January 4, 2019 | Football
Allen, Hardee, Karras, Mercilus, Turner all chasing the ultimate football goal
Five former Illini out of 20 total Illini in the NFL are headed to the 2018 playoffs – Jeff Allen (Chiefs), Justin Hardee (Saints), Ted Karras (Patriots), Whitney Mercilus (Texans), and Malik Turner (Seahawks).
Four more Illini are members of playoff teams but are unable to play due to injuries – Michael Hoomanawanui (Saints), Corey Liuget (Chargers), Carroll Phillips (Colts), and Jihad Ward (Colts). In addition, Josh Ferguson is member of the Texans practice squad.
WILDCARD WEEKEND (Games involving Illini)
Saturday, Jan. 5
Indianapolis at Houston (Mercilus) – 3:35 CT on ESPN
Seattle (Turner) at Dallas – 7:15 pm CT on FOX
Bye Weeks
Kansas City (Allen) – No. 1 seed in AFC
New Orleans (Hardee) – No. 1 seed in NFC
New England (Karras) – No. 2 seed in AFC
ILLINI IN THE PLAYOFFS
» Jeff Allen, OL, Kansas City Chiefs – Seventh-year pro started the season without a team but was picked up by the Chiefs for their Week 7 game against the Bengals. Allen ended up playing in the KC's final 10 games and starting four, helping the Chiefs to a 12-4 record and an AFC West title.
» Justin Hardee, CB, New Orleans Saints – Played mostly on special teams during the season, but got 20 snaps in the defensive backfield in Week 17, making three tackles and one TFL. For the season, Hardee had 19 tackles, 2.0 TFLs, two passes defended and one interception with a 77-yard return while helping the Saints to an NFL-best 13-3 record and NFC South crown.
» Ted Karras, OG/C, New England Patriots – Third-year pro and 2017 Super Bowl Champion played in 13 games for the Patriots, making two starts for the 2018 AFC East champions (11-5). Karras got most of his playing time on field goal and PAT blocking units, while also serving as a backup guard and center.
» Whitney Mercilus, LB, Houston Texans – Now in his seventh NFL season, Mercilus played in all 16 games, making nine starts, while helping the Texans to the AFC South title with an 11-5 record. Mercilus posted 39 tackles, 5.0 TFLs, 4.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and 14 QB hits on the season. He also was the Texans nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.
» Malik Turner, WR, Seattle Seahawks – Rookie wide receiver spent the first half of the season on Seattle's practice squad before getting signed to the active roster and making his NFL debut in Week 9. Finished the season with six games played and two receptions for 20 yards for the 10-6 playoff-bound Seahawks.
