Gamecocks in the NFL: Thanksgiving weekend recap

Thanksgiving weekend in the NFL brought a full slate of games that saw some former Gamecocks take their first taste of the prized turducken that goes to Thanksgiving game winners. For some others, early returns on Pro Bowl voting have them in very good positioning to get a spot.

Here’s a look at how every former Gamecock did in Week 13.

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AFC West

Kyle Kennard – EDGE/outside linebacker, Los Angeles Chargers

Kennard was inactive for the Chargers’ game on Sunday afternoon.

Tonka Hemingway – Defensive tackle, Las Vegas Raiders

Hemingway was inactive in Week 13 for the Raiders.

Nate Adkins – Tight end, Denver Broncos

Adkins missed Sunday Night Football with a knee injury.

Nick Gargiulo – Guard, Denver Broncos

Gargiulo remains on the IR after tearing his ACL in the preseason.

Adam Prentice – Fullback, Denver Broncos

The Broncos were on a bye in Week 12.

Zacch Pickens – Defensive end, Kansas City Chiefs

Pickens remains on the Chiefs’ practice squad. 

AFC East

TJ Sanders – Defensive tackle, Buffalo Bills

Sanders picked up a tackle against the Steelers in one of his better games of his rookie season.

Alex Huntley – Defensive tackle, Miami Dolphins

Huntley remains on the Dolphins’ practice squad.

Marcellas Dial – Defensive back, New England Patriots

Dial is sidelined with a torn ACL and will not return in 2025.

AFC North

Raheim “Rocket” Sanders – Running back, Cleveland Browns

Sanders was inactive for the Browns in Week 12

Gage Larvadain – Wide receiver, Cleveland Browns

Larvadain played mainly at returner on Sunday but struggled with three fumbles, losing one. When asked, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski stood by the rookie in postgame press.

Demetrius Knight II – Linebacker, Cincinnati Bengals

Knight picked up five tackles in his Thanksgiving debut against the Ravens.

AFC South

Chris Lammons – Cornerback, Indianapolis Colts

Lammons recorded one tackle against Houston on Sunday.

NFC South

Jovaughn Gwyn – Center, Atlanta Falcons

Gwyn did not feature in the Falcons’ Sunday game.

Joshua Simon – Tight end, Atlanta Falcons

Simon remains on the Falcons’ practice squad.

Jaycee Horn – Cornerback, Carolina Panthers

Horn was inactive on Sunday after suffering a concussion against the 49ers.

Xavier Legette – Wide receiver, Carolina Panthers

Legette caught one reception for one yard in the win. It’s his fourth game this season with 10 or fewer receiving yards.

DJ Wonnum – Outside linebacker, Carolina Panthers

Wonnum assisted on a tackle in the victory over the Rams and recovered a fumble late in the game. He was one of the highest graded Panthers defenders according to Pro Football Focus.

Rico Dowdle – Running back, Carolina Panthers

Dowdle had 58 rushing yards on 18 carries against the Rams. He rushed for 25 yards less than fellow back Chuba Hubbard.

Bam Martin-Scott – Inside linebacker, Carolina Panthers

Martin-Scott failed to record a stat on Sunday.

Spencer Rattler – Quarterback, New Orleans Saints

Rattler remained at QB2 behind Tyler Shough in Week 12. His last game action came on October 26.

Torricelli Simpkins III – Guard/Center, New Orleans Saints

Simpkins III started for the Saints on Sunday.

Kai Kroeger – Punter, New Orleans Saints

Kroeger had six punts in the loss to Miami. He downed half of them inside the 20-yard line and another for a touchback.

NFC North

Keisean Nixon – Cornerback, Green Bay Packers

Nixon made seven tackles against Detroit on Thanksgiving. Early returns have him top ten in Pro Bowl voting for cornerbacks.

Kingsley Enagbare – Defensive end, Green Bay Packers

Enagbare added a tackle to his Thanksgiving plate and win over the Lions.

Vershon Lee – Guard/Center, Minnesota Vikings

Lee remains on the Vikings’ practice squad.

NFC East

Deebo Samuel – Wide receiver, Washington Commanders

Samuel made five receptions for 64 yards on Sunday, with a long of 38. He was also one yard shy of a touchdown, but fell just before the goal line.

Javon Kinlaw – Defensive tackle, Washington Commanders

Despite recording no stats, Kinlaw provided good pressure on the Broncos’ backfield in Week 13.

Darius Rush – Defensive back, Washington Commanders

Rush remains a member of the Commanders’ practice squad.

Dante Miller – Running back, New York Giants

Miller remains on the Giants’ practice squad

Jalen Brooks – Wide receiver, Dallas Cowboys

Brooks remains on the Cowboys’ practice squad.

Jadaveon Clowney – Linebacker, Dallas Cowboys

Clowney picked up six tackles and two sacks against the Chiefs on Thanksgiving. A nagging injury left him sidelined in Monday’s practice. However, the week heading into the Thursday matchup, he only practiced twice.

NFC West

Nick Emmanwori – Safety, Seattle Seahawks

Emmanwori picked up four tackles and a pass deflection in the shutout over Minnesota.

Ernest Jones IV – Inside linebacker, Seattle Seahawks

Jones’ return from injury resulted in an 85-yard pick-six against the Vikings. He added a season-high 12 tackles to the interception in the shutout win.

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