Week 3 of the NFL season has concluded, and for the first time in a long time, it was a quiet performance across the board for former Penn State players in the NFL.
From a pair of Jacksonville Jaguars hauling in passes to some solid special teams work, here’s how ex-Nittany Lions fared this week.
Brenton Strange, tight end, Jacksonville Jaguars
Brenton Strange led the way this week for the Jaguars as quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s favorite target.
His team won in 17-10 fashion against the Houston Texans, and he finished with a statline of six receptions on seven targets for a team-best 71 yards.
Strange has emerged as the No. 1 tight end in Jacksonville as both a pass-catcher and in blocking situations. He sat behind Evan Engram last year, but after Engram departed for the Denver Broncos, Strange has carved out a nice role for himself in a young offense.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr., center, celebrates his rushing touchdown with tight end Brenton Strange (85) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Carolyn Kaster | AP Photo
On the year, he has totaled 13 receptions on 16 targets with 137 yards to go with it.
Parker Washington, wide receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars
Parker Washington had a quieter day compared to his teammate in Strange, but his role in the offense is continuing to grow.
In the win over the Texans, he finished second in receptions behind Strange and third in yardage behind rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
Washington posted four receptions for 34 yards, adding to his 2025 totals that has him sitting at nine receptions for 110 yards.
In Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers, he didn’t record any stats offensively. His role since has drastically increased, as in the following two games stretch, he’s garnered 16 targets from Lawrence.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington, left, makes a catch over Cincinnati Bengals cornerback DJ Turner II (20) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Jeff Dean | AP Photo
Blake Gillikin, punter, Arizona Cardinals
The 2025 Nittany Lions have had all eyes on its 6-foot-6, 297-pound punter Gabe Nwosu, but as far as the NFL has gone, a former Penn State player at the position has been finding success at the professional level.
Blake Gillikin has been playing for the Arizona Cardinals in sixth NFL season and third with the Cardinals following a three-year stint with the New Orleans Saints.
He’s coming off of a game where he netted five punts with an average of 51.6 yards per boot. Two of the kicks deep went inside the 20-yard line.
Arizona Cardinals punter Blake Gillikin (12) kicks the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Ross D. Franklin | AP Photo
In 2025, Gillikin tallied 11 punts with an average of 51.6 yards per punt, and three of them went inside the 20-yard line.
NFC East running backs
Saquon Barkley and Miles Sanders didn’t have the greatest showings this week for their respective teams.
In the 33-26 win for the Philadelphia Eagles over the Los Angeles Rams, Barkley notched 18 carries for 46 yards, good for 2.6 yards per carry. He also added four receptions, but was contained, as his yardage total only reached nine on the grabs.
Barkley has 194 yards on the ground on 58 carries with two scores this year, and will more than likely return to form after his record-breaking 2024 that resulted in a Super Bowl win.
On the other hand, Sanders is still searching for an opportunity to be the lead running back. After starting his career with the Eagles, he left for the Carolina Panthers and has now joined the Dallas Cowboys for 2025.
In the 31-14 loss to the Chicago Bears, Sanders netted nine carries for 41 yards and three catches for 12 yards, but was outplayed by Javonte Williams, who recorded 10 carries for 76 yards and five catches for 16 yards.
Williams came to Dallas this offseason after time with the Denver Broncos, and through the early portion of the season has been the No. 1 back over Sanders.
Other
Abdul Carter continues to be a consistent presence for the New York Giants, netting four total tackles against the Kansas City Chiefs, including one pass rush that was trending on X after it happened.
Tyler Warren has flashed through the early portion of the season for the Indianapolis Colts, but he had his worst day of his short NFL career, totaling three catches for 38 yards against the Tennessee Titans.
Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren (84) runs past Miami Dolphins safety Dante Trader Jr. (25) during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
AJ Mast | AP Photo
Jaquan Brisker has 13 total tackles for the Bears at safety, but had his quietest day of the year on Saturday with three total tackles.
Special teams coordinator Justin Lustig shouted out Kobe King on Thursday for his work on special teams for the Minnesota Vikings, playing on all four coverage units. In the 48-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, the linebacker netted his first career tackle.
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