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 seven, defensive ends Whitney Mercilus and Corey Liuget had breakout performances, Jeff Cumberland recorded his first touchdown of the season and Brandon Lloyd continued his resurgence with another long catch.

Whitney Mercilus, DE, Houston Texans (@Merci380) - Started for the Texans on Monday Night Football against the Steelers and recorded a season-high two sacks to go along with five tackles, and a forced fumble as the Steelers beat the Texans, 30-23. Watch Mercilus sack Roethlisberger and force a turnover.

Corey Liuget, DE, San Diego Chargers (@CoreyLiuget) - Liuget recorded a season-high six tackles and added a sack and a pass deflection against the Chiefs on Sunday. The Chargers fell to the Chiefs on a late field goal, 23-20.

Vontae Davis, CB, Indianapolis Colts (@VontaeDavis) - Vontae Davis helped lead the Colts to their first shutout since 2008 with three tackles and four pass deflections. Watch his big hit on Giovani Bernard

Ouch! RT @Matt_Minnes: Colts Vontae Davis, @VontaeDavis23, with a bone jarring tackle. #Illini #CleanStick https://t.co/HdW6iTFwkM

— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) October 20, 2014

Jeff Cumberland, TE, New York Jets (@Cumberland85) - Cumberland had a season-high 50 yards receiving and caught his first touchdown of the season as the Jets fell to the Patriots on Thursday Night Football, 27-25. Watch Cumberland's TD catch

Brandon Lloyd, WR, San Francisco 49ers (@MrBLloyd) - Lloyd caught three passes for a total of 63 yards, including a 37 yard reception as the 49ers lost on Sunday Night Football to the Broncos, 42-17. He now has 219 receiving yards in the month of October. Watch his 37-yard catch

A.J. Jenkins, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (@AJJenkins15) - Jenkins compiled 37 yards receiving on two catches. Watch his 19-yard gain on third and long

Hugh Thornton, OL, Indianapolis Colts (@HughThornton72) - Protected Andrew Luck, who threw for 344 yards and two touchdowns, and helped the Colts rush for 171 yards in their 27-0 shutout of the Bengals.

Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans Saints (@Pierre_Thomas) - Thomas had six rushing attempts and four passes with a net total of 30 yards as the Saints lost to the Lions 24-23.

Tavon Wilson, FS, New England Patriots (@TavonWilson27) - Started and recorded three tackles to help the Patriots hold off the Jets, 27-25.

Steve Weatherford, P, New York Giants (@Weatherford5) - Weatherford punted five times agains the Cowboys with an average of 44.8 yards per punt. Two of his punts were downed inside the twenty-yard line. The Giants lost to Dallas 31-21.

Alan Ball, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars - Ball started for the Jaguars and had one tackle as the Jaguars defense held the Browns offense to two field goals in Jacksonville's 24-6 win on Sunday.

Michael Hoomanawanui, TE, New England Patriots (@Hoomanawanui47) - Hoomanawanui started at tight end and serves as the primary blocking tight end for the Patriots with Rob Gronkowski as the pass-catching tight end. The Patriots beat the Jets 27-25 on Thursday night.

Jon Asamoah, OL, Atlanta Falcons - Asamoah helped protect Matt Ryan on Sunday as he threw for 228 yards and a touchdown, but the Falcons offensive line allowed five sacks as they lost to the Ravens 29-7.

Glenn Foster, DL, New Orleans Saints (@QBsacked) - Foster played but did not record any stats as the Saints lost to the Lions 24-23 in Detroit.

Akeem Spence, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@AkeemSpence) - The Buccaneers had a bye in week 7. They host the Vikings in week 8.

Former Illini on Injured Reserved

Michael Buchanan, DE, New England Patriots (@MikeBuke99)

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