At the mid-point of the NFL season, talented former UFL stars continue to be playmakers in Week 9. Find out which players made an impact this week.
Daniel Whelan, Green Bay Packers punter (D.C. Defenders)
The 5-2-1 Green Bay Packers lost a close 16-13 game to the 5-4 Carolina Panthers. The Packers are still atop the NFC North division with the 5-3 Detroit Lions and the 5-3 Chicago Bears nipping at their heels.
In September, the Packers signed punter Daniel Whelan to a two-year contract extension worth $6.2 million with a $2.2 million signing bonus. The former D.C. Defenders punter earned All-XFL honors with a punting average of 46.5 yards. During his time in Green Bay, Whelan has continued to improve his statistics. He has a total of 22 punts for 1,142 yards, with his longest punt of 65 yards, raising his average to 51.9 yards.
Lucas Havrisik-Green Bay Packers kicker (San Antonio Brahmas)
With Green Bay’s veteran kicker Brandon McManus returning to the lineup from injury, former San Antonio Brahmas kicker Lucas Havrisik was inactive as a healthy scratch for the second week in a row. Two weeks ago, Havrisik set a franchise record with a 61-yard field goal.
Next week, Green Bay will take on the 6-2 NFC-leading Philadelphia Eagles.
Adrian Martinez, San Francisco 49ers quarterback (Birmingham Stallions)
Sometimes, hard work, patience, and persistence can pay off. On Sunday, former UFL League MVP and Birmingham Stallions quarterback Adrian Martinez took his first long-awaited NFL snap.
On Sunday, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones generously went to the sidelines, allowing Martinez to play the final snap in the team’s 34-24 victory. All Martinez needed to do was take a knee as the final seconds ticked off, but after waiting a season and a half for this moment, it meant a lot.
Speaking to the media after the game, Jones explained why he stepped aside for Martinez, “He’s just been awesome, to be honest. He’s a good friend of mine. Just gotten to know him — he’s been a great voice in that room along with Brock [Purdy] and [Kurtis] Rourke as well, so we got a great room.”
Next week, the 6-3 San Francisco 49ers will take on their NFC West Division rivals, the 5-2 Los Angeles Rams, at home on Sunday, November 9th.
Parker Romo, Atlanta Falcons kicker (XFL San Antonio Brahmas)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Parker Romo has been almost perfect this season in both field goals and extra points. However, the former San Antonio Brahmas kicker may have been at least partly responsible for the Falcons’ 24-23 loss to the New England Patriots. Romo connected on his only field goal attempt, a 38-yarder, but missed on one of three extra points. That missed PAT could have led to a tie game that might have sent the Falcons into overtime.
LaCale London, Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle (XFL St. Louis Battlehawks)
Former St. Louis Battlehawks defensive tackle LaCale London had a huge game on Sunday despite the losing score. London had five tackles (four solo), 2.0 sacks on Drake Maye, and a forced fumble. London has seen limited action this season, but after a performance like that, he is sure to see more.
Next week, the 3-5 Falcons travel to Germany to take on the 7-2 Indianapolis Colts. The game will be televised at 9:30 am EST on the NFL Network.
Jalen Redmond, Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle (Arlington Renegades)
One of the former UFL players who is continuing to make an impact this season was Minnesota Vikings DT Jalen Redmond. Earlier this week, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell was asked about Redmond, and he was quick to offer his praise, “I’m glad you mentioned Redmond. I think Redmond’s an outstanding player. I really do, man. I think that guy is disruptive, I think he plays the run, I think he gets an edge in the pass game.”
Unfortunately, the Detroit team wound up on the losing end of a 27-24 score against the Vikings. Redmond, the former Arlington Renegades standout, delivered a powerful sack on quarterback Jared Goff. The sack was his fourth this season, and he leads the team in this category. Redmond added three tackles, bringing his season total to 23 with 12 solo tackles.
Next week, the Vikings will host the 3-5 Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, November 9th.
Jacob Saylors, Detroit Lions running back (St. Louis Battlehawks)
Former St. Louis Battlehawks and All-UFL team running back Jacob Saylors continues to handle the kickoff return duties for the Detroit Lions. On Sunday, Saylors had 6 returns for 170 yards with a 39-yard return as his longest of the day. Saylors is currently averaging more than 28 yards per return, and each week his stats have improved. Unfortunately, Saylors’ impressive performance wasn’t enough for the Lions to overcome a superior effort by the visiting Vikings, who defeated the Lions at home 27-24.
Nick Whiteside, Detroit Lions cornerback (St. Louis Battlehawks)
Former St. Louis Battlehawks cornerback Nick Whiteside turned in such an outstanding performance two weeks ago that he was awarded a locker room game ball. As a recently called-up reserve player, Whiteside was part of a group of backup players who were nicknamed the “Legion of Whom” by Lions’ DC Kelvin Sheppard for their unknown status. However, with the return of several starters on Sunday, Whiteside and the others played more of a backup role, with Whiteside contributing only one assisted tackle.
Jake Bates, Detroit Lions kicker (UFL Michigan Panthers)
After an outstanding rookie season a year ago, former Michigan Panthers star kicker Jake Bates has struggled in recent weeks. He experienced a rare missed 54-yard field goal attempt two weeks ago, but made a clutch 58-yard kick later in the game. On Sunday, Bates connected on a 41-yard field goal and made all three of his extra points, but a blocked field goal late in the 4th quarter proved to be a missed opportunity that might have cost the Lions the game.
Next Sunday afternoon, the 5-3 Lions will travel to Washington, DC, to take on the 3-6 Commanders. The game will be televised at 4:25 pm EST.
Dondrea Tillman, Denver Broncos offensive linebacker (Birmingham Stallions)
Former Birmingham Stallions OLB Dondrea Tillman turned in another solid performance as the Denver Broncos defeated the 3-5 Houston Texans by a score of 18-15. Tillman had four tackles (one solo), raising his season total to 20 tackles, and was credited with half a sack.
Next week, the 7-2 Broncos, who lead the AFC West Division, will host the 2-5 Las Vegas Raiders.
Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys kicker (USFL Birmingham Stallions)
NFL fans have grown accustomed to seeing astounding field goals from Dallas Cowboys star kicker Brandon Aubrey. Thanks to the superior performances of Aubrey and others, including Lucas Havrisik, 60-plus-yard field goals are becoming more common in the league. Earlier this week, Carolina Panthers’ place kicker Cam Little broke the NFL record with a 68-yard boot. So, it came as no surprise that Aubrey would try to match that record just before halftime. Unfortunately, Aubrey’s shot went wide to the left. Although he converted a 26-yard field goal later in the game along with two extra points, it was a disappointing night for Aubrey. It was his first miss of the season, leaving him with a record of 17 out of 18 field goal attempts. The Cowboys lost to the 3-5 Arizona Cardinals by a score of 27-17.
KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver (USFL New Jersey Generals)
Former New Jersey Generals and Dallas Cowboys wide receiver and all-purpose utility player, KaVontae Turpin, had 2 receptions last night for 10 yards, along with one carry for three yards. Appearing in seven games this season, he has made 15 catches for 184 yards. But Turpin’s biggest contribution to the team is his superior talent in kickoff returns. On Monday night, he returned six kicks for 151 yards with a longest of 36 yards. He returned one punt for six yards. He also had one defensive tackle on special teams.
In NFL Week 10, the 3-5 Cowboys have a bye week.
Bye Week Players:
Andre Szmyt, Cleveland Browns kicker ( St. Louis Battlehawks)
Rex Sunahara, Cleveland Browns long snapper (San Antonio Brahmas)
Practice Squad Players:
Jonathan Garvin DE, Chicago Bears practice squad (Birmingham Stallions)
Jashaun Corbin-New England Patriots running back (D.C. Defenders)
Brandon Smith, New York Jets wide receiver (D.C. Defenders)
Note: Brandon Smith, the Jets’ wide receiver, was released three days after being elevated from the practice squad.
Check back here next week to find out who the standout spring players are from NFL Week 10.
