Gamecocks in the NFL: Week 2 recap

The National Football League closed week two action late Monday night in a clash between the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders. For former South Carolina athletes, it wrapped up Sunday as both Gamecocks in Monday’s closer were inactive.

The second weekend of NFL action saw career firsts, continued struggles and a lost roster spot among Gamecocks in the NFL.

Here is how every former South Carolina player performed in Week Two of the NFL season.

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AFC West

Kyle Kennard – EDGE/outside linebacker, Los Angeles Chargers

Kennard was inactive against Las Vegas on Monday Night Football.

Tonka Hemingway – Defensive tackle, Las Vegas Raiders

Hemingway was inactive in Monday night’s game against the Chargers.

Nate Adkins – Tight end, Denver Broncos

Adkins returned to limited practice on Thursday for the Broncos after an ankle injury. He was inactive in the Broncos’ loss. 

Nick Gargiulo – Guard, Denver Broncos

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

Adam Prentice – Fullback, Denver Broncos

Prentice put together key blocks on offense despite the Broncos’ loss to Indianapolis. The fullback did not gain any yards in Sunday’s game. 

Zacch Pickens – Defensive end, Kansas City Chiefs

Pickens remains on the Chiefs’ practice squad. 

AFC East

TJ Sanders – Defensive tackle, Buffalo Bills

Sanders recorded his first career tackle in a blowout win over the New York Jets. 

Cam Smith – Cornerback, Miami Dolphins

Smith remains on the Dolphins’ “Reserve/Non-football injury” list as of Sept. 15.

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

Gage Larvadain – Wide receiver, Cleveland Browns

Larvadain was released by the Browns on Sunday. 

Raheim “Rocket” Sanders – Running back, Cleveland Browns

Sanders was inactive in the Browns’ loss to the Ravens.  

Demetrius Knight II – Linebacker, Cincinnati Bengals

Knight played 58 percent of snaps on defense at linebacker on Sunday, second most of the group. He made five tackles in the win over Jacksonville. 

AFC South

Chris Lammons – Cornerback, Indianapolis Colts

Lammons remains on the Colts’ practice squad after not making the franchise’s 53-man roster.

NFC South

Jovaughn Gwyn – Center, Atlanta Falcons

Gwyn did not appear in Sunday’s game despite being activated. 

Joshua Simon – Tight end, Atlanta Falcons

Simon was active but did not play in the Falcons’ week two game. 

Jaycee Horn – Cornerback, Carolina Panthers

Horn made two tackles in the loss to Arizona in week two. 

Xavier Legette – Wide receiver, Carolina Panthers

Legette’s struggles continued in Week 2. His only reception went for a loss of two yards in the loss to Arizona. 

Dalevon Campbell – Wide receiver, Carolina Panthers

Campbell remained on the Panthers’ inactive list in week two. 

DJ Wonnum – Outside linebacker, Carolina Panthers

Wonnum graded in the bottom five according to PFF among Panthers defenders in week two. 

Rico Dowdle – Running back, Carolina Panthers

Dowdle played in less than 3% of snaps for the Panthers in week two. 

Bam Martin-Scott – Inside linebacker, Carolina Panthers

Israel Mukuamu – Defensive back, Carolina Panthers

Mukuamu remains with the Panthers’ practice squad after being cut by Dallas.

Spencer Rattler – Quarterback, New Orleans Saints

Rattler impressed despite the loss, throwing for 207 yards and three touchdowns. He is the highest-rated offensive player on the Saints so far this season, according to PFF. 

Torricelli Simpkins III – Guard/Center, New Orleans Saints

Simpkins was active but remains the backup center for the Saints in week two. 

Kai Kroeger – Punter, New Orleans Saints

Kroeger made four punts in the loss to San Francisco on Sunday, downing one inside the 20. 

NFC North

Keisean Nixon – Cornerback, Green Bay Packers

Nixon put together a strong night in Thursday’s win. The veteran corner made two tackles and deflected five passes. He grades out at 88.6 after two weeks in coverage, according to PFF. He also leads in pass breakups. 

Kingsley Enagbare – Defensive end, Green Bay Packers

Enagbare put two pressures on Commanders’ quarterback Jayden Daniels in the victory on Thursday. However, the defensive end faced some heat from his head coach after accidentally subbing early in the contest. 

Vershon Lee – Guard/Center, Minnesota Vikings

Lee remains on the Vikings’ practice squad.

NFC East

Deebo Samuel – Wide receiver, Washington Commanders

Samuel scored a late touchdown in Thursday’s loss to Green Bay. The veteran wideout made seven catches for 44 yards. 

Javon Kinlaw – Defensive tackle, Washington Commanders

Kinlaw continued to impress his new team in Washington in Week 2. The DT made a tackle and put solid pressure on the quarterback, despite the loss. 

Darius Rush – Defensive back, Washington Commanders

Rush still works as a member of the Commanders’ practice squad, seeking a return to Sundays. 

Dante Miller – Running back, New York Giants

Miller looks to complete the road to activation with New York for the second year in a row from the Giants’ practice squad.

Jalen Brooks – Wide receiver, Dallas Cowboys

Brooks still fights to get back on the Cowboys’ active roster from the practice squad. 

Jadaveon Clowney – Linebacker, Dallas Cowboys

Clowney signed with the Cowboys on Sunday following the team’s win against the Giants. He is expected to fill the hole left after trading Micah Parsons. 

NFC West

Nick Emmanwori – Safety, Seattle Seahawks

Emmanwori missed Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh with an ankle injury suffered in Week 1. Seattle’s Mike Macdonal said Emmanwori has a chance to return this week. 

Ernest Jones IV – Inside linebacker, Seattle Seahawks

Jones put together a strong 10-tackle day on Sunday despite managing a shoulder injury during practice last week. 

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