Each week Rocky Top Insider will recap the performances of former Tennessee Volunteers in the NFL.
Below is a comprehensive list of Week 5’s VFLs in the NFL, including statistics and observations.
Micah Abernathy – Atlanta Falcons – S
Abernathy had one tackle in 23 snaps in the Falcons thrilling 36-30 overtime win against the Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football.
Joshua Dobbs – San Francisco 49ers – QB
Dobbs did not see the field in the 49er’s 24-23 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Jalin Hyatt – New York Giants – WR
Hyatt started in place of injured rookie star Malik Nabers. Unfortunately, his increased snap share did not result in increased production. He did not receive a target in the Giants 29-20 win over the Seahawks.
Theo Jackson – Minnesota Vikings – DB
Jackson recorded one tackle in the Vikings 23-17 win over the Jets in London, England.
Jauan Jennings – San Francisco 49ers – WR
Jennings had one catch on four targets for 13 yards. The 49ers lost to the Arizona Cardinals 24-23.
Alvin Kamara – New Orleans Saints – RB
Behind a banged-up Saints offensive line, Kamara struggled in the ground game, rushing for only 26 yards on 11 carries. He was more efficient through the air, as he caught six passes for 40 yards. With quarterback Derek Carr now out with an injury, look for the Saints to rely on Kamara as rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler fills in while Carr deals with an Oblique injury.
More From RTI: Byron Young Helps Jaylen McCollough Record Pick Six Against Packers
Jaylen McCollough – Los Angeles Rams – DB
McCollough linked up with VFL Byron Young for McCollough’s first interception and touchdown as the former Tennessee defensive back returned a pass from Jordan Love to the end zone. Young got into the backfield, pressuring love until he threw it away from the back of the end zone. The pass fell right to McCollough, and he returned the interception four yards for a touchdown.
HOW! pic.twitter.com/REFZEQVnvR
— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024
Joe Milton III – New England Patriots – QB
Milton did not see the field in the Patriots 15-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins. The Patriots are turning away from quarterback Jacoby Brissett and will let rookie quarterback Drake Maye take over in week six.
Trey Smith – Kansas City Chiefs – OL
Smith continues to be a key piece of the Chiefs offensive line, starting at right guard. It was mentioned many times on theMonday Night Football broadcast that the Chief’s interior offensive line is arguably the best in the NFL. The Chiefs defeated the Saints 26-13.
Alontae Taylor – New Orleans Saints – CB
Taylor continues to be uber-productive in the Saint’s secondary as he had five tackles, two being TFLs, and a forced fumble. The Saints lost to Trey Smith and the Chiefs 26-13.
Darrell Taylor – Chicago Bears – OLB
Taylor had two quarterback hits and two tackles in the Bears’ 36-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Taylor also beat a Panthers offensive lineman off the edge, forcing Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton to step up into the pocket, leading to a sack.
That’s what you call a TEAM sack from the #Bears!
Darrell Taylor, Gervon Dexter, DeMarcus Walker, and Montez Sweat all do their part.pic.twitter.com/C2KmOICew0
— Bears On Tap (@BearsOnTap) October 6, 2024
Cedric Tillman – Cleveland Browns – WR
Tillman played 21 snaps but did not receive a target in the Browns 34-13 loss to the Commanders.
Shy Tuttle – Carolina Panthers – DL
Tuttle had six tackles in the Panther’s 36-10 loss to the Chicago Bears. Tuttle is featured at nose tackle in the Panthers 3-4 scheme.
Dee Williams – Seattle Seahawks – RS
Williams returned one kickoff and one punt, for 24 and seven yards.
Darnell Wright – Chicago Bears – OL
Wright continues to start on the Bears offensive line. The Bears defeated the Carolina Panthers 36-10, and the offensive line did their job, as Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was only sacked once.
Jaylen Wright – Miami Dolphins – RB
Wright featured his most impressive game so far in his young NFL career. Wright carried the ball 13 times for 86 yards in the Dolphins 15-10 win over the Patriots.
Byron Young – Los Angeles Rams – OLB
Young had four tackles for the Rams, one being a TFL. Young’s quarterback hit in the back of the end zone led to a pick-six thrown by Jordan Love to VFL Jaylen McCollough.
Bye Week:
Morgan Cox – Tennessee Titans – LS
Hendon Hooker – Detroit Lions – QB
Gabe Jeudy-Lally – Tennessee Titans – DB
Josh Palmer – Los Angeles Chargers – WR
Jalen Reeves-Maybin – Detroit Lions – LB
Jabari Small – Tennessee Titans – RB
Inactive:
Derek Barnett – Houston Texans – DE
Velus Jones Jr. – Chicago Bears – WR/RB
Cordarrelle Patterson – Pittsburgh Steelers – RB
Practice Squad:
Matthew Butler – Las Vegas Raiders – DT
Princeton Fant – Dallas Cowboys – TE
Kamal Hadden – Green Bay Packers – DB
Jakob Johnson – New York Giants – FB
John Kelly Jr. – Baltimore Ravens – RB
Ramel Keyton – Las Vegas Raiders – WR
Cade Mays – New York Giants – OL
Kendal Vickers – New Orleans Saints – DL
Injured Reserve:
Emmanuel Moseley – Detroit Lions – CB
NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List:
Cameron Sutton – Pittsburgh Steelers – CB
