Chambana Sun

Several former University of Illinois Fighting Illini football players made appearances in NFL games during Week 5 of the 2025 season.

Isaiah Adams, offensive lineman for the Arizona Cardinals, started at left guard and played every offensive snap as well as three special team snaps in a close 22-21 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

Tony Adams, a defensive back for the New York Jets, started at safety and was on the field for all 60 defensive snaps. He made five tackles, three of them solo, during the Jets' 37-22 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Nick Allegretti of the Washington Commanders participated in five special team snaps during his team's 27-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Chase Brown, running back for the Cincinnati Bengals, started at halfback and contributed 27 rushing yards on eight carries and 21 receiving yards on seven catches over 33 offensive snaps. The Bengals lost 37-24 to the Detroit Lions.

Sydney Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles took part in 25 special team snaps and recorded one solo tackle during a 21-17 defeat against the Denver Broncos.

Pat Bryant, wide receiver for the Denver Broncos, started and played 40 offensive and five special team snaps. The Broncos won 21-17 against the Eagles. According to Parker Gabriel, "Rookie WR Pat Bryant becoming more and more of a factor in the rotation and played 40 snaps yesterday."

Tommy DeVito, quarterback for the New England Patriots, was not active for his team's 23-20 win over the Buffalo Bills.

Jake Hansen, linebacker for the Houston Texans, played 21 special team snaps and three offensive snaps, recording a solo tackle in a 44-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens.

Nate Hobbs, defensive back for the Green Bay Packers, did not play this week due to a scheduled bye.

Kerby Joseph, safety for the Detroit Lions, started and played all 62 defensive snaps while making four tackles in a 37-24 win over Cincinnati.

Ted Karras, center for Cincinnati, started and was on the field for every offensive snap plus four special team snaps during the Bengals' loss to Detroit.

Vederian Lowe of New England took part in five special team snaps and one offensive snap during the Patriots' win over Buffalo.

Quan Martin, safety for Washington Commanders, started and played all 67 defensive and 10 special team snaps. He recorded nine tackles. The Commanders' social media highlighted his performance: "Quan forces the fumble ????". According to Washington Commanders PR, "S Quan Martin has forced his fourth career fumble. The fumble was recovered by CB Marshon Lattimore. Lattimore has six career fumble recoveries and it is his first since 2021."

Chase McLaughlin, kicker for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was perfect on all three field-goal and extra-point attempts while playing 13 special team snaps in a 38-35 win over Seattle.

Jer'Zhan Newton of Washington Commanders participated in 26 defensive snaps and recorded two solo tackles during their win over Los Angeles.

Alex Palczewski of Denver Broncos was involved in ten offensive and three special team snaps during their victory over Philadelphia.

Del'Shawn Phillips of Los Angeles Chargers participated in 20 special team snaps and recorded a tackle during a loss to Washington.

Tip Reiman of Arizona Cardinals started at tight end and was involved in 25 offensive and 11 special team snaps during their narrow loss to Tennessee.

Dawuane Smoot of Jacksonville Jaguars contributed over 34 defensive and four special team snaps during a win over Kansas City.

Jihad Ward of Tennessee Titans played 36 defensive snaps, making a solo tackle and two quarterback hits during a win against Arizona.

Casey Washington of Atlanta Falcons did not play due to Green Bay's bye week.

Devon Witherspoon of Seattle Seahawks was not active during his team's loss to Tampa Bay.

Several former Illini players are currently on NFL practice squads: TeRah Edwards (Los Angeles Chargers), Kendrick Green (Buffalo Bills), Malik Turner (San Francisco 49ers), and Isaiah Williams (Cincinnati Bengals).