TCI has a complete rundown of how Clemson’s NFL alumni performed in Week 8 of the NFL season…
Tampa Bay 23, Atlanta 20 (OT)
TB: Adam Humphries—6 tgts, 3 rec, 14 yds
Humphries was recalled from the practice squad this week due to some injury issues that have plagued the Buccaneers’ receiving corps. The undrafted rookie got extended playing time with Vincent Jackson out, and only stud Mike Evans had more targets than he did. Humphries appears to be a favorite target of Jameis Winston when he’s active and playing.
ATL: Vic Beasley Jr.—2 assisted tackles
Grady Jarrett—3 tackles
Both Beasley and Jarrett continue to be solid but unspectatular contributors to a Falcons defense that is hard to figure out. It can be a helter skelter unit that creates havoc and forces turnovers, or it can be an out-of-sorts unit that allows big plays. Neither iteration has included Beasley or Jarrett being a standout.
Minnesota 23, Chicago 20
CHI: Jarvis Jenkins—3 tackles
It has been a couple of weeks since Jenkins really jumped off the stat sheet. Still, he is in the midst of his best season as a pro in his first year as a Bear. There is no reason to think he is not in the team’s short-term and long-term plans at this point.
Arizona 34, Cleveland 20
ARI: Jaron Brown—4 tgts, 1 rec, 39 yds
Chandler Catanzaro—2-2 FG, 4-4 XP; 1 tackle
Andre Ellington—3 car, 0 yds; 1 tgt
A week after struggling on Monday night, Catman made all of his kicks and even made a tackle on special teams. Brown had peripheral involvement in the passing game, as he usually does. Ellington’s role remains a puzzle. He is in a crowded backfield and recovering from injury, but Chris Johnson fumbled twice on Sunday, so he may have a chance to ascend up the depth chart.
St. Louis 27, San Francisco 6
SFO: Bradley Pinion—9 punts, 45.8 avg
Pinion made a name for himself once again trying to create field position for a woeful 49ers team. Of his nine punts on the day, three planted the Rams inside their own 20, and his longest kick went 60 yards. Suffice it to say Pinion has justified San Francisco’s choice to make him the only punter drafted last year.
New Orleans 52, NY Giants 49
NO: Stephone Anthony—11 tackles (6 solo), PBU
C.J. Spiller—4 car, 21 yds; 4 tgts, 2 rec, 15 yds, TD
Anthony continues to impress for a young Saints defense. He led New Orleans in tackles in what was a wacky affair that didn’t exactly paint either defense in a positive light. Spiller was a negligible part of the offense, but he did catch the game-tying touchdown pass with less than a minute to play.
Cincinnati 16, Pittsburgh 10
PIT: Martavis Bryant—9 tgts, 4 rec, 49 yds
Bryant did not manage a touchdown, but he ranked third on the team in targets against Cincinnati. Minus a couple of drops, the potent slot receiver had a productive game against a tough Bengals defense.
Baltimore 29, San Diego 26
SDG: Kavell Conner—4 tackles (3 solo)
In a struggling Chargers defense, Conner is one of the most consistent pieces. He is entrenched in the rotation because of his ability to be solid—if unspectacular—and not make mistakes.
Houston 20, Tennessee 6
HOU: DeAndre Hopkins—11 tgts, 8 rec, 94 yds
As usual, Hopkins was a dominant force in Houston’s passing game. The stud receiver led the Texans in targets, catches, and receiving yardage, and he also added a 21-yard touchdown reception. In other words, it was just another day at the office for Nuk.
TEN: Coty Sensabaugh—5 tackles (2 solo), PBU
Sensabaugh continues to have a fine season in coverage. The Titans have used him on the outside some this season, which shows the faith that organization has in the veteran after much of his career has been spent primarily at the nickel spot.
Oakland 34, NY Jets 20
NYJ: Marcus Gilchrist—3 tackles (2 solo)
On Sunday, Gilchrist made highlight shows for getting impressively stiff-armed (and rightfully so). However, his season has been far more good than bad, and the veteran safety continues to play a starring role on the Jets’ defense.
Carolina 29, Indianapolis 26 (OT)
IND: Dwayne Allen—3 tgts, 1 rec, 4 yds
Allen still hasn’t factored into the passing game in any meaningful way this season. It was a struggle for Andrew Luck to throw the ball all night long, so those chances were few and far between for Allen once again.
Other Rostered Players: Chris Clemons (ARI), Chris Hairston (SDG), Antoine McClain (ARI), Charlie Whitehurst (TEN).
Inactives: Tavaris Barnes (NO), Kourtnei Brown (HOU), Malliciah Goodman (ATL), Brandon Thomas (SFO), Brandon Thompson (CIN).
Bye Week: Andre Branch (JAC), Bashaud Breeland (WAS), Crezdon Butler (SEA), Byron Maxwell (PHI), Jonathan Meeks (BUF), Tyler Shatley (JAC), Tony Steward (BUF), Sammy Watkins (BUF).