Each week the Illini in the NFL Update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous weekend. Pierre Thomas caught the game-winning TD pass, his first of the season, for the Saints, Brandon Lloyd made a highlight reel catch and a handful Illini were off with the first bye week of the season. Read up on how the rest of the past Illini played and check out the links for video highlights.
Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans Saints - Scored the game-winning touchdown on a six-yard pass from Drew Brees while totaling 18 rush yards and 24 receiving yards in a 30-27 comeback win over the Panthers.
Arrelious Benn, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Had a season-high 46 yards on three catches, including this 33-yard pickup, in a 48-3 loss to the 49ers.
Brandon Lloyd, WR, Denver Broncos - Pulled in a stellar one-handed grab for 20 yards on the final drive in a 29-24 loss to the Chargers.
Neil Rackers, PK, Houston Texans - Nailed a 54 and 40-yard field goal along with two extra points in a 25-20 loss to the Raiders.
Jon Asamoah, OG, Kansas City Chiefs - Started at right guard and protected Matt Cassel, who threw four touchdowns in a 28-24 win over the Colts.
David Diehl, OT, New York Giants - Started at right guard for the Giants, who racked up 464 yards of total offense in a 36-25 loss to the Seahawks.
Steve Weatherford, P, New York Giants - Punted seven times, averaging 49 yards, in a 36-25 loss to the Seahawks.
Kelvin Hayden, CB, Atlanta Falcons - Had two passes defended in a 25-14 loss to the Packers.
Brandon Moore, OG, New York Jets - Started at guard in a 30-21 loss to the Patriots.
Corey Liuget, DL, San Diego Chargers - Played in the 29-24 win over the Broncos, but did not record any statistics.
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers - Did not play in the 38-17 win over the Titans due to a hamstring injury.
Martez Wilson, LB, New Orleans Saints - Was inactive for the 30-27 win over the Panthers due to a neck and shoulder injury.
Brit Miller, FB, St. Louis Rams - Bye week.
Michael Hoomanawanui, TE, St. Louis Rams - Bye week.
Vontae Davis, CB, Miami Dolphins - Bye week.
Alan Ball, CB, Dallas Cowboys - Bye week.
Josh Brent, DT, Dallas Cowboys - Bye week.
Tony Pashos, OG, Cleveland Browns - Bye week.
Former Illini on Injured Reserve/Practice Squad
Jeff Cumberland, TE, New York Jets - Injured Reserve (torn Achilles)
Mikel Leshoure, RB, Detroit Lions - Injured Reserve (torn Achilles)
Nate Bussey, LB, New Orleans Saints - Practice Squad
J Leman, LB, Oakland Raiders - Practice Squad
Eddie McGee, WR, Oakland Raiders - Practice Squad
Arrelious Benn, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Had a season-high 46 yards on three catches, including this 33-yard pickup, in a 48-3 loss to the 49ers.
Brandon Lloyd, WR, Denver Broncos - Pulled in a stellar one-handed grab for 20 yards on the final drive in a 29-24 loss to the Chargers.
Neil Rackers, PK, Houston Texans - Nailed a 54 and 40-yard field goal along with two extra points in a 25-20 loss to the Raiders.
Jon Asamoah, OG, Kansas City Chiefs - Started at right guard and protected Matt Cassel, who threw four touchdowns in a 28-24 win over the Colts.
David Diehl, OT, New York Giants - Started at right guard for the Giants, who racked up 464 yards of total offense in a 36-25 loss to the Seahawks.
Steve Weatherford, P, New York Giants - Punted seven times, averaging 49 yards, in a 36-25 loss to the Seahawks.
Kelvin Hayden, CB, Atlanta Falcons - Had two passes defended in a 25-14 loss to the Packers.
Brandon Moore, OG, New York Jets - Started at guard in a 30-21 loss to the Patriots.
Corey Liuget, DL, San Diego Chargers - Played in the 29-24 win over the Broncos, but did not record any statistics.
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers - Did not play in the 38-17 win over the Titans due to a hamstring injury.
Martez Wilson, LB, New Orleans Saints - Was inactive for the 30-27 win over the Panthers due to a neck and shoulder injury.
Brit Miller, FB, St. Louis Rams - Bye week.
Michael Hoomanawanui, TE, St. Louis Rams - Bye week.
Vontae Davis, CB, Miami Dolphins - Bye week.
Alan Ball, CB, Dallas Cowboys - Bye week.
Josh Brent, DT, Dallas Cowboys - Bye week.
Tony Pashos, OG, Cleveland Browns - Bye week.
Former Illini on Injured Reserve/Practice Squad
Jeff Cumberland, TE, New York Jets - Injured Reserve (torn Achilles)
Mikel Leshoure, RB, Detroit Lions - Injured Reserve (torn Achilles)
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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