Each week the Illini in the NFL Update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous weekend. In all, 19 Illini made active 53-man rosters for the opening weekend. That does not count rookie Lions' RB Mikel Leshoure, who is on IR for the season with an Achilles injury, or the three former Illini that were named to practice squads (Nate Bussey, J Leman and Eddie McGee).
Jon Asamoah, OG, Kansas City Chiefs - Started at right guard, as the Chiefs rushed for 108 yards in a 41-7 loss to the Bills.
Alan Ball, CB, Dallas Cowboys - Second on the team with four solo tackles and a pass defended in a 27-24 loss to the Jets.
Arrelious Benn, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Notched four receptions for 27 yards in a 27-20 loss to the Lions.
Josh Brent, DT, Dallas Cowboys - Made one solo tackle in a 27-24 loss to the Jets.
Jeff Cumberland, TE, New York Jets - Had a career-long 33-yard catch in a 27-24 win over the Cowboys.
Vontae Davis, CB, Miami Dolphins - Tallied four tackles, including three solo stops, in a 38-24 loss to the Patriots.
David Diehl, OT, New York Giants - Started at right guard in a 28-14 loss to the Redskins.
Kelvin Hayden, CB, Atlanta Falcons - Did not play in a 30-12 loss to the Bears.
Michael Hoomanawanui, TE, St. Louis Rams - Was inactive due to a calf injury.
Corey Liuget, DL, San Diego Chargers - Made his NFL debut, registering two tackles - including one for a loss - in a 24-17 win over the Vikings.
Brandon Lloyd, WR, Denver Broncos - Led the Broncos' receiving corps with six catches for 89 yards in a 23-20 loss to the Raiders.
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers - Rushed for a team-high 45 yards in a 35-7 loss to the Ravens.
Brit Miller, FB, St. Louis Rams - Had one rush for 12 yards and downed a punt on special teams in a 31-13 loss to the Eagles.
Brandon Moore, OG, New York Jets - Played offensive line, protecting Mark Sanchez, who threw for 315 yards, in a 27-24 win over the Cowboys.
Tony Pashos, OG, Cleveland Browns - Was inactive due to a foot injury.
Neil Rackers, PK, Houston Texans - Nailed a pair of field goals from 29 and 25 yards along with four extra points in a 34-7 win over the Colts.
Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans Saints - Caught four passes for 37 yards and picked up 31 yards on the ground in the Saints' 42-34 loss to the Packers.
Steve Weatherford, P, New York Giants - Punted it six times with an average of 45.2 yards, including a long of 59 yards, in a 28-14 loss to the Redskins.
Martez Wilson, LB, New Orleans Saints - Made his debut in the Saints' 42-34 loss to the Packers, but did not record any statistics.
Former Illini on Injured Reserve/Practice Squad
Mikel Leshoure, RB, Detroit Lions - Injured Reserve
Nate Bussey, LB, New Orleans Saints - Practice Squad
J Leman, LB, Oakland Raiders - Practice Squad
Eddie McGee, WR, Oakland Raiders - Practice Squad
Alan Ball, CB, Dallas Cowboys - Second on the team with four solo tackles and a pass defended in a 27-24 loss to the Jets.
Arrelious Benn, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Notched four receptions for 27 yards in a 27-20 loss to the Lions.
Josh Brent, DT, Dallas Cowboys - Made one solo tackle in a 27-24 loss to the Jets.
Jeff Cumberland, TE, New York Jets - Had a career-long 33-yard catch in a 27-24 win over the Cowboys.
Vontae Davis, CB, Miami Dolphins - Tallied four tackles, including three solo stops, in a 38-24 loss to the Patriots.
David Diehl, OT, New York Giants - Started at right guard in a 28-14 loss to the Redskins.
Kelvin Hayden, CB, Atlanta Falcons - Did not play in a 30-12 loss to the Bears.
Michael Hoomanawanui, TE, St. Louis Rams - Was inactive due to a calf injury.
Corey Liuget, DL, San Diego Chargers - Made his NFL debut, registering two tackles - including one for a loss - in a 24-17 win over the Vikings.
Brandon Lloyd, WR, Denver Broncos - Led the Broncos' receiving corps with six catches for 89 yards in a 23-20 loss to the Raiders.
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers - Rushed for a team-high 45 yards in a 35-7 loss to the Ravens.
Brit Miller, FB, St. Louis Rams - Had one rush for 12 yards and downed a punt on special teams in a 31-13 loss to the Eagles.
Brandon Moore, OG, New York Jets - Played offensive line, protecting Mark Sanchez, who threw for 315 yards, in a 27-24 win over the Cowboys.
Tony Pashos, OG, Cleveland Browns - Was inactive due to a foot injury.
Neil Rackers, PK, Houston Texans - Nailed a pair of field goals from 29 and 25 yards along with four extra points in a 34-7 win over the Colts.
Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans Saints - Caught four passes for 37 yards and picked up 31 yards on the ground in the Saints' 42-34 loss to the Packers.
Steve Weatherford, P, New York Giants - Punted it six times with an average of 45.2 yards, including a long of 59 yards, in a 28-14 loss to the Redskins.
Martez Wilson, LB, New Orleans Saints - Made his debut in the Saints' 42-34 loss to the Packers, but did not record any statistics.
Former Illini on Injured Reserve/Practice Squad
Mikel Leshoure, RB, Detroit Lions - Injured Reserve
Nate Bussey, LB, New Orleans Saints - Practice Squad
J Leman, LB, Oakland Raiders - Practice Squad
Eddie McGee, WR, Oakland Raiders - Practice Squad
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