Wildcats in the NFL – Wild Card Round
Jan 08, 2019 | Football
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Each week throughout the 2018 season, k-statesports.com recaps the action for former Kansas State football players currently in the NFL. For players whose teams did not make the playoffs, click here.
Deante Burton, CB – Houston Texans
Burton has made his third team this season stick as he has been a member of the Houston Texans since October 31. He played in his first-career playoff game in Houston's 21-7 loss to Indianapolis, seeing action on five special teams plays. The Manhattan, Kansas, native was signed by the Texans off Atlanta's practice squad, while he also played in the Falcons' season-opener – recording one tackle – and was with the Green Bay Packers a few weeks later.
Tyler Lockett, WR/Returner – Seattle Seahawks
A fourth-year pro, Lockett turned in the best postseason performance of his career by totaling 194 all-purpose yards, but it wasn't enough as Seattle fell at Dallas, 24-22. Lockett hauled in four passes for 120 yards – including a long of 53 yards – returned a kickoff for 52 yards and three punts for 22 yards. The Tulsa, Oklahoma, native finished the regular season by catching 57 receptions for 965 yards and 10 touchdowns, the best statistical season of his pro career. His 10 touchdowns tied for sixth in the NFL along with his 16.9-yard average per catch.
Byron Pringle, WR – Kansas City Chiefs
An undrafted rookie free agent this past spring, Pringle was placed on injured reserve prior to the regular season. He finished the preseason with six receptions for 147 yards, including a four-catch, 122-yard effort in the final preseason game against Green Bay. His game against the Packers also included a 47-yard kickoff return. Kansas City won the AFC West and is the No. 1 seed in the AFC, and the Chiefs host Indianapolis in the Divisional Round on Saturday at 3:35 p.m. (CT) on NBC.
Darren Sproles, RB/Returner – Philadelphia Eagles
Playing in his 11th career playoff game – but first since 2013 – Sproles rushed 13 times for 21 yards, caught two passes for 14 yards and returned a punt as Philadelphia escaped Chicago with a 16-15 victory. He played in a playoff win for the first time since 2008 when he was a member of the New Orleans Saints, which was a Wild Card victory over Philadelphia. Now Sproles and the Eagles travel to New Orleans to face the Saints in the Divisional Round on Sunday at 3:40 p.m. (CT) in a game shown on FOX.
Cody Whitehair, OL – Chicago Bears
Whitehair, a second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, started and played all 64 offensive snaps in his first-career playoff game, a 16-15 loss at the hands of Philadelphia. Whitehair has started all 48 career regular-season games, with 47 of those coming at center.
Deante Burton, CB – Houston Texans
Burton has made his third team this season stick as he has been a member of the Houston Texans since October 31. He played in his first-career playoff game in Houston's 21-7 loss to Indianapolis, seeing action on five special teams plays. The Manhattan, Kansas, native was signed by the Texans off Atlanta's practice squad, while he also played in the Falcons' season-opener – recording one tackle – and was with the Green Bay Packers a few weeks later.
Tyler Lockett, WR/Returner – Seattle Seahawks
A fourth-year pro, Lockett turned in the best postseason performance of his career by totaling 194 all-purpose yards, but it wasn't enough as Seattle fell at Dallas, 24-22. Lockett hauled in four passes for 120 yards – including a long of 53 yards – returned a kickoff for 52 yards and three punts for 22 yards. The Tulsa, Oklahoma, native finished the regular season by catching 57 receptions for 965 yards and 10 touchdowns, the best statistical season of his pro career. His 10 touchdowns tied for sixth in the NFL along with his 16.9-yard average per catch.
Byron Pringle, WR – Kansas City Chiefs
An undrafted rookie free agent this past spring, Pringle was placed on injured reserve prior to the regular season. He finished the preseason with six receptions for 147 yards, including a four-catch, 122-yard effort in the final preseason game against Green Bay. His game against the Packers also included a 47-yard kickoff return. Kansas City won the AFC West and is the No. 1 seed in the AFC, and the Chiefs host Indianapolis in the Divisional Round on Saturday at 3:35 p.m. (CT) on NBC.
Darren Sproles, RB/Returner – Philadelphia Eagles
Playing in his 11th career playoff game – but first since 2013 – Sproles rushed 13 times for 21 yards, caught two passes for 14 yards and returned a punt as Philadelphia escaped Chicago with a 16-15 victory. He played in a playoff win for the first time since 2008 when he was a member of the New Orleans Saints, which was a Wild Card victory over Philadelphia. Now Sproles and the Eagles travel to New Orleans to face the Saints in the Divisional Round on Sunday at 3:40 p.m. (CT) in a game shown on FOX.
Cody Whitehair, OL – Chicago Bears
Whitehair, a second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, started and played all 64 offensive snaps in his first-career playoff game, a 16-15 loss at the hands of Philadelphia. Whitehair has started all 48 career regular-season games, with 47 of those coming at center.
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