Gamecocks in the NFL: Week 8 recap

Week 8 of action in the National Football League wrapped up on Monday night as injuries piled up for former Gamecocks, and some others picked up season-best performances.

Here’s a look at how every former South Carolina Gamecock performed in Week 8:

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AFC West

Kyle Kennard – EDGE/outside linebacker, Los Angeles Chargers

Kennard was labeled inactive for the Chargers in Week 8.

Tonka Hemingway – Defensive tackle, Las Vegas Raiders

Hemingway did not feature for the Raiders in Week 8.

Nate Adkins – Tight end, Denver Broncos

Adkins left Sunday’s game against the Cowboys with a non-contact injury. The injury is reportedly to the tight end’s knee.

Nick Gargiulo – Guard, Denver Broncos

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

Adam Prentice – Fullback, Denver Broncos

Prentice played a blocking-heavy role for the Broncos on Sunday. He did not record a rushing or receiving stat.

Zacch Pickens – Defensive end, Kansas City Chiefs

Pickens remains on the Chiefs’ practice squad. 

AFC East

TJ Sanders – Defensive tackle, Buffalo Bills

Sanders remains on the Bills’ IR in Week 7.

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 a Week 8 inactive for the Browns.

Demetrius Knight II – Linebacker, Cincinnati Bengals

Knight picked up a season-high 12 tackles against the Jets on Sunday despite the loss.

AFC South

Chris Lammons – Cornerback, Indianapolis Colts

Lammons graded as the Colts’ best defender according to Pro Football Focus on Sunday. The veteran defensive back grabbed his first interception of the season off Titans quarterback Cam Ward.

NFC South

Jovaughn Gwyn – Center, Atlanta Falcons

Gwyn has yet to feature for the Falcons in 2025.

Joshua Simon – Tight end, Atlanta FalconsG

Simon remains on the Falcons’ practice squad.

Jaycee Horn – Cornerback, Carolina Panthers

Horn made a season-high three tackles in the loss to Buffalo on Sunday. The defensive back struggled in coverage against the Bills’ receivers.

Xavier Legette – Wide receiver, Carolina Panthers

Legette returned to his struggles in Week 8, catching only two passes for 17 yards.

DJ Wonnum – Outside linebacker, Carolina Panthers

Wonnum tied his season-high with three tackles in the loss to the Bills on Sunday. He still seeks his first sack of 2025.

Rico Dowdle – Running back, Carolina Panthers

Dowdle picked up 54 yards on his eight carries in Sunday’s loss. The former Dallas Cowboy is expected to receive a higher share of the carries between him and Chuba Hubbard going forward.

Bam Martin-Scott – Inside linebacker, Carolina Panthers

Martin-Scott assisted on a tackle in the loss to Buffalo on Sunday.

Spencer Rattler – Quarterback, New Orleans Saints

Rattler’s Week 7 struggles carried over to Sunday’s loss to the Buccaneers. The second-year quarterback threw for only 136 yards, completing a season-low 15 passes on 21 attempts.

Torricelli Simpkins III – Guard/Center, New Orleans Saints

Simpkins was activated for the Saints but did not feature in Sunday’s game.

Kai Kroeger – Punter, New Orleans Saints

Kroeger downed his first punt inside the 20 since his Sept. 28 performance, downing two punts inside the 20 against Tampa Bay in the loss.

NFC North

Keisean Nixon – Cornerback, Green Bay Packers

Nixon picked up five tackles but struggled in coverage against Pittsburgh on Sunday night. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said on Sunday that the Packers’ CB room will remain a competition.

Kingsley Enagbare – Defensive end, Green Bay Packers

Enagbare picked up three tackles in the win over the Steelers on Sunday night.

Vershon Lee – Guard/Center, Minnesota Vikings

Lee remains on the Vikings’ practice squad.

NFC East

Deebo Samuel – Wide receiver, Washington Commanders

Samuel’s return to action following his heel injury saw the veteran wideout only catch three passes for 11 yards.

Javon Kinlaw – Defensive tackle, Washington Commanders

Kinlaw picked up three tackles in the blowout loss to Kansas City on Monday night. He left the game early with a shoulder injury, but could have returned if needed.

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

After a season-high against Washington, Clowney logged two tackles in the loss to Denver on Sunday.

NFC West

Nick Emmanwori – Safety, Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks were on a bye in Week 8. Emmanwori has shined at the Nickel spot so far in 2025.

Ernest Jones IV – Inside linebacker, Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks were on a bye in Week 8. Jones is on pace to match his production from 2023 with the Los Angeles Rams for Seattle in 2025.

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