University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols in the NFL - Week 17
January 03, 2024 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – As the NFL season winds down and teams continue to fight for playoff spots, former Vols are doing their part in the action.
Houston Texans defensive end Derek Barnett played one of his best games of the season. Barnett made his third start of the season and collected 1.5 sacks, a season-high six combined tackles, a season-high four quarterback hits and one TFL. The Texans went on to beat the Tennessee Titans in a 26-3 victory.
New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor registered a big milestone this past weekend as he tallied his first career interception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Taylor also recorded four combined tackles and defended one pass during the Saints' 23-13 victory over the Buccaneers.
Alontae Taylor brings down a massive INT for the @Saints
— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023
📺: #NOvsTB on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/sFjqknZtA5 pic.twitter.com/CjD170PgZ5
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Byron Young was nothing short of explosive against the New York Giants. Young started his 14th consecutive game and tallied four combined tackles, three quarterback hits and two TFLs during the Rams' 26-25 win against the Giants to help the Rams clinch a spot in the playoffs.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. showcased domination on special teams. He took two kick returns for 54 yards during the Bears' 37-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
A full recap of Vols around the league can be found below.
Micah Abernathy - Falcons - S
Recorded a tackle and played 27 special teams snaps during the Falcons' loss to the Bears.
Derek Barnett - Texans - DE
Started his third game of the season and recorded a season-high 1.5 sacks, a season-high six combined tackles, one TFL and a season-high four quarterback hits during the Texans' 26-3 win over the Titans.
Matthew Butler - Raiders - DT
On practice squad.
Marquez Callaway - Saints - WR
Did not see action during the Saints' win against the Buccaneers.
Morgan Cox - Titans - LS
Executed six successful snaps during the Titans' loss to the Texans.
Joshua Dobbs - Vikings - QB
Was inactive for the Vikings.
Princeton Fant - Cowboys -TE
Did not see action against the Lions.
Hendon Hooker - Lions - QB
Elevated to the active roster on Dec. 19, did not see action against the Cowboys.
Jalin Hyatt - Giants - WR
Made his seventh start of the season and logged three catches for 25 receiving yards during the Giants' loss to the Rams.
Theo Jackson - Vikings - DB
Was inactive for the Vikings.
Jauan Jennings - 49ers - WR
Was inactive for the 49ers.
Alexander Johnson - Dolphins - LB
On practice squad.
Jakob Johnson - Raiders - FB
Played 15 offensive snaps and 15 special teams snaps during the Raiders' 20-23 loss to the Colts.
Velus Jones Jr. - Bears - WR
Collected two yards from one rushing attempt and 54 yards from two kick returns during the Bears' 37-17 win over the Falcons.
Alvin Kamara - Saints - RB
Started and picked up 45 rushing yards on 10 attempts and produced four yards from two receptions during the Saints' 23-13 win against the Buccaneers.
John Kelly Jr. - Browns - RB
On practice squad.
Cade Mays - Panthers - OL
Started his fifth game of the season and played 26 offensive snaps on the offensive line during the Panthers' loss to the Jaguars.
Emmanuel Moseley - Lions - CB
Placed on injured reserve on Oct. 14.
Joshua Palmer - Chargers - WR
Was inactive for the Chargers.
Cordarrelle Patterson - Falcons - RB
Played eight offensive snaps and eight special teams snaps during the Falcons' 37-17 loss against the Bears.
Kyle Phillips - Saints - DE
Saw action for the fourth time this season, played eight defensive snaps and one snap on special teams during the Saints' win over the Buccaneers.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin - Lions - LB
Logged 23 snaps on special teams and 12 defensive snaps, completed a pass on a fake punt for 31 yards and collected one combined tackle during the Lions' 19-20 loss to the Cowboys.
Trey Smith - Chiefs - OL
Started and played 54 offensive snaps for the Chiefs during their 25-17 win to the Bengals.
Cameron Sutton - Lions - CB
Started at cornerback and logged a season-high 10 combined tackles and one tackle for loss during the Lions' loss to the Cowboys.
Alontae Taylor - Saints - CB
Started at cornerback and recorded four combined tackles and tallied his first career interception during the Saints' 23-13 victory over the Buccaneers.
Darrell Taylor - Seahawks - DE
Started his fifth game of the season and tallied two combined tackles and one quarterback hit during the Seahawks' loss to the Steelers.
Cedric Tillman - Browns - WR
Started his third game and secured one catch for eight yards during the Browns' 37-20 win against the Jets.
Shy Tuttle - Panthers - DL
Started his 16th game in a row and collected one solo tackle during the Panthers' loss to the Jaguars.
Kendal Vickers - Cardinals - DE
On practice squad.
Darnell Wright - Bears - OL
Started and played 74 offensive snaps for the Bears during their 37-17 win over the Falcons.
Byron Young - Rams - DE
Started his 14th consecutive game and tallied four solo tackles, three quarterback hits and two TFLs during the Rams' 26-25 win against the Giants.
