How Former Hoosiers Fared in Week 14 of the 2020 NFL Season

Written by Evan McShane

Hoosiers in the NFL: Week 14 

Nine Hoosiers were active across the NFL this week, the highest total since earlier in the season. There were no eye-popping stats posted by IU players this week, but week 14 included several solid performances. Let’s take a look around the league and check in on those former Hoosiers.

Rodger Saffold, LG, Tennessee Titans (9-4)

Rodger Saffold and the Titans dominated the Jaguars on Sunday. Tennessee ran the ball for almost 250 yards as a team, thanks in large part to Saffold and the Titans’ offensive line. The Titans are poised for another postseason run. This will be Saffold’s fourth consecutive season making the playoffs.

Jordan Howard, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (4-8-1)

Jordan Howard was inactive for the Philadelphia Eagles win on Sunday as the former Hoosier running back has been placed on the practice squad. Despite having four touchdowns this season, Howard has struggled to find his footing on the field and has also dealt with some injuries.

Tevin Coleman, RB, San Francisco 49ers (5-8)

Tevin Coleman has battled injuries all year but was active for the Niners loss to Washington on Sunday. The former standout running back at IU has had a rather tumultuous 2020 season. This week, Coleman played on special teams but saw just two offensive snaps and did not record a statistic in the loss. San Francisco has a very slim chance at making the playoffs. Coleman will have to focus on getting healthy and prepared for the 2021 season.

Nate Sudfeld, QB, Philadelphia Eagles (4-8-1)

Nate Sudfeld was inactive for the Eagles win over the Saints on Sunday. Rookie Jalen Hurts has been promoted to starting QB over Carson Wentz, while Sudfeld has remained the third string quarterback.

Dan Feeney, LG, Los Angeles Chargers (4-9)

One week after losing 45-0, Dan Feeney and the Chargers defeated the Falcons for their fourth win of the season. Feeney has been rock-solid all year as expected. The former Hoosier lineman has not missed a snap all season. In fact, you’d have to go back to October 2019 for the last time Feeney missed a single snap. Although the Chargers have struggled this season, they have found their QB of the future in Justin Herbert. 

Ian Thomas, TE, Carolina Panthers (4-9)

Ian Thomas added to his catch total in Carolina’s loss to the Broncos. Thomas caught three passes for 20 yards in the game. The former Hoosier tight end has 16 receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown so far in 2020.

Wes Martin, OL, Washington Football Team (6-7)

Wes Martin was active for the Washington Football Team’s victory over the 49ers on Sunday. Martin played primarily on special teams and saw a handful of offensive snaps in the victory. Washington now sits atop the NFC East with a chance to host a playoff game.

Brandon Knight, OL, Dallas Cowboys (4-9)

For the second straight week Brandon Knight played every single offensive snap for the Cowboys. This time, Dallas was victorious as they blew out the lowly Cincinnati Bengals. Thanks to the underachieving NFC East, Dallas is somehow still alive in the playoff hunt, although they’d need a ton of luck to get there. Nevertheless, Brandon Knight has played fairly well in his second NFL season.

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR, Tennessee Titans (9-4)

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine saw the majority of his playing time on special teams, although he was also used on almost a third of Tennessee’s offensive snaps. Westbrook-Ikhine was targeted once in the passing game but did not record a statistic in the Titans’ win. The former Hoosier wideout has two catches on the season for 14 yards to go with another reception on a successful two-point conversion.

Jason Spriggs, OT, Chicago Bears (6-7)

Jason Spriggs was active for the Bears win over the Texans on Sunday. Spriggs saw playing time on special teams in the win.
Simon Stepaniak, OL, Green Bay Packers (10-3)

Simon Stepaniak was inactive for the Packers win over the Lions. Stepaniak will spend 2020 getting practice reps in hopes of working his way into the offensive line rotation in the future.

Dan Godsil, Cincinnati Bengals (2-10-1)

Dan Godsil was inactive Sunday as he remains on the Bengals’ practice squad.

Tegray Scales, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers (11-2)

Tegray Scales was elevated from the practice squat to the gameday roster and was active for the Steelers loss on Sunday against the Bills. Scales saw playing time primarily on special teams. The former Hoosier hopes to carve out a role with Pittsburgh as an inside linebacker.

Total Hoosier Touchdowns: 5 (Jordan Howard 4, Ian Thomas 1)