October 21, 2015 | Football
Weekly update on how former @IlliniFootball players are performing in the NFL
Each week the Illini in the NFL update provides coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week.
Jeff Allen, OL, Kansas City Chiefs (@JeffAllen71) – After missing the first two games due to injury, Allen saw action in a reserve role for the fourth straight week in Kansas City's 16-10 Week 6 loss to the Vikings.
Alan Ball, CB, Chicago Bears – Ball, who started the Bears' first three games and then missed the next two due to injury, returned to action and made one tackle in the Bears' overtime loss to the Lions in Week 6.
Jeff Cumberland, TE, New York Jets (@Cumberland85) – Cumberland returned from injury and started at tight end in the Jets win over Washington. He was not targeted in the passing game but did help the Jets offense rackup 34 points and 474 total yards.
Vontae Davis, CB, Indianapolis Colts (@VontaeDavis) – Started at CB for the sixth time this season but did not see many balls thrown his way. He did not record any stats in the Colts' 34-27 loss to the Patriots.
Michael Hoomanawanui, TE, New Orleans Saints – Hoomanawanui played in the Saints' 31-21 win over previously unbeaten Atlanta, but did not record any stats.
Corey Liuget, DE, San Diego Chargers (@CoreyLiuget) – Started at DE against the Chargers' 27-20 loss to the Packers and had five tackles, including a key sack on Aaron Rodgers. On the season, Liuget has 22 tackles and 2.0 sacks.
Corey Liuget, too legit! #SDvsGB pic.twitter.com/AK1IPjQvwg
— San Diego #Chargers (@Chargers) October 18, 2015Whitney Mercilus, DE, Houston Texans (@Merci380) – Mercilus picked up his first two sacks of the season and added three tackles and seven hurries in the Texan's 31-20 win over Jacksonville on Sunday. He has 18 stops, 2.0 sacks and 1 pass defense on the season.
» WATCH one of Mercilus' two sacks against the Jaguars
Whitney Mercilus today. 3 tackles 2 sacks 7 hurries 3 QB Hits. #Texans
— PDS (@PatDStat) October 19, 2015Akeem Spence, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@AkeemSpence) – Spence is on the Buccaneers physically unable to perform (PUP) list with a back injury suffered prior to training camp. He can't be activated to the active roster until after the first six games of the season.
Justin Staples, LB, Tennessee Titans (@J_Staples57) – Staples was activted by the Titans for week six and saw his first action of the season in Tennessee's 38-10 loss to Miami.
Hugh Thornton, OL, Indianapolis Colts (@HughThornton72) – Thornton made his fourth straight start at guard and helped the Colts pile up 407 yards of total offense in the Colts' 34-27 Sunday night loss to the Patriots.
Tavon Wilson, FS, New England Patriots (@TavonWilson27) – Saw action in the Patriots' 34-27 Sunday night win over the Colts and made his first tackle of the season.
Former Illini on Injured Reserve
Jon Asamoah, OL, Atlanta Falcons – After starting 15 games for the Falcons last season, Asamoah will miss entire 2015 season with a hip injury.
Arrelious Benn, Wr, Jacksonville Jaguars (@ArreliousBenn) – Benn suffered a broken collarbone during the preseason and will miss the entire 2015 season. It is the third straight season Benn will miss due to injury.
