Each week the Illini in the NFL Update will provide coverage on how
former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous
weekend. Rashard Mendenhall had a solid outing with a touchdown,
100-plus rushing yards and a career-long catch while both Pierre Thomas
and Arrelious Benn recorded scores to highlight Week 16. Read up on how
the rest of the past Illini played and check out the links for video
highlights.
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers - Turned in his second 100-plus yard rushing games of the year with 116 yards on the ground, including this 1-yard TD run and this 52-yard scamper, and notched the longest reception of his career with this 35-yard pickup in a 27-0 win over the Rams.
Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans Saints - Found the end zone on this 4-yard TD run and totaled 53 rushing yards and two catches in a 45-16 win over the Falcons.
Arrelious Benn, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Scored his third touchdown of the season on this 4-yard reception in a 48-16 loss to the Panthers.
Neil Rackers, PK, Houston Texans - Hit all three field goals from 31, 35 and 44 yards along with an extra point in a 19-16 loss to the Colts.
Brandon Lloyd, WR, St. Louis Rams - Caught three passes for 29 yards in a 27-0 loss to the Steelers.
Corey Liuget, DL, San Diego Chargers - Was in on two tackles in a 38-10 loss to the Lions.
Vontae Davis, CB, Miami Dolphins - Had two tackles and a pass defended in a 27-24 loss to the Patriots.
Martez Wilson, LB, New Orleans Saints - Made one tackle in a 45-16 win over the Falcons.
Steve Weatherford, P, New York Giants - Matched a season high with nine punts and averaged 43.4 yards in a 29-14 win over the Jets.
David Diehl, OT, New York Giants - Started at left tackle for the Giants, who rushed for 115 yards in a 29-14 win over the Jets.
Jon Asamoah, OG, Kansas City Chiefs - Started at right guard in a 16-13 loss to the Raiders.
Brandon Moore, OG, New York Jets - Started at guard in a 29-14 loss to the Giants.
Tony Pashos, OG, Cleveland Browns - Started at right tackle in a 20-14 loss to the Ravens.
Alan Ball, CB, Dallas Cowboys - Played in a 20-7 loss to the Eagles, but did not record any statistics.
Josh Brent, DT, Dallas Cowboys - Did not play in a 20-7 loss to the Eagles due to a knee injury.
Kelvin Hayden, CB, Atlanta Falcons - Was inactive for the 45-16 loss to the Saints due to a toe injury.
Former Illini on Injured Reserve/Practice Squad
Brit Miller, FB, St. Louis Rams - Injured Reserve (knee)
Michael Hoomanawanui, TE, St. Louis Rams - Injured Reserve (torn ACL)
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
Eddie McGee, WR, Oakland Raiders - Practice Squad
Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans Saints - Found the end zone on this 4-yard TD run and totaled 53 rushing yards and two catches in a 45-16 win over the Falcons.
Arrelious Benn, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Scored his third touchdown of the season on this 4-yard reception in a 48-16 loss to the Panthers.
Neil Rackers, PK, Houston Texans - Hit all three field goals from 31, 35 and 44 yards along with an extra point in a 19-16 loss to the Colts.
Brandon Lloyd, WR, St. Louis Rams - Caught three passes for 29 yards in a 27-0 loss to the Steelers.
Corey Liuget, DL, San Diego Chargers - Was in on two tackles in a 38-10 loss to the Lions.
Vontae Davis, CB, Miami Dolphins - Had two tackles and a pass defended in a 27-24 loss to the Patriots.
Martez Wilson, LB, New Orleans Saints - Made one tackle in a 45-16 win over the Falcons.
Steve Weatherford, P, New York Giants - Matched a season high with nine punts and averaged 43.4 yards in a 29-14 win over the Jets.
David Diehl, OT, New York Giants - Started at left tackle for the Giants, who rushed for 115 yards in a 29-14 win over the Jets.
Jon Asamoah, OG, Kansas City Chiefs - Started at right guard in a 16-13 loss to the Raiders.
Brandon Moore, OG, New York Jets - Started at guard in a 29-14 loss to the Giants.
Tony Pashos, OG, Cleveland Browns - Started at right tackle in a 20-14 loss to the Ravens.
Alan Ball, CB, Dallas Cowboys - Played in a 20-7 loss to the Eagles, but did not record any statistics.
Josh Brent, DT, Dallas Cowboys - Did not play in a 20-7 loss to the Eagles due to a knee injury.
Kelvin Hayden, CB, Atlanta Falcons - Was inactive for the 45-16 loss to the Saints due to a toe injury.
Former Illini on Injured Reserve/Practice Squad
Brit Miller, FB, St. Louis Rams - Injured Reserve (knee)
Michael Hoomanawanui, TE, St. Louis Rams - Injured Reserve (torn ACL)
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
Eddie McGee, WR, Oakland Raiders - Practice Squad
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