Illini in the NFL Website

A total of 17 former Fighting Illini football players are in the NFL as the season opens up this weekend. Eleven players are on opening-day 53-man rosters, four are on injured reserved and two more are on practice squads. 

The list of Illini on NFL rosters includes a bevy of veterans like Jeff Allen, Arrelious Benn, Vontae Davis and Whitney Mercilus, to name a few, as well as four rookies in 2016 – Clayton Fejedelem, Josh Ferguson, Ted Karras and Jihad Ward. 

Look for Illini in the NFL updates throughout the season at FightingIllini.com.

Illini in NFL – Opening Day 2016

Illini on Injured Reserve

» Jeff Cumberland, TE, San Diego Chargers – Out for the season after suffering a torn achilles in the Chargers' second preseason game

» Michael Hoomanawanui, TE, New Orleans Saints – Out for season with a leg injury suffered in the Saints' third preseason game

» Matt LaCosse, TE, New York Giants – Out for season with knee injury suffered during Giants training camp

» Hugh Thornton, OL, Indianapolis Colts – Out for season with ankle injury suffered during Colts training camp

Illini on Practice Squads

» Geronimo Allison, WR, Green Bay Packers – Undrafted free agent turned heads during Packers training camp

» Justin Staples, LB, Tennessee Titans – Third-year Titan will start season on practice squad