In the fifth week of play for Tennessee Volunteers in the NFL, a rookie made his first splash-play as a pro and a seasoned vet with ties to the 2022 squad made a big play on the defensive side of the ball.
Rookie Velus Jones Jr. was a sparkplug for the Chicago Bears in just his second game in the league. He made his first career reception, linking up with quarterback Justin Fields, and took it nine yards into the end zone for a touchdown. The score came on the first drive of the second half at Minnesota and would jumpstart a second half comeback attempt that fell just short in the last 75 seconds of the game.
Back in his home state, VFL Emmanuel Moseley made his first career pick-six against Carolina, intercepting Panthers’ quarterback Baker Mayfield and returning it 41 yards to the house with just 41 seconds remaining in the first half.
Moseley, who was a quarterback at Dudley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina before coming to UT and was backed up by none other than current signal-caller Hendon Hooker, recorded his first career touchdown with the interception return. He also added another pass breakup and two tackles in the game, helping the 49ers to a 37-15 victory on the road.
Down in New Orleans, Alvin Kamara returned to from injury and was incredible in an offensive shootout with the Seattle Seahawks. The lead back for the Saints had 23 rushes for 103 yards, an average of 4.5 yards per carry, and caught six passes for 91 yards, including a 54-yard completion which was the longest catch of his career.
Also in The Big Easy, Bryce Thompson was signed by the Saints to their active roster, playing in his first game of the season.
In the first game of the weekend, Jonathan Kongbo, a first-year Broncos who spent two years in the Canadian Football League, made his NFL debut on Thursday Night Football.
A full recap of Vols in the NFL from Week 5 can be found below.
Micah Abernathy – S – Packers
Practice squad
Derek Barnett – DE – Eagles
Injured reserve
Matthew Butler – DT – Raiders
Had one tackle in the victory over Denver
Marquez Callaway – WR – Saints
Caught two passes for five yards in the victory over Seattle
Justin Coleman – DB – Seahawks
Did not play
Morgan Cox – LS – Titans
Successfully executed 11 snaps in the road victory at Washington, delivering eight punts and three field goals
Joshua Dobbs – QB – Browns
Did not play
Theo Jackson – DB – Titans
Practice squad
Ja’Wuan James – OL – Ravens
Injured reserve
Jauan Jennings – WR – 49ers
Caught two passes for 45 yards, including a 32-yard reception, in the win over Carolina
Jakob Johnson – FB – Raiders
Had one reception for five yards on Monday Night Football against Kansas City
Velus Jones Jr. – WR – Bears
Put himself on the map, recording his first NFL touchdown against Minnesota, linking up with Justin Fields for a nine-yard score on the Bears first drive of the second half
Alvin Kamara – RB – Saints
Came back from injury with an emphatic performance against Seattle, posting 194 yards of total offense, rushing for 103 yards on 23 tries and making six catches for 91 yards
John Kelly – RB – Browns
Practice squad
Jonathan Kongbo – DE – Broncos
Made his NFL debut, playing on Thursday Night Football against Indianapolis
Cade Mays – OL – Panthers
Did not play
Khalil McKenzie – OL – Ravens
Practice squad
Emmanuel Moseley – CB – 49ers
Scored his first career pick-six, intercepting Baker Mayfield and taking it 41 yards to the house in a 37-15 victory for the 49ers on the road. Added two tackles and another pass breakup in the game; injured in the game
Joshua Palmer – WR – Chargers
Caught three passes for 24 yards in a 30-28 victory at Cleveland
Cordarrelle Patterson – WR – Falcons
Injured reserve
Jalen Reeves-Maybin – LB – Texans
Logged three tackles in a defensive battle at Jacksonville where the Texans earned a 13-6 win
Trey Smith – OL – Chiefs
Did not play
Cameron Sutton – CB – Steelers
Made four solo tackles at Buffalo
Alontae Taylor – CB – Saints
Injured reserve
Darrell Taylor – DE – Seahawks
Had two tackles against New Orleans
Bryce Thompson – DB – Saints
Signed with New Orleans and promoted to their active roster, playing in his first game of the season and third of his career
Shy Tuttle – DL – Saints
Made one tackle in the game against the Seahawks
Kendal Vickers – DE – Raiders
Logged one tackle agaisnt Kansas City
-UT Athletics
