Ex-Illini Across the NFL: Rookie Jacas Highlights Week 2, Chase Brown Leads Ground Game
The short version
- 21 former Illinois players are on active NFL rosters in 2026
- Rookie Gabe Jacas intercepted Aaron Rodgers in New England's 20-3 win over Pittsburgh
- Chase Brown rushed for 80 yards on 20 carries in Cincinnati's 20-6 win at Houston
- Arizona (1-1) visits undefeated San Francisco (2-0) in Week 3
Twenty-one former Illinois players are on active NFL rosters, and several made their mark as Week 3 of the 2026 season gets underway.
Two weeks of the 2026 NFL season are complete and Week 3 has begun, with the Atlanta Falcons beating the Green Bay Packers 35-14 on Thursday night at Lambeau Field. Around the league, 21 former Illinois players hold spots on active rosters, and many of them saw the field during last Sunday's slate.
The most eye-catching performance belonged to New England rookie outside linebacker Gabe Jacas, who recorded the first interception of his NFL career. Jacas picked off Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers and returned it 11 yards during the Patriots' 20-3 home win over the Steelers. He added two defensive tackles, an assisted special teams tackle, a quarterback hit and 61 combined snaps in the victory.
Cincinnati running back Chase Brown started and carried 20 times for 80 yards in the Bengals' 20-6 road win over Houston. He caught three passes for two yards on five targets and played 42 of Cincinnati's 60 offensive snaps. Teammate Ted Karras, the Bengals' starting center, was on the field for all 60 offensive snaps plus four on special teams as Cincinnati generated 267 total yards.
Other Illinois alumni were fixtures along the offensive line. Isaiah Adams started at right guard and played all 50 offensive snaps, plus one on special teams, in Arizona's 31-7 home loss to Seattle. Washington center Nick Allegretti logged 76 combined snaps in a 37-20 loss to Dallas. San Francisco's Vederian Lowe played 13 snaps in the 49ers' 35-13 win over Miami.
Defensively, Houston linebacker Jake Hansen started and finished with four tackles on defense plus one on special teams across 62 combined snaps in the loss to Cincinnati. Carolina defensive tackle TeRah Edwards made three tackles in 43 snaps during the Panthers' 34-3 win at Atlanta. Falcons defensive back Sydney Brown made one tackle on 34 snaps in Thursday night's win at Green Bay after recording three tackles in Atlanta's Week 2 loss to Carolina. Tennessee safety Tony Adams played six special teams snaps in the Titans' 24-20 loss to Philadelphia, which the Eagles won with a late rally in Nashville.
A few former Illini did not see game action. New England tight end Tanner Arkin was inactive for the win over Pittsburgh, and Patriots quarterback Tommy DeVito did not play. Giants offensive lineman J.C. Davis was inactive for New York's 28-6 Monday night loss to the Rams in Inglewood, California. Denver wide receiver Pat Bryant appeared in the Broncos' 20-13 win over Jacksonville, logging 41 offensive snaps with one carry for 16 yards and no receptions on one target.
Week 3 brings several notable matchups involving Illinois alumni. Cincinnati (2-0) visits Pittsburgh (1-1), New England (1-1) travels to Jacksonville (1-1), winless Tennessee (0-2) faces the Giants (1-1), and Arizona (1-1) heads to San Francisco for an NFC West clash with the 49ers (2-0).
Fans can catch the Cardinals-49ers NFC West showdown on Sunday, September 27 at 4:05 PM EDT from Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, airing on FOX.
Games to watch
