Gamecocks in the NFL: Week 5 recap

Week 5 wrapped up Monday night for the National Football League. However, for former Gamecocks in the league, their action wrapped up Sunday.

The week brought breakout performances and unfortunate cuts for former South Carolina players across the league. Here’s a look at how every former Gamecock performed during this week’s NFL action.

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AFC West

Kyle Kennard – EDGE/outside linebacker, Los Angeles Chargers

Kennard was inactive in the Chargers’ game against the Commanders.

Tonka Hemingway – Defensive tackle, Las Vegas Raiders

Hemingway returned to the field Sunday, recording two pressures against the Colts.

Nate Adkins – Tight end, Denver Broncos. 

Adkins was only targeted once on Sunday. However, he played a key role in a forced penalty, drawing Jalen Carter offside.

Nick Gargiulo – Guard, Denver Broncos

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

Adam Prentice – Fullback, Denver Broncos

Prentice caught a pass for the second game in a row, this time going for eight yards.

Zacch Pickens – Defensive end, Kansas City Chiefs

Pickens remains on the Chiefs’ practice squad. 

AFC East

TJ Sanders – Defensive tackle, Buffalo Bills

Sanders was inactive in the Bills’ Week 5 contest.

Cam Smith – Cornerback, Miami Dolphins

After spending the start of the season on the reserve list, the Dolphins waived Smith on Sept. 30.

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 labeled inactive in the Browns’ Week 5 contest.

Demetrius Knight II – Linebacker, Cincinnati Bengals

Knight got another start for the Bengals on Sunday afternoon. He had eight tackles in the loss to the Lions.

AFC South

Chris Lammons – Cornerback, Indianapolis Colts

After placing Safety Daniel Scott on IR, the Colts elevated Lammons to the franchise’s 53-man roster.

NFC South

Jovaughn Gwyn – Center, Atlanta Falcons

Gwyn still has yet to see the field in 2025 for the Falcons. He played only one game in 2024.

Joshua Simon – Tight end, Atlanta Falcons

Simon currently sits on the Falcons’ practice squad.

Jaycee Horn – Cornerback, Carolina Panthers

Horn only gave up two catches against the Dolphins. He also totaled one tackle.

Xavier Legette – Wide receiver, Carolina Panthers

Legette returned to the field and caught his first touchdown pass of 2025 against the Dolphins. He also grabbed a season-high 31 yards in two catches.

Dalevon Campbell – Wide receiver, Carolina Panthers

Campbell appeared on the waiver wire after his hamstring injury pulled him out of the Panthers’ week four game. After passing unclaimed, Campbell returned to the Panthers’ injured reserve list.

DJ Wonnum – Outside linebacker, Carolina Panthers

Wonnum returned from his hip injury on Sunday and assisted on a tackle in the Panthers’ win over Miami.

Rico Dowdle – Running back, Carolina Panthers

After early-season struggles, Dowdle found a breakout game in a big way on Sunday, rushing for an NFL season-high of 206 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown. The total is a new career high by Dowdle and the second most in a single game for the Panthers.

Bam Martin-Scott – Inside linebacker, Carolina Panthers

Martin-Scott also picked up a single tackle against the Dolphins in Week 5.

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 picked up his first career win as a starting quarterback in the NFL on Sunday against the Giants. The second-year quarterback threw for 225 yards and a touchdown with a 66.7 completion percentage. With the win, Rattler became the first quarterback drafted by the Saints to win a game for the franchise since 1998.

Torricelli Simpkins III – Guard/Center, New Orleans Saints

Simpkins had another strong performance at right guard while filling in for Cesar Ruiz.

Kai Kroeger – Punter, New Orleans Saints

Kroger struggled with his two punts on Sunday, downing neither inside the 20.

NFC North

Keisean Nixon – Cornerback, Green Bay Packers

Nixon and the Packers spent Week 5 on a bye as the team gears up for the Bengals on Sunday.

Kingsley Enagbare – Defensive end, Green Bay Packers

Enagbare enjoyed a bye week during Week 5. The Packers return to action Sunday against the Bengals.

Vershon Lee – Guard/Center, Minnesota Vikings

Vershon Lee was elevated to the Vikings’ 53-man roster on Sept. 4 after Minnesota waived quarterback Desmond Ridder.

NFC East

Deebo Samuel – Wide receiver, Washington Commanders

Samuel has developed into the Commanders’ No. 1 option with Terry McLaurin sidelined. The veteran wideout made eight catches for a season-high 96 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers.

Javon Kinlaw – Defensive tackle, Washington Commanders

Kinlaw recorded four tackles in the Commanders’ win as he continues to shine with his new team.

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 was elevated to the active roster and started on Sunday. However, he exited the game early with a knee injury before recording a catch.

Jadaveon Clowney – Linebacker, Dallas Cowboys

Clowney recorded two tackles against the Jets on Sunday.

NFC West

Nick Emmanwori – Safety, Seattle Seahawks

Emmanwori returned to action after his Week 1 collarbone injury and immediately became the Seahawks’ highest graded defender according to PFF (81.4). The rookie recorded five tackles in his “second debut” with Seattle.

Ernest Jones IV – Inside linebacker, Seattle Seahawks

Jones struggled against Tampa despite recording seven tackles.

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