Illini in the NFL Website

Each week the Illini in the NFL update provides coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week. In week four, Hugh Thornton and Vontae Davis kept the Colts rolling, Corey Liuget stayed hot for the Chargers after winning AFC Defensive Player of the Week last week, and Steve Weatherford had a big day punting for the Giants.

Alan Ball, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars - Started for the fourth week in a row and compiled five tackles tackles and a pass deflection in a loss to the Chargers.

Corey Liuget, DE, San Diego Chargers (@CoreyLiuget) - Liuget had two tackles on Sunday against Jacksonville, one of which went for a loss. The Chargers defensive line forced two interceptions, recorded three sacks, and held the Jaguars' rushing attack to 85 yards in route to a a 33-14 victory. Through four games, Liuget has 15 tackles and is second on the team in sacks.

Hugh Thornton, OL, Indianapolis Colts (@HughThornton72) - Started at guard and protected Andrew Luck who eclipsed last week's 370 yards and 4 touchdown performance by throwing for 393 yards and 4 touchdowns as Colts scored 44 points in their win at home against Tennessee.

Steve Weatherford, P, New York Giants (@Weatherford5) - Punted five times for an average of 45.0 yards per punt in the Giants' 45-14 blowout win over the Redskins on Thursday Night Football. Weatherford pinned Houston inside the 20 on three of his five kicks, not allowing the Redskins to return any of his punts.

Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans Saints (@Pierre_Thomas) - Thomas carried the ball twice and caught two passes out of the backfield for a total of 23 yards on Sunday night as the Saints lost to the Cowboys 38-17.

Brandon Lloyd, WR, San Francisco 49ers (@MrBLloyd) - Started for the second consecutive week and hauled in two catches, one of them going for 23 yards as the 49ers beat the Eagles 26-21.

Whitney Mercilus, DE, Houston Texans (@Merci380) - Started for the third straight game, recorded two tackles, and added two quarterback hits to help the Texans defeat the Bills 23-17.

Vontae Davis, CB, Indianapolis Colts (@VontaeDavis) - Davis started his fourth game this season at cornerback for the Colts, but did not record any tackles this week as the Colts cruised to a 41-17 win over the Titans.

A.J. Jenkins, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (@AJJenkins15) - Caught one pass, but did not gain any yards on the play during Kansas City's Monday Night Football 41-14 win against the Patriots.

Jeff Cumberland, TE, New York Jets (@Cumberland85) - Cumberland started against the Lions on Sunday, but was not targeted in the Jets' 24-17 loss.

Michael Hoomanawanui, TE, New England Patriots (@Hoomanawanui47) - Played in the Patriots' 41-14 loss at Kansas City, but did not record any stats. He currently serves primarily as a blocking TE, with Rob Gronkowski playing the role of pass-catching TE.

Akeem Spence, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@AkeemSpence) - Played in the Bucs' first win of the season, but did not record any stats against the Steelers.

Tavon Wilson, FS, New England Patriots (@TavonWilson27) - Played and had one tackle and one pass deflection on Monday Night Football against the Chiefs.

Glenn Foster, DL, New Orleans Saints (@QBsacked) - After collecting seven tackles and three sacks as a rookie, Foster recorded his first tackle of the season against the Dallas Cowboys.

Michael Buchanan, DE, New England Patriots (@MikeBuke99) - Played but did not record any stats in the Patriots' 41-14 loss to the Chiefs.

Jon Asamoah, OL, Atlanta Falcons - Falcons had a bye in week 4. They play at the Giants in week 5.

Former Illini on Injured Reserved
Jeff Allen, OL, Kansas City Chiefs (@JeffAllen71)

Former Illini on Practice Squads
Jonathan Brown, LB, Arizona Cardinals (@J_B_45) - Practice Squad
Ryan Lankford, WR, Indianapolis Colts (@Playmaka3x4) - Practice Squad
Justin Staples, LB, Tennessee Titans (@J_Staples94) - Practice Squad