Gamecocks in the NFL: Week 16 recap

Week 16 opened with a Thursday night thriller and closed with a Monday night blowout as former Gamecocks across the NFL appeared in big games. As the announcement of this season’s Pro Bowlers looms on December 23, players sought to make one final impression on fans, coaches, and their peers.

Here’s a look at how every former South Carolina Gamecock did in Week 16.

The Insiders Forum: Discuss South Carolina football!

AFC West

Kyle Kennard – EDGE/outside linebacker, Los Angeles Chargers

Kennard received his first game action since October 12 in the win over Dallas. However, he did not record a stat.

Dalevon Campbell – Wide receiver, Los Angeles Chargers

Campbell was active for the Chargers’ game against Dallas. However, he did not play.

Tonka Hemingway – Defensive tackle, Las Vegas Raiders

Hemingway had his first two-tackle game of the season against the Texans in a 23-21 loss.

Nate Adkins – Tight end, Denver Broncos

Adkins was targeted once, but had no receptions against Jacksonville on Sunday.

Nick Gargiulo – Guard, Denver Broncos

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

Adam Prentice – Fullback, Denver Broncos

Prentice did not record a stat on Sunday. However, he leads all AFC fullbacks in the final returns of Pro Bowl fan voting.

Zacch Pickens – Defensive end, Kansas City Chiefs

Pickens was elevated to the active roster following a season-ending injury to Patrick Mahomes. He recorded four tackles in a loss to Tennessee.

AFC East

TJ Sanders – Defensive tackle, Buffalo Bills

Sanders picked up three tackles against the Browns on Sunday. Sanders “took a step forward,” according to defensive coordinator Bobby Babich.

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.

Nick Muse – Tight end, New York Jets

Muse remains on the Jets’ practice squad.

AFC North

Raheim “Rocket” Sanders – Running back, Cleveland Browns

Sanders saw his most game action of the season, rushing for 42 yards on 11 carries against Buffalo. It is his first game action since September 7.

Gage Larvadain – Wide receiver, Cleveland Browns

Larvadain was not targeted against the Bills on Sunday. He only played five offensive snaps in the loss.

Demetrius Knight II – Linebacker, Cincinnati Bengals

Knight had four tackles in the win over the Dolphins in Week 16.

AFC South

Chris Lammons – Cornerback, Indianapolis Colts

Lammons remained on the IR with a foot injury on Monday night.

NFC South

Jovaughn Gwyn – Center, Atlanta Falcons

Gwyn did not feature in the Falcons’ Sunday game. His last game action came in Week 9.

Joshua Simon – Tight end, Atlanta Falcons

Simon remains on the Falcons’ practice squad.

Jaycee Horn – Cornerback, Carolina Panthers

Horn had three tackles in the Panthers’ win on Sunday. Horn finished second among cornerbacks in the final returns of Pro Bowl fan voting.

Xavier Legette – Wide receiver, Carolina Panthers

Legette had his second game in the last three with only one reception. He was targeted three times, and his one reception went 12 yards.

DJ Wonnum – Outside linebacker, Carolina Panthers

Wonnum added three tackles to the Panthers’ win over Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Rico Dowdle – Running back, Carolina Panthers

Dowdle rushed for 29 yards on nine carries against the Buccaneers in a win. The total took him over 1000 yards for the second straight season. Dowdle finished ninth in his position in the final Pro Bowl fan vote returns.

Bam Martin-Scott – Inside linebacker, Carolina Panthers

Martin-Scott failed to record a stat for the third straight game, this time coming on Sunday in a win over Tampa Bay.

Spencer Rattler – Quarterback, New Orleans Saints

Rattler remains Tyler Shough’s backup for the Saints after being benched following a loss to Tampa Bay in October.

Torricelli Simpkins III – Guard/Center, New Orleans Saints

Simpkins III started for the Saints on Sunday.

Kai Kroeger – Punter, New Orleans Saints

Kroeger only had to punt once in the 29-6 win over the Jets.

NFC North

Keisean Nixon – Cornerback, Green Bay Packers

Nixon assisted on one tackle and struggled in coverage against the Bears, allowing the game-winning touchdown. He was also involved in a controversy with wide receiver DJ Moore on a potential dirty hit after a play.

Kingsley Enagbare – Defensive end, Green Bay Packers

Enagbare had three tackles in the loss to Chicago on Saturday in overtime. He forced only one pressure on the Bears’ Caleb Williams.

Vershon Lee – Guard/Center, Minnesota Vikings

Lee remains on the Vikings’ practice squad.

NFC East

Deebo Samuel – Wide receiver, Washington Commanders

Samuel caught three passes against the Eagles, going for 35 yards with a long of 20.

Javon Kinlaw – Defensive tackle, Washington Commanders

Kinlaw made three tackles in the loss to the Eagles on Saturday. Kinlaw was involved in a fight during the game; however is not expected to be suspended for the Christmas Day matchup against Dallas.

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

Jadaveon Clowney – Linebacker, Dallas Cowboys

Clowney did not record a tackle against the Chargers on Sunday.

NFC West

Nick Emmanwori – Safety, Seattle Seahawks

Emmanwori picked up a career-high 11 tackles against the Rams on Thursday night.

Ernest Jones IV – Inside linebacker, Seattle Seahawks

Jones picked up his fourth straight game of double-digit tackles in Thursday night’s thrilling win over the Rams. His 12 tackles tied his season high from Week 13.

Jalen Brooks – Wide receiver, Arizona Cardinals

Brooks was signed off the Cowboys’ practice squad ahead of Week 14. The wideout totals three receptions for 51 yards with the Cardinals. Against the Falcons on Sunday, he was not targeted.

The Insiders Forum: Discuss South Carolina football!