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Pack Pros: Former NC State LB Germaine Pratt impresses in Indianapolis Colts debut

image_6483441 (3)by: Noah Fleischman10/13/25fleischman_noah
Germaine Pratt
Oct 12, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) and linebacker Germaine Pratt (53) tackle Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during the third quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

After being suddenly released by the Las Vegas Raiders early last week, NC State Pack Pro linebacker Germaine Pratt had several options, but he elected to sign with the Indianapolis Colts this past Wednesday. 

Pratt, the Cincinnati Bengals’ third-round pick in 2019, was eager to reunite with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who is in his first season with the Colts. He spent his first five seasons with the longtime NFL assistant and was full speed ahead at getting back together with Anarumo. 

“He’s like a father figure to me, helping me with life and football,” Pratt told reporters after he arrived in Indianapolis.

And, well, that familiarity paid off when Pratt was inserted into the starting lineup against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday afternoon. The former First Team All-ACC linebacker posted a team-best 11 total tackles, including eight solos, to help propel the Colts to a 31-27 win over fellow Pack Pros Jacoby Brissett and Bam Knight — two brand-new starters for the Cardinals. 

Pratt’s ability to fit into Anarumo’s system seamlessly allowed him to log a season-most tackles after his first four games with the Raiders weren’t as easy. He logged a total of 25 stops over that stretch, including five in his final two games with Las Vegas. 

While Pratt was able to play well with the Colts, he wasn’t the only former NC State player in action. Here’s a look at how each of the Pack Pros fared in their respective NFL games this weekend.

Pack Pros: NFL Week 6

OT Anthony Belton (played at NC State from 2021-2024), #71 Green Bay Packers: Belton missed the Packers’ 27-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals with an ankle injury. 

C Garrett Bradbury (2014-18), #65 New England Patriots: Bradbury anchored the Patriots’ offensive line as the starting center in the team’s 25-19 win over the New Orleans Saints.

QB Jacoby Brissett (2014-15), #7 Arizona Cardinals: Brissett started in place of an injured Kyler Murray in the Cardinals’ 31-27 loss at the Indianapolis Colts. He was 27-of-44 passing for 320 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Brissett also added three carries for 19 yards, while he was sacked twice for a loss of eight.

OLB Bradley Chubb (2014-17), #2 Miami Dolphins: Chubb posted one total tackle, a solo stop, in the Dolphins’ 29-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. 

P A.J. Cole III (2015-18), #6 Las Vegas Raiders: Cole returned to action after leaving last week’s game with a low ankle sprain. He posted four punts for 167 yards, all of them landing inside the 20-yard line, with an average of 41.8 per attempt.

DL Cory Durden (2021-22), #94 New England Patriots: Durden logged one tackle in the Patriots’ 25-19 win over the New Orleans Saints. 

OT Ikem Ekwonu (2019-21), #79 Carolina Panthers: Ekwonu played at left tackle in the Panthers’ 30-27 upset win over the Dallas Cowboys.

DL B.J. Hill Jr. (2014-17), #92 Cincinnati Bengals: Hill posted one total tackle, a solo stop, in the Bengals’ 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

RB Nyheim Hines (2015-17), #31 Los Angeles Chargers: Hines returned to NFL regular season action after being activated by the Chargers ahead of Sunday’s game in Miami, his first such appearance in 1,008 days He posted three kick returns for a total of 97 yards, including the long of 40 yards to set up the game-winning field goal in a 29-27 victory over the Dolphins.

S Tanner Ingle (2018-22), #34 Los Angeles Rams: Ingle did not play in the Rams’ 17-3 win over the Baltimore Ravens. He’s on the team’s practice squad.

DT Justin Jones (2014-17), #93 Arizona Cardinals: Jones was placed on the Cardinals’ injured reserve with a knee injury in August. 

RB Zonovan Knight (2019-21), #35 Arizona Cardinals: Knight earned his first start of the season, rushing for 34 yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts in the Cardinals’ 31-27 loss at the Indianapolis Colts. He also added one catch for 20 yards in the one-score loss. 

OL Tim McKay (2019-2024), #68 Washington Commanders: McKay isn’t expected to play in the Commanders’ Monday Night Football game against the Chicago Bears. He’s on the team’s practice squad.

OL Dylan McMahon (2019-23), #63 Los Angeles Rams: McMahon, a practice squad player, did not play in the Rams’ 17-3 win over the Baltimore Ravens

DT Alim McNeill (2018-20), #54 Detroit Lions: McNeill began his fifth NFL season recovering from a torn ACL suffered in Week 15 of the 2024 season. The Lions expect the defensive lineman to make his return to the field in season.

WR Jakobi Meyers (2016-18), #16 Las Vegas Raiders: Meyers posted four receptions for 39 yards in the Raiders’ 20-10 win over the Tennessee Titans. He logged a long of 16, while he was targeted four times in the victory.

DT Larrell Murchison (2018-19), #52 Los Angeles Rams: Murchison logged one tackle, which was a sack, in the Rams’ 17-3 win over the Baltimore Ravens.

LB Germaine Pratt (2014-18), #53 Indianapolis Colts: Pratt posted a team-best 11 total tackles, including eight solo stops, in the Colts’ 31-27 win over the Cardinals with fellow Pack Pros Jacoby Brissett and Bam Knight.

DL Kentavius Street (2014-17), #93 Atlanta Falcons: Street is on the Falcons’ practice squad. Atlanta hosts the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football.

LB Drake Thomas (2019-22), #42 Seattle Seahawks: Thomas tied for the team lead with nine total tackles, including two solo stops and a sack, in the Seahawks’ 20-12 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He also added a pass defended and a quarterback hit to lead Seattle’s defense.

OL Joe Thuney (2011-15), #62 Chicago Bears: The Bears play at the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football.

LB Payton Wilson (2018-23), #41 Pittsburgh Steelers: Wilson logged seven total tackles, including four solo stops, in the Steelers’ 23-9 win over the Cleveland Browns. He also had a tackle for a loss in the victory.

QB Russell Wilson (2007-10, finished at Wisconsin), #3 New York Giants: Wilson, who was relegated to be the Giants’ backup in Week 4, was 0-for-1 passing in the team’s 34-17 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in relief of Jaxon Dart, who briefly exited the game in concussion protocol before returning to action. 

OL Chandler Zavala (2021-22), #62 Carolina Panthers: Zavala was placed on the Panthers’ injured reserve with a knee injury.