Former Illini, area stars in NFL graphic | Newsletter

N-G sports writer Joe Vozzelli with an update on the 22 former Illini and one ex-area standout on NFL 53-man rosters:

Isaiah Adams Offensive lineman, Arizona CardinalsWhat happened:On Thursday night, Adams was the Cardinals’ starting right guard and played all 67 offensive snaps, as Arizona rallied late only to lose 23-20 at home to the Seahawks on a walk-off field goal. Adams started at right guard and played all 66 offensive, plus another four snaps on special teams, in the Cardinals’ 16-15 road loss to the 49ers this past Sunday, as well.What’s next:Arizona (2-2) will next play on Oct. 5 against the Titans at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.Tony Adams Defensive back, New York JetsWhat happened:A hip injury kept the safety off the field as Adams was on the inactive list for the Jets’ 29-27 road loss against the Buccaneers this past Sunday.What’s next:New York (0-3) will look to get its first win against the also-winless Dolphins (0-3) with the AFC East rivals set for a 6:15 p.m. kick on Monday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.Nick Allegretti Offensive lineman, Washington CommandersWhat happened:Allegretti found the field for eight snaps on special teams in the Commanders’ 41-24 home victory against the Las Vegas Raiders last Sunday.What’s next:Washington (2-1) will travel to face the Falcons (1-2) at noon on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.Chase Brown Running back, Cincinnati BengalsWhat happened:Brown started at running back as the Bengals’ offense struggled to move the ball in a 48-10 loss to the Vikings this past Sunday in Minneapolis. Brown finished with 10 carries for only three yards and had four catches for 17 yards while playing 31 of 56 offensive snaps.What’s next:Cincinnati (2-1) will face the Broncos (1-2) at 7:15 p.m. on Monday at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver.Sydney Brown Defensive back, Philadelphia EaglesWhat happened:Brown played 44 combined snaps on defense and special teams and ended up with two tackles on defense while also posting an assisted tackle on special teams in the Eagles’ thrilling 33-26 comeback home win against the Los Angeles Rams this past Sunday.What’s next:A battle of unbeatens as reigning champion Philadelphia (3-0) will square off with the Buccaneers (3-0) at noon on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.Pat Bryant Wide receiver, Denver BroncosWhat happened:Bryant took part on 13 snaps on offense but was not targeted in the passing game during the Broncos’ 23-20 road loss to the Chargers last Sunday.What’s next:Denver (1-2) plays host to the Bengals (2-1) at 7:15 p.m. on Monday in Denver.Tommy DeVito Quarterback, New England PatriotsWhat happened:DeVito was inactive for the Patriots’ 21-14 loss at home to the Steelers last Sunday.What’s next:New England (1-2) will play another home game with the Panthers (1-2) on tap for a noon kickoff on Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.Jake Hansen Linebacker, Houston TexansWhat happened:The backup linebacker assisted on a special teams tackle during his 24 snaps on that unit in the Texans’ 17-10 loss to the Jaguars this past Sunday in Jacksonville, Fla.What’s next:Houston (0-3) will aim to notch its first victory of the 2025 season against the Titans (0-3) at noon on Sunday at NRG Stadium in Houston.Nate Hobbs Defensive back, Green Bay PackersWhat happened:Hobbs started at cornerback and produced two tackles, one of which was for loss, with the defensive back logging 48 snaps on defense and adding another four snaps on special teams in the Packers’ 13-10 loss to the Browns last Sunday in Cleveland.What’s next:Green Bay (2-1) has a prime-time showdown with the Cowboys (1-2) at 7:20 p.m. on Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.Kerby Joseph Defensive back, Detroit LionsWhat happened:The starting safety compiled three solo tackles during his 55 defensive snaps, as the Lions delivered an impressive 38-30 victory against the Ravens on Monday night at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.What’s next:Detroit (2-1) will welcome in the Browns (1-2) for a noon kickoff on Sunday in an NFC-AFC crossover matchup at Ford Field in Detroit.Ted Karras Offensive lineman, Cincinnati BengalsWhat happened:Karras started at center and played all 56 offensive snaps, but the Bengals lost 48-10 at the Vikings last Sunday.What’s next:Cincinnati (2-1) will face the Broncos (1-2) at 7:15 p.m. on Monday in Denver.Vederian Lowe Offensive lineman, New England PatriotsWhat happened:The reserve offensive lineman played two snaps on special teams, as the Patriots came up short in a 21-14 home loss to the Steelers this past Sunday.What’s next:New England (1-2) will play the Panthers (1-2) at noon on Sunday in Foxborough, Mass.Quan Martin Defensive back, Washington CommandersWhat happened:The starting safety combined on three tackles and played all 66 defensive snaps while adding 10 snaps with special teams in the Commanders’ 41-24 home victory against the Raiders last Sunday in Landover, Md.What’s next:Washington (2-1) will head south ahead for a noon matchup on Sunday against the Falcons (1-2) in Atlanta.Chase McLaughlin Place kicker, Tampa Bay BuccaneersWhat happened:The starting kicker made five field goals (and had one blocked) with the Texan connecting from 54, 33, 28, 55 and 36 yards in helping the Buccaneers to a 29-27 victory against the Jets this past Sunday in Tampa, Fla. McLaughlin also made both of his extra-point attempts.What’s next:Tampa Bay (3-0) will play the Eagles (3-0) at noon on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.Jer’Zhan Newton Defensive lineman, Washington CommandersWhat happened:The backup defensive tackle had one solo tackle and assisted on another tackle in the Commanders’ 41-24 home victory against the Raiders last Sunday. Newton played 21 defensive snaps in Washington’s 17-point win.What’s next:The Commanders (2-1) will face the Falcons (1-2) at noon on Sunday in Atlanta.Alex Palczewski Offensive lineman, Denver BroncosWhat happened:The reserve offensive lineman participated on three offensive snaps and four special teams snaps, as the Broncos lost 23-20 to the host Chargers last Sunday.What’s next:Denver (1-2) will aim to get back on track at 7:15 p.m. on Monday against the Bengals (2-1).Del’Shawn Phillips Linebacker, Los Angeles ChargersWhat happened:Phillips played a total of 27 snaps on special teams, as the Chargers came back for a 23-20 victory against the Broncos this past Sunday at home.What’s next:Los Angeles (3-0) will make the cross-country trip ahead of a noon game on Sunday in Week 4 against the New York Giants (0-3) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.Tip Reiman Tight end, Arizona CardinalsWhat happened:On Thursday night, Reiman played 19 snaps as a reserve tight end in the Cardinals’ 23-20 home loss to the Seahawks. Reiman started at tight end and had two receptions for eight yards while playing 33 snaps on offense in the Cardinals’ 16-15 loss to the 49ers this past Sunday in Santa Clara, Calif.What’s next:Arizona (2-2) will not play next until Oct. 5 when the Cardinals meet the Titans at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.Trent Sherfield Wide receiver, Denver BroncosWhat happened:The Danville native logged 22 snaps on offense and another 17 snaps on special teams but did not record any other statistics in the Broncos’ 23-20 road loss to the Chargers this past Sunday.What’s next:Denver (1-2) plays its second home game of the 2025 season against the Bengals (2-1) at 7:15 p.m. on Monday.Dawuane Smoot Defensive lineman, Jacksonville JaguarsWhat happened:Smoot tallied four total tackles while playing 30 snaps on defense, plus two snaps on special teams, in the Jaguars’ 17-10 home victory against the Texans last Sunday.What’s next:Jacksonville (2-1) will head to the Bay Area ahead of a 3:05 p.m. Sunday showdown against the 49ers (3-0) at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.Jihad Ward Defensive lineman, Tennessee TitansWhat happened:The outside linebacker had one quarterback hit and played 29 snaps during the Titans’ 41-20 loss to the Colts this past Sunday in Nashville, Tenn.What’s next:Tennessee (0-3) will play an AFC South matchup against the Texans (0-3) at noon on Sunday in Houston.Casey Washington Wide receiver, Atlanta FalconsWhat happened:Washington landed on the inactive list as he remained in concussion protocol for the Falcons’ 30-0 road loss last Sunday against the Panthers.What’s next:Atlanta (1-2) will host the Commanders (2-1) at noon on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.Devon Witherspoon Defensive back, Seattle SeahawksWhat happened:After missing the last two games due to an MCL injury in his knee, Witherspoon returned to game action and the starting cornerback had a big game with a team-high nine tackles along with 0.5 sacks, one quarterback hit and one pass defended in the Seahawks’ 23-20 victory against the Cardinals on Thursday night in Glendale, Ariz.What’s next: Seattle (3-1), which has won three straight games after its season-opening loss, will play host to the Buccaneers for a Week 5 matchup on Oct. 5 at Lumen Field in Seattle.