ — and really the entire Houston organization’s play — since the NFL returned. Mercilus had two tackles and two assisted tackles in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Indianapolis Colts

Tavon Wilson, safety: Wilson and the Colts hosted the worst team in the NFL in the New York Jets. In what was the biggest blowout of the day compliments of two Colts pick-6’s, Tavon Wilson had a nice game and his best in a Colts uniform: four tackles and a pass deflection.

Jacksonville Jaguars:

Dawuane Smoot, defensive end: Smoot’s Jaguars did battle in a Florida rivalry game against the Miami Dolphins. Smoot is behind Adam Gotsis at the defensive end position on the depth chart. Smoot was on the field for just 13 snaps and did not record any stats.

Kansas City Chiefs:

Nick Allegretti, guard: A special teams blocker and a reserve offensive lineman, Allegretti and the Kansas City Chiefs played against the AFC North’s reigning champion Baltimore Ravens. Allegretti played sparingly in the game — three snaps on offense and six snaps on special teams.

Miami Dolphins:

Ted Karras, center: Karras started at center on Thursday Night Football in Miami’s blowout win at Florida rivals Jacksonville Jaguars.

Clayton Fejedelem, safety/special teams: For the second week in a row, Fejedelem was inactive because of an injury.

Minnesota Vikings:

Hardy Nickerson, linebacker: The former Illini and California Golden Bear was added to the Vikings53-man roster last week. The son of a 15-year NFL veteran and former coach, Nickerson’s Vikings lost by one point to the Tennessee Titans. Nickerson recorded a tackle in the game.

New Orleans Saints:

Justin Hardee, cornerback/special teams: This was two primetime games in a row for Justin Hardee and the New Orleans Saints. That’s what comes with the territory in playing on a team led by Drew Brees and head coach Sean Payton. Hardee had one tackle and one assisted tackle on Sunday Night Football at home against the Green Bay Packers, on top of his regular special teams duties.

Practice Squad guys:

Chase McLaughlin is a practice squad member on the Minnesota Vikings.

*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.