Vols in the NFL - Week 18
January 09, 2024 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Defense was the name of the game this week as former Vols shined across the league during the final week of the regular season.
Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton put forth an impressive performance for the second straight week, posting nine combined tackles with two passes defended, including his first interception of the season in a 30-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Sutton and the Lions earned the No. 3 seed in the NFC and will host the Los Angeles Rams in the wild card round on Sunday, Jan. 14 at 8:15 p.m.
Cam Sutton picks it off!#MINvsDET | 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/DwvNQthTwZ
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 7, 2024
New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor capped his impressive season with his second-career interception in a dominant 48-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Taylor's pick was his second in as many weeks.
The Saints finished the season with a 9-8 record but narrowly missed out on the playoffs after finishing second in the NFC South behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who also finished 9-8 but owned the tiebreaker over New Orleans.
TAE TAKES THOSE.
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 7, 2024
📺 @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/LjsyDbReyU
Los Angeles Rams rookie defensive end Byron Young continued his impressive rookie season with a sack, a TFL, a quarterback hit and a fumble recovery in a 21-20 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
The No. 6 seed Rams enter the playoffs as one of the league's hottest teams, having won four straight and seven of their last eight games heading into their wild card round matchup at Detroit next Sunday night.
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Darrell Taylor capped his third NFL season with a solid showing against the Arizona Cardinals. Taylor tallied four combined tackles, one sack, one TFL and one quarterback hit during the Seahawks' 21-20 victory.
A full recap of Vols around the league can be found below.
Micah Abernathy - Falcons - S
Played 29 special teams snaps and five defensive snaps while recording one tackle during the Falcons' loss to the Saints.
Derek Barnett - Texans - DE
Started his fourth game of the season and recorded four combined tackles, one TFL and one quarterback hit during the Texans' win over the Colts.
Matthew Butler - Raiders - DT
Played nine defensive snaps and five on special teams, finishing with one tackle in the Raiders' 27-14 win over Denver.
Marquez Callaway - Saints - WR
On practice squad.
Jerome Carvin - Bears - OL
On practice squad.
Morgan Cox - Titans - LS
Executed seven successful snaps during the Titans' season-ending victory over Jacksonville.
Joshua Dobbs - Vikings - QB
Did not see action for the Vikings in their loss to the Lions.
Princeton Fant - Cowboys -TE
On practice squad.
Hendon Hooker - Lions - QB
Was not active in the Lions' win over the Vikings.
Jalin Hyatt - Giants - WR
Caught one pass for five yards during the Giants' 27-10 win over the Eagles.
Theo Jackson - Vikings - DB
Was inactive for the Vikings in their loss to Detroit.
Jauan Jennings - 49ers - WR
Was inactive for the 49ers in their loss to the Rams.
Alexander Johnson - Dolphins - LB
On practice squad.
Jakob Johnson - Raiders - FB
Played 14 offensive snaps and 12 special teams snaps while collecting one tackle during the Raiders' 27-14 win over the Broncos.
Velus Jones Jr. - Bears - WR
Logged a season-high four kick returns for 113 yards during the Bears' loss to the Packers.
Alvin Kamara - Saints - RB
Was inactive for the Saints during their 48-17 win against the Falcons.
John Kelly Jr. - Browns - RB
On practice squad.
Cade Mays - Panthers - OL
Was inactive for the Panthers in their loss to the Buccaneers.
Emmanuel Moseley - Lions - CB
Placed on injured reserve on Oct. 14.
Joshua Palmer - Chargers - WR
Caught a season-high six passes for 44 yards and logged one rushing attempt for six yards during the Chargers 13-12 loss to the Chiefs.
Cordarrelle Patterson - Falcons - RB
Recorded five rushing attempts for 20 rushing yards during the Falcons' loss to the Saints.
Kyle Phillips - Saints - DE
Was inactive for the Saints in their win over the Falcons.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin - Lions - LB
Logged 23 snaps on special teams and 17 defensive snaps in Lions' 30-20 win over the Vikings, tallying two combined tackles. Was named to the 2023 Pro Bowl as a special teams selection.
Trey Smith - Chiefs - OL
Started and played 25 offensive snaps for the Chiefs during their 13-12 win over the Chargers.
Cameron Sutton - Lions - CB
Started at cornerback and logged nine combined tackles, defended two passes and had an interception to help the Lions to a 30-20 win over the Vikings.
Alontae Taylor - Saints - CB
Made his 13th start at cornerback. Recorded one solo tackle, one pass defended and collected his second interception of the season in the Saints' 48-17 victory against the Falcons.
Darrell Taylor - Seahawks - DE
Tallied one sack, four combined tackles, one TFL and one quarterback hit during the Seahawks' 21-20 win against the Cardinals.
Cedric Tillman - Browns - WR
Made three catches for 43 yards in the Browns' loss to the Bengals.
Shy Tuttle - Panthers - DL
Started his 17th game in a row and collected three combined tackles during the Panthers' loss to the Buccaneers.
Kendal Vickers - Cardinals - DE
On practice squad.
Darnell Wright - Bears - OL
Started at right tackle and played 47 offensive snaps for the Bears during their loss to the Packers.
Byron Young - Rams - DE
Started his 15th consecutive game and tallied a sack, a TFL, a quarterback hit and recovered a fumble during the Rams' win over the 49ers
