Wildcats in the NFL – Week 17
Jan 02, 2024 | Football
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Each week throughout the 2023 season, k-statesports.com recaps the action for the 17 former Kansas State football players currently in the NFL.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE – Kansas City Chiefs
Anudike-Uzomah, a first-round pick this year, was in for four defensive snaps in Kansas City's 25-17 home victory over Cincinnati. Playing in all 16 games this season, Anudike-Uzomah has 11 tackles, seven quarterback hits and one forced fumble. The Chiefs improved to 10-6 on the season and won the AFC West for an eighth-straight year as they are locked into the No. 3 seed in the AFC Playoffs. Kansas City finishes the regular season at the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
Ekow Boye-Doe, CB – Kansas City Chiefs
Boye-Doe, a rookie free agent this past offseason, saw action on 13 special teams play to help the Chiefs earn a 25-17 home win over Cincinnati. Spending time on the practice squad the first 11 games of the season, Boye-Doe has seen action on 63 special teams plays over the last five games. Kansas City, now 10-6 on the year, won the AFC West for an eighth-straight season and is locked into the No. 3 seed in the AFC Playoffs. The Chiefs finish the regular season at the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
JuJu Brents, CB – Indianapolis Colts
Brents, a second-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, had six tackles and three passes defended while playing on all 75 defensive snaps in Indianapolis' 23-20 home win over Las Vegas. Battling injuries throughout the year, Brents has started seven of his eight games played, and he has totaled 41 tackles, six passes defended, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. The Colts hold a 9-7 record and are currently the No. 7 seed in the AFC Playoffs. They host Houston on Saturday and will make the playoffs with a win, while they could still win the AFC South with a win and a Jacksonville loss.
Josh Hayes, DB – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Hayes, a sixth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, saw action on 24 special teams plays in Tampa Bay's 23-13 home loss to New Orleans. Hayes has played in 14 games this year, totaling 15 tackles. The loss dropped the Buccaneers to an 8-8 record and into a tie for first place in the NFC South with the Saints. Tampa Bay can win the division with a victory over Carolina on Sunday.
Timmy Horne, DL – New York Giants
A second-year veteran, Horne was signed by the New York Giants off Atlanta's practice squad on December 21, and he was inactive for New York's 26-25 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Horne has played in four games this year, including one with the Giants when he saw time on seven defensive snaps in a loss at Philadelphia. New York, which holds a 5-11 record this season, closes out the year against Philadelphia on Sunday.
Malik Knowles, WR – Minnesota Vikings
Knowles, a rookie free agent signee by Minnesota this past spring, is on injured reserve. Minnesota suffered its third-straight loss, a 33-10 home setback to Green Bay on Sunday night to fall to 7-9 this season. The Vikings still have slim playoff chances, which start with a game at Detroit on Sunday.
Tyler Lockett, WR – Seattle Seahawks
Making his 119th career start, Lockett caught one pass for 10 yards among his 40 offensive snaps in Seattle's 27-20 home loss to Pittsburgh. In 16 games this season – all starts – Lockett has 77 catches for 823 yards and four touchdowns. Now 8-8 this season, Seattle needs a win and some help to make the playoffs as the Seahawks are at Arizona on Sunday.
Cornelius Lucas, OL – Washington Commanders
Lucas, a ninth-year pro, started and was in for all 46 offensive snaps in Washington's 27-10 home loss to San Francisco. Lucas has made three starts this year and played in all 16 games for the 4-12 Commanders, who close out their season by hosting Dallas on Sunday.
Byron Pringle, WR – Washington Commanders
Pringle, a signee by Washington this offseason, was targeted once and made a tackle following an interception among his 10 offensive snaps – and he was also in for 13 special teams plays – during Washington's 27-10 home loss to San Francisco. In 16 games this year with one start, Pringle has 14 catches for 161 yards for the 4-12 Commanders, who host Dallas on Sunday.
D.J. Reed, DB – New York Jets
Making the 55th start of his career and 14th this season, Reed carded four tackles and a pass breakup as he was in for all 60 defensive snaps during New York's 37-20 loss at Cleveland. In 14 games this year – all starts – Reed has totaled 73 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, eight pass breakups and one fumble recovery. The Jets, who are 6-10 this season, close out the year at New England on Sunday.
Dalton Risner, OL – Minnesota Vikings
Risner, an in-season acquisition by Minnesota, started and was in for all 53 offensive snaps during Minnesota's 33-10 home loss to Green Bay. Risner has played in 14 games with 10 starts for the Vikings, who still have a slim playoff chance with a 7-9 record prior to playing at Detroit on Sunday.
Duke Shelley, DB – Los Angeles Rams
Shelley, a free agent signee after the preseason, was placed on injured reserve on November 27. In 11 games this year, Shelley made eight tackles, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery. The Rams have clinched a playoff berth as they currently hold the No. 6 seed in the NFC with a 9-7 record thanks to six wins in their last seven games. LA travels to face San Francisco on Sunday.
Skylar Thompson, QB – Miami Dolphins
Thompson served as the third quarterback for the 16th time this season during Miami's 56-19 loss at Baltimore. The Dolphins, 11-5 this season, host Buffalo on Sunday night with the chance to win the AFC East.
Deuce Vaughn, RB – Dallas Cowboys
Vaughn, a sixth-round selection in this year's draft, had two carries for two yards and caught one pass for 10 yards among his eight offensive snaps, helping the Cowboys pick up a 20-19 home win over Detroit on Saturday night. In seven games this season, Vaughn has rushed 23 times or 40 yards in addition to catching seven passes for 40 yards and returning four punts for 19 yards. Dallas holds an 11-5 record this season and can win the NFC East with a win on Sunday at Washington.
Cody Whitehair, OL – Chicago Bears
Whitehair was in for eight special teams plays during Chicago's 37-17 home win over Atlanta. In his eighth NFL season – all with the Bears – Whitehair has played in all 16 games with 11 starts. The Bears are 7-9 this season and close out the year at Green Bay on Sunday.
Russ Yeast, S – Los Angeles Rams
A seventh-round selection last year, Yeast came away with two tackles among his 13 defensive snaps in addition to seeing time on 11 special teams plays during the Rams' 26-25 win at the New York Giants. Yeast has seen time in all 16 games this year with nine starts, totaling 54 tackles and three passes defended. LA earned its sixth victory in the last seven games to improve to 9-7 this year and clinch a playoff berth. The Rams currently hold the No. 6 seed in the NFC prior to a game at San Francisco on Sunday.
Ty Zentner, P – Tennessee Titans
Zentner punted five times for a 49.6-yard average with a long of 64 yards and two punts downed inside the 20-yard line during Tennessee's 26-3 loss at Houston. It was Zentner's fourth game as a member of the Titans as he also played four games at the beginning of the year for the Texans. In his eight games overall this year, Zentner has punted 35 times for a 44.6-yard average with nine punts landing inside the opponent 20-yard line. Tennessee, which is 5-11 this season, closes out the year at home against Jacksonville on Sunday.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE – Kansas City Chiefs
Anudike-Uzomah, a first-round pick this year, was in for four defensive snaps in Kansas City's 25-17 home victory over Cincinnati. Playing in all 16 games this season, Anudike-Uzomah has 11 tackles, seven quarterback hits and one forced fumble. The Chiefs improved to 10-6 on the season and won the AFC West for an eighth-straight year as they are locked into the No. 3 seed in the AFC Playoffs. Kansas City finishes the regular season at the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
Ekow Boye-Doe, CB – Kansas City Chiefs
Boye-Doe, a rookie free agent this past offseason, saw action on 13 special teams play to help the Chiefs earn a 25-17 home win over Cincinnati. Spending time on the practice squad the first 11 games of the season, Boye-Doe has seen action on 63 special teams plays over the last five games. Kansas City, now 10-6 on the year, won the AFC West for an eighth-straight season and is locked into the No. 3 seed in the AFC Playoffs. The Chiefs finish the regular season at the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
JuJu Brents, CB – Indianapolis Colts
Brents, a second-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, had six tackles and three passes defended while playing on all 75 defensive snaps in Indianapolis' 23-20 home win over Las Vegas. Battling injuries throughout the year, Brents has started seven of his eight games played, and he has totaled 41 tackles, six passes defended, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. The Colts hold a 9-7 record and are currently the No. 7 seed in the AFC Playoffs. They host Houston on Saturday and will make the playoffs with a win, while they could still win the AFC South with a win and a Jacksonville loss.
Josh Hayes, DB – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Hayes, a sixth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, saw action on 24 special teams plays in Tampa Bay's 23-13 home loss to New Orleans. Hayes has played in 14 games this year, totaling 15 tackles. The loss dropped the Buccaneers to an 8-8 record and into a tie for first place in the NFC South with the Saints. Tampa Bay can win the division with a victory over Carolina on Sunday.
Timmy Horne, DL – New York Giants
A second-year veteran, Horne was signed by the New York Giants off Atlanta's practice squad on December 21, and he was inactive for New York's 26-25 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Horne has played in four games this year, including one with the Giants when he saw time on seven defensive snaps in a loss at Philadelphia. New York, which holds a 5-11 record this season, closes out the year against Philadelphia on Sunday.
Malik Knowles, WR – Minnesota Vikings
Knowles, a rookie free agent signee by Minnesota this past spring, is on injured reserve. Minnesota suffered its third-straight loss, a 33-10 home setback to Green Bay on Sunday night to fall to 7-9 this season. The Vikings still have slim playoff chances, which start with a game at Detroit on Sunday.
Tyler Lockett, WR – Seattle Seahawks
Making his 119th career start, Lockett caught one pass for 10 yards among his 40 offensive snaps in Seattle's 27-20 home loss to Pittsburgh. In 16 games this season – all starts – Lockett has 77 catches for 823 yards and four touchdowns. Now 8-8 this season, Seattle needs a win and some help to make the playoffs as the Seahawks are at Arizona on Sunday.
Cornelius Lucas, OL – Washington Commanders
Lucas, a ninth-year pro, started and was in for all 46 offensive snaps in Washington's 27-10 home loss to San Francisco. Lucas has made three starts this year and played in all 16 games for the 4-12 Commanders, who close out their season by hosting Dallas on Sunday.
Byron Pringle, WR – Washington Commanders
Pringle, a signee by Washington this offseason, was targeted once and made a tackle following an interception among his 10 offensive snaps – and he was also in for 13 special teams plays – during Washington's 27-10 home loss to San Francisco. In 16 games this year with one start, Pringle has 14 catches for 161 yards for the 4-12 Commanders, who host Dallas on Sunday.
D.J. Reed, DB – New York Jets
Making the 55th start of his career and 14th this season, Reed carded four tackles and a pass breakup as he was in for all 60 defensive snaps during New York's 37-20 loss at Cleveland. In 14 games this year – all starts – Reed has totaled 73 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, eight pass breakups and one fumble recovery. The Jets, who are 6-10 this season, close out the year at New England on Sunday.
Dalton Risner, OL – Minnesota Vikings
Risner, an in-season acquisition by Minnesota, started and was in for all 53 offensive snaps during Minnesota's 33-10 home loss to Green Bay. Risner has played in 14 games with 10 starts for the Vikings, who still have a slim playoff chance with a 7-9 record prior to playing at Detroit on Sunday.
Duke Shelley, DB – Los Angeles Rams
Shelley, a free agent signee after the preseason, was placed on injured reserve on November 27. In 11 games this year, Shelley made eight tackles, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery. The Rams have clinched a playoff berth as they currently hold the No. 6 seed in the NFC with a 9-7 record thanks to six wins in their last seven games. LA travels to face San Francisco on Sunday.
Skylar Thompson, QB – Miami Dolphins
Thompson served as the third quarterback for the 16th time this season during Miami's 56-19 loss at Baltimore. The Dolphins, 11-5 this season, host Buffalo on Sunday night with the chance to win the AFC East.
Deuce Vaughn, RB – Dallas Cowboys
Vaughn, a sixth-round selection in this year's draft, had two carries for two yards and caught one pass for 10 yards among his eight offensive snaps, helping the Cowboys pick up a 20-19 home win over Detroit on Saturday night. In seven games this season, Vaughn has rushed 23 times or 40 yards in addition to catching seven passes for 40 yards and returning four punts for 19 yards. Dallas holds an 11-5 record this season and can win the NFC East with a win on Sunday at Washington.
Cody Whitehair, OL – Chicago Bears
Whitehair was in for eight special teams plays during Chicago's 37-17 home win over Atlanta. In his eighth NFL season – all with the Bears – Whitehair has played in all 16 games with 11 starts. The Bears are 7-9 this season and close out the year at Green Bay on Sunday.
Russ Yeast, S – Los Angeles Rams
A seventh-round selection last year, Yeast came away with two tackles among his 13 defensive snaps in addition to seeing time on 11 special teams plays during the Rams' 26-25 win at the New York Giants. Yeast has seen time in all 16 games this year with nine starts, totaling 54 tackles and three passes defended. LA earned its sixth victory in the last seven games to improve to 9-7 this year and clinch a playoff berth. The Rams currently hold the No. 6 seed in the NFC prior to a game at San Francisco on Sunday.
Ty Zentner, P – Tennessee Titans
Zentner punted five times for a 49.6-yard average with a long of 64 yards and two punts downed inside the 20-yard line during Tennessee's 26-3 loss at Houston. It was Zentner's fourth game as a member of the Titans as he also played four games at the beginning of the year for the Texans. In his eight games overall this year, Zentner has punted 35 times for a 44.6-yard average with nine punts landing inside the opponent 20-yard line. Tennessee, which is 5-11 this season, closes out the year at home against Jacksonville on Sunday.
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