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. Jeff Cumberland caught a touchdown for Jets for the second week in a row and Pro Bowler Vontae Davis had a strip and recovery for the Colts to highlight Week 17. Meanwhile, five former Illini are headed to the playoffs.

Jeff Cumberland, TE, New York Jets (@Cumberland85) - Cumberland had a touchdown catch for the second week in a row, hauling in a 23-yard TD pass from Geno Smith and totaling 2 catches for 23 yards in the Jets' win over Miami. Finished the season with 23 receptions for 247 yards and three touchdowns.

» WATCH Cumberland's 23-yard Touchdown Reception

Vontae Davis, CB, Indianapolis Colts (@VontaeDavis) - Davis had three tackles and forced and recovered a fumble in the 27-10 Colts win over the Titans. Davis was one of the top corners in the league in 2014, earning AFC Pro Bowl honors after totaling 42 tackles, 19 passes defended, four interceptions and two forced fumbles for the playoff-bound Colts.

» WATCH Davis strip and recover Titans RB Bishop Sankey

Corey Liuget, DE, San Diego Chargers (@CoreyLiuget) - Liuget had two tackles and a sack in the Chargers' 19-7 loss to the Chiefs. For the season, Liuget started all 16 games and had 57 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two passes defended, two forced fumbles and a touchdown.

Tavon Wilson, FS, New England Patriots (@TavonWilson27) - Made a season-high five tackles in the Patriots 17-9 loss to Buffalo. Played in all 16 games on the season, making 22 tackles and defending two-passes for the Patriots, who are the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs.

Akeem Spence, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@AkeemSpence) - Spence started and had three tackles in Tampa Bay's 23-20 loss to New Orleans in week 17. For the season, Spence started five games and had 39 tackles and 3.0 sacks.

Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans Saints (@Pierre_Thomas) - Thomas did not play in week 17 due to injury. Had 45 rushes for 222 yards (4.9 ypc) and 45 receptions for 378 yards (8.4 ypr) and three total touchdowns in 11 games on the season.

Whitney Mercilus, DE, Houston Texans (@Merci380) - Started and had three tackles and a sack in the Texans' 23-17 win over Jacksonville. For the season, Mercilus made 13 starts and racked up 50 tackles, 5.0 sacks and two forced fumbles. He has 18 sacks in three seasons with Houston.

Steve Weatherford, P, New York Giants (@Weatherford5) - Weatherford punted six times for 251 yards (41.8 ypp), including two inside the 20, as the Giants lost to the Eagles, 34-26. For the season, Weatherford averaged 45.5 yards per punt on 80 kicks, including 25 inside the 20.

Michael Hoomanawanui, TE, New England Patriots (@Hoomanawanui47) - Started his fourth game in a row and his 12 game of the season, but did not record any stats in the 17-9 Patriots loss to the Bills. Primarily a blocking tight end, Hoomanawanui played in all 16 game and made three catches for 44 yards on the season for the No. 1 seeded Patriots.

Jon Asamoah, OL, Atlanta Falcons - After sitting out week 16 with an injury, Asamoah returned to his usual starting role in the Falcon's week 17 loss to the Panthers. For the season, he started 15 of Atlanta's 16 games.

Brandon Lloyd, WR, San Francisco 49ers (@MrBLloyd) - Lloyd had one catch for 14 yards in the 49ers 20-17 win over the Cardinals. For the season, Lloyd played in 14 games and had 14 catches for 294 yards and one touchdown.

Hugh Thornton, OL, Indianapolis Colts (@HughThornton72) - Thornton was back on the field after missing the previous four games due to injury. The Colts beat the Titans 27-10.

Justin Staples, LB, Tennessee Titans (@J_Staples94) - Played in his sixth game since being activated from the practice squad, but did not record any statistics against the Colts.

Josh Brent, DL, Dallas Cowboys -Brent did not participate in the Cowboys 44-17 win over Washington.

Former Illini on Injured Reserved

Jeff Allen, OL, Kansas City Chiefs (@JeffAllen71)

Alan Ball, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars

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

A.J. Jenkins, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (@AJJenkins15)

Glenn Foster, DL, New Orleans Saints (@QBsacked)

Former Illini on Practice Squads
Jonathan Brown, LB, Chicago Bears (@J_B_45) - Practice Squad
Ryan Lankford, WR, Indianapolis Colts (@Playmaka3x4) - Practice Squad