BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Of the five former Hilltoppers on active NFL rosters, three saw game action in the opening week of the 2021 season. Here is how the former WKU players did this past weekend:
Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee made five receptions for 68 yards, showing great chemistry in his first game with quarterback Matthew Stafford as the Rams defeated the Chicago Bears at SoFi Stadium on Sunday Night Football by a score of 34-14. The five receptions were tied for eighth among NFL tight ends in Week 1, while the 68 yards were seventh. He ranked tied for third with 45 yards after catch, while his 37-yard catch-and-run in the third quarter was the second-longest reception by a tight end in the opening week. Of his five receptions, four went for first downs.
New York Jets offensive lineman George Fant played all 65 snaps and only allowed one hurry in the Jets' 19-14 loss to the Carolina Panthers. After starting at right tackle for the first 48 snaps, he moved to left tackle when starter Mekhi Becton left the game due to injury. Fant saw the final 17 snaps of the game at left tackle, and will be expected to start there as Becton will miss at least the next month with a dislocated knee cap.
Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle made three receptions for 21 yards, as the Colts fell to the Seattle Seahawks by a score of 28-16. He led all NFL tight ends with an 82.4 pass-blocking rating (on four pass-blocking snaps). His long catch on the day was nine yards, while two of his three grabs were good for first downs.
Other #ProTops
- Chicago Bears linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe missed the opening game with a shoulder injury.
- New York Jets quarterback Mike White earned the backup job to Zach Wilson coming out of preseason play. He did not see the field in Week 1.
- Devon Key (Kansas City Chiefs) and Deon Yelder (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) remain on practice squads.
- Forrest Lamp, Jordan Meredith, Dionté Ruffin and Taywan Taylor remain NFL free agents.
