Wildcats in the NFL – Week 17
Jan 04, 2022 | Football
HOUSTON, Texas – Each week throughout the 2021 season, k-statesports.com recaps the action for the 16 former Kansas State football players currently in the NFL. For stats on each play, click on their bio link.
Deante Burton, DB – Dallas Cowboys
Burton, who is in the midst of his fourth NFL season and third in Dallas, is on the Cowboys' practice squad. Dallas fell at home to Arizona, 25-22, to drop to 11-5 this season. The Cowboys, who have already clinched the NFC East title, currently hold the No. 4 seed in the NFC Playoffs heading into Week 18 when they travel to face Philadelphia on Saturday night.
B.J. Finney, OL – Pittsburgh Steelers
Finney was placed on injured reserve on December 15 due to a back injury. Pittsburgh earned a 26-14 Monday-night home win over Cleveland to improve to 8-7-1 on the season. The Steelers, who travel to face Baltimore on Sunday, need to defeat the Ravens, Indianapolis to lose to Jacksonville and for the Raiders/Chargers game to not end in a tie to make the playoffs.
Wyatt Hubert, DE – Cincinnati Bengals
A seventh-round draft pick by Cincinnati in this year's draft, Hubert was injured during the offseason and is on reserve. The Bengals earned their third-straight victory and fifth win in the last seven games in a 34-31 triumph over Kansas City to improve to 10-6. Winners of the AFC North, Cincinnati is currently the No. 3 seed in the AFC Playoffs but does have a path to get the No. 1 seed, which all begins with a win at Cleveland on Sunday.
Elijah Lee, LB – Cleveland Browns
Lee did not play in the Browns' 26-14 Monday-night loss at Pittsburgh as he was on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Cleveland fell to 7-9 on the year and closes out the season against Cincinnati on Sunday.
Tyler Lockett, WR – Seattle Seahawks
Making his 86th-career start, Lockett made three catches for 24 yards and a touchdown, while he rushed once for seven yards in Seattle's 51-29 home win over Detroit. During the game, Lockett moved into fifth place all-time in Seattle history with 444 career catches. He enters the final week of the regular season ranking seventh in the NFL with a 15.8-yard average per catch, while his 1,077 receiving yards rank 14th. The Seahawks are now 6-10 this season, and they close out the year at Arizona on Sunday.
Cornelius Lucas, OL – Washington Football Team
Making his seventh start of the season, Lucas was in for all 63 offensive snaps in Washington's 20-16 home loss to Philadelphia. Lucas has seen time on 590 offensive snaps this year. The Football Team dropped to 6-10 on the year, and they close out their season at the New York Giants on Sunday.
Briley Moore, TE – Tennessee Titans
Moore, a rookie free agent signee by the Titans this past offseason, was hurt during training camp and placed on injured reserve. The Titans earned a 34-3 home win over Miami to improve to 11-5 on the year, win the AFC South and take over the No. 1 spot in the AFC Playoffs. Tennessee can clinch the No. 1 seed, the AFC's only playoff bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win at Houston on Sunday.
AJ Parker, DB – Detroit Lions
Parker, a rookie free agent signee, made his sixth start of the season and totaled four tackles among his 50 defensive snaps in Detroit's 51-29 loss at Seattle. The Lions fell to 2-13-1 on the year, and they close out their season against Green Bay on Sunday.
Byron Pringle, WR – Kansas City Chiefs
Pringle made three catches for 35 yards and returned four kickoffs for 96 yards in Kansas City's 34-31 loss at Cincinnati. Pringle did return a kickoff for a touchdown toward the end of the first half, but it was called back due to a holding penalty. He enters the final week of the regular season with a 24.8-yard kickoff return average to rank fourth in the NFL. The loss snapped an eight-game winning streak by the Chiefs as they fell to 11-5 on the year and currently reside in the No. 2 spot in the AFC Playoffs. Kansas City, which won the AFC West, will stay in the No. 2 spot with a win at Denver on Saturday, while they can take over the No. 1 spot with a win and a Tennessee loss to Houston on Sunday.
D.J. Reed Jr., DB – Seattle Seahawks
Reed came back from the reserve/COVID-19 list to tally eight tackles, two interceptions and three total passes defended to help Seattle earn a 51-29 home win over Detroit. Entering the game against the Lions, Reed had just two career interceptions, both of which came last season. Reed started his 23rd career game, which includes 14 this season, as the Seahawks improved to 6-10 on the year, and they close out their season at Arizona on Sunday.
Dalton Risner, OL – Denver Broncos
Risner carded his 47th-career start but was injured and out for the rest of the game on the fourth play from scrimmage in Denver's 34-13 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers. Risner, who will be out in Week 18, has seen time on 2,815 of the Broncos' 3,124 offensive snaps (90.1%) since he began his career in 2019. The Broncos fell to 7-9 on the year and will close out their season by hosting Kansas City on Saturday.
Duke Shelley, DB – Chicago Bears
Shelley was inactive for Chicago's 29-3 home victory over the New York Giants. The Bears won for a second-straight week to improve to 6-10 on the season, and they close out their 2021 campaign by traveling to face Minnesota on Sunday.
Elijah Sullivan, LB – Kansas City Chiefs
Sullivan, a rookie free agent who was with San Francisco the entire preseason, was signed to the Chiefs' practice squad on September 11. Kansas City lost at Cincinnati, 34-31, on a last-second field goal as the Chiefs saw their eight-game winning streak come to an end. Now 11-5 on the year, the AFC West Champions currently reside in the No. 2 spot in the AFC Playoffs and will stay there with a win at Denver on Saturday. Kansas City could also take over the No. 1 spot in the AFC with a win over the Broncos and a Tennessee loss at Houston.
Kiondre Thomas, DB – Los Angeles Chargers
Thomas, a rookie free agent who spent the entire preseason with Cleveland, was signed to the Los Angeles Chargers' practice squad on September 6. The Chargers earned a 34-13 home win over Denver to improve to 9-7 on the year. Currently holding the final spot for the AFC Playoffs, LA needs a win or a tie against Las Vegas on Sunday night to play in the postseason.
Cody Whitehair, OL – Chicago Bears
Whitehair registered his 94th-career start and was in for all 66 offensive snaps in Chicago's 29-3 home win over the New York Giants, the Bears' second-straight victory. Whitehair has been in for all 1,040 offensive snaps this season. Chicago improved to 6-10 on the year, and the Bears close out their season by traveling to face Minnesota on Sunday.
Jordan Willis, DE – San Francisco 49ers
Willis carded a sack, forced fumble and a quarterback hurry to help San Francisco earn a 23-7 home win over Houston. The 49ers improved to 9-7 on the year and currently hold the No. 6 spot in the NFC Playoffs. They can enter the postseason with a win or tie against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, or a loss or tie by New Orleans at Atlanta.
Deante Burton, DB – Dallas Cowboys
Burton, who is in the midst of his fourth NFL season and third in Dallas, is on the Cowboys' practice squad. Dallas fell at home to Arizona, 25-22, to drop to 11-5 this season. The Cowboys, who have already clinched the NFC East title, currently hold the No. 4 seed in the NFC Playoffs heading into Week 18 when they travel to face Philadelphia on Saturday night.
B.J. Finney, OL – Pittsburgh Steelers
Finney was placed on injured reserve on December 15 due to a back injury. Pittsburgh earned a 26-14 Monday-night home win over Cleveland to improve to 8-7-1 on the season. The Steelers, who travel to face Baltimore on Sunday, need to defeat the Ravens, Indianapolis to lose to Jacksonville and for the Raiders/Chargers game to not end in a tie to make the playoffs.
Wyatt Hubert, DE – Cincinnati Bengals
A seventh-round draft pick by Cincinnati in this year's draft, Hubert was injured during the offseason and is on reserve. The Bengals earned their third-straight victory and fifth win in the last seven games in a 34-31 triumph over Kansas City to improve to 10-6. Winners of the AFC North, Cincinnati is currently the No. 3 seed in the AFC Playoffs but does have a path to get the No. 1 seed, which all begins with a win at Cleveland on Sunday.
Elijah Lee, LB – Cleveland Browns
Lee did not play in the Browns' 26-14 Monday-night loss at Pittsburgh as he was on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Cleveland fell to 7-9 on the year and closes out the season against Cincinnati on Sunday.
Tyler Lockett, WR – Seattle Seahawks
Making his 86th-career start, Lockett made three catches for 24 yards and a touchdown, while he rushed once for seven yards in Seattle's 51-29 home win over Detroit. During the game, Lockett moved into fifth place all-time in Seattle history with 444 career catches. He enters the final week of the regular season ranking seventh in the NFL with a 15.8-yard average per catch, while his 1,077 receiving yards rank 14th. The Seahawks are now 6-10 this season, and they close out the year at Arizona on Sunday.
.@Seahawks WR @TDLockett12 moved in to fifth-place on Seattle's all-time receptions list this afternoon. #GoHawks
— Seahawks PR (@seahawksPR) January 2, 2022
Not the year we wanted but 2022 is already looking up. 📈 pic.twitter.com/KJ3rbB1NPL
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) January 3, 2022
Cornelius Lucas, OL – Washington Football Team
Making his seventh start of the season, Lucas was in for all 63 offensive snaps in Washington's 20-16 home loss to Philadelphia. Lucas has seen time on 590 offensive snaps this year. The Football Team dropped to 6-10 on the year, and they close out their season at the New York Giants on Sunday.
Briley Moore, TE – Tennessee Titans
Moore, a rookie free agent signee by the Titans this past offseason, was hurt during training camp and placed on injured reserve. The Titans earned a 34-3 home win over Miami to improve to 11-5 on the year, win the AFC South and take over the No. 1 spot in the AFC Playoffs. Tennessee can clinch the No. 1 seed, the AFC's only playoff bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win at Houston on Sunday.
AJ Parker, DB – Detroit Lions
Parker, a rookie free agent signee, made his sixth start of the season and totaled four tackles among his 50 defensive snaps in Detroit's 51-29 loss at Seattle. The Lions fell to 2-13-1 on the year, and they close out their season against Green Bay on Sunday.
Byron Pringle, WR – Kansas City Chiefs
Pringle made three catches for 35 yards and returned four kickoffs for 96 yards in Kansas City's 34-31 loss at Cincinnati. Pringle did return a kickoff for a touchdown toward the end of the first half, but it was called back due to a holding penalty. He enters the final week of the regular season with a 24.8-yard kickoff return average to rank fourth in the NFL. The loss snapped an eight-game winning streak by the Chiefs as they fell to 11-5 on the year and currently reside in the No. 2 spot in the AFC Playoffs. Kansas City, which won the AFC West, will stay in the No. 2 spot with a win at Denver on Saturday, while they can take over the No. 1 spot with a win and a Tennessee loss to Houston on Sunday.
D.J. Reed Jr., DB – Seattle Seahawks
Reed came back from the reserve/COVID-19 list to tally eight tackles, two interceptions and three total passes defended to help Seattle earn a 51-29 home win over Detroit. Entering the game against the Lions, Reed had just two career interceptions, both of which came last season. Reed started his 23rd career game, which includes 14 this season, as the Seahawks improved to 6-10 on the year, and they close out their season at Arizona on Sunday.
Keep putting the ball in the air and we'll keep getting it. @D7_Reed with his second INT of the day.
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) January 3, 2022
📺 #DETvsSEA on FOX pic.twitter.com/SQqg9Rt458
Playing for each other. pic.twitter.com/0Y5HuRG083
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) January 3, 2022
2️⃣ picks for No. 2️⃣ pic.twitter.com/g9LGYvEdD6
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) January 3, 2022
Dalton Risner, OL – Denver Broncos
Risner carded his 47th-career start but was injured and out for the rest of the game on the fourth play from scrimmage in Denver's 34-13 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers. Risner, who will be out in Week 18, has seen time on 2,815 of the Broncos' 3,124 offensive snaps (90.1%) since he began his career in 2019. The Broncos fell to 7-9 on the year and will close out their season by hosting Kansas City on Saturday.
Duke Shelley, DB – Chicago Bears
Shelley was inactive for Chicago's 29-3 home victory over the New York Giants. The Bears won for a second-straight week to improve to 6-10 on the season, and they close out their 2021 campaign by traveling to face Minnesota on Sunday.
Elijah Sullivan, LB – Kansas City Chiefs
Sullivan, a rookie free agent who was with San Francisco the entire preseason, was signed to the Chiefs' practice squad on September 11. Kansas City lost at Cincinnati, 34-31, on a last-second field goal as the Chiefs saw their eight-game winning streak come to an end. Now 11-5 on the year, the AFC West Champions currently reside in the No. 2 spot in the AFC Playoffs and will stay there with a win at Denver on Saturday. Kansas City could also take over the No. 1 spot in the AFC with a win over the Broncos and a Tennessee loss at Houston.
Kiondre Thomas, DB – Los Angeles Chargers
Thomas, a rookie free agent who spent the entire preseason with Cleveland, was signed to the Los Angeles Chargers' practice squad on September 6. The Chargers earned a 34-13 home win over Denver to improve to 9-7 on the year. Currently holding the final spot for the AFC Playoffs, LA needs a win or a tie against Las Vegas on Sunday night to play in the postseason.
Cody Whitehair, OL – Chicago Bears
Whitehair registered his 94th-career start and was in for all 66 offensive snaps in Chicago's 29-3 home win over the New York Giants, the Bears' second-straight victory. Whitehair has been in for all 1,040 offensive snaps this season. Chicago improved to 6-10 on the year, and the Bears close out their season by traveling to face Minnesota on Sunday.
Jordan Willis, DE – San Francisco 49ers
Willis carded a sack, forced fumble and a quarterback hurry to help San Francisco earn a 23-7 home win over Houston. The 49ers improved to 9-7 on the year and currently hold the No. 6 spot in the NFC Playoffs. They can enter the postseason with a win or tie against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, or a loss or tie by New Orleans at Atlanta.
Jordan Willis with the third down sack 😤#HOUvsSF on CBS/49ers App pic.twitter.com/f2XgCPGZzQ
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 2, 2022
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