The NFL preseason is progressing fast, and we’re only a couple of weeks away from the start of the regular season. With Week 2 of the preseason almost concluded, we take another look at how former Hoosiers are performing across the NFL.
It was a much quieter week for former Indiana players compared to Week 1, when it seemed like almost every Hoosier had a strong performance. This week, some of the rookie growing pains started to show for a few of the younger players.
Myles Price and Kahlil Benson continued to put together strong training camps, while Kaelon Black finally returned to the practice field and showed off his explosiveness in his preseason debut. Two former Hoosier free agents also found new homes, with Trey Wedig returning to Indiana and Cam Jones reuniting with the Chiefs.
Now, let’s take a look at how former Hoosiers performed during Week 2 of the NFL preseason.
Las Vegas Raiders vs Houston Texans [22-20]
Raiders
[#15] QB Fernando Mendoza (2025) [2nd String]
Fernando Mendoza showed some rookie moments this week in practice and against the Texans. He received significant snaps with the first team and made some impressive throws into tight windows, but he also made mistakes, including an interception, while facing plenty of pressure from Houston’s pass rush.
To be fair, Mendoza was going against Houston’s first-team defense, one of the best units in the NFL last season, which was always going to be a tough challenge for a rookie. All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. praised Mendoza’s attitude and energy while encouraging his offensive line and said he believes Mendoza will become a really good NFL quarterback.
Mendoza showed he can make legitimate NFL throws against Houston’s starters, but he is also learning how small the margin for error becomes against NFL defenses.
Mendoza started the entire first half for Las Vegas, but things got off to a rough start. On the opening drive, he threw a pick-six and even tried to chase down Wade Woodaz before realizing he wasn’t going to catch him. The pressure continued on the Raiders’ second possession when they went three-and-out.
Las Vegas wasn’t playing its starting offensive line, and it showed. Mendoza was sacked once and hit five times, finishing 8-of-15 for 86 yards and an interception. He didn’t look comfortable early but eventually settled down and started making better throws. While the box score may look grim, Mendoza didn’t struggle as much as the numbers might suggest. He connected with Jalen Nailor for 22 yards and later delivered an 18-yard completion to Malik Benson on third down with great ball placement.
“There’s a lot more learning to do,” Mendoza said after Thursday’s game. “Although maybe you had a lot of success at another level, this level is a whole step further.”
It may take some time before Mendoza looks like an NFL starter, but these are the reps that will help him continue his development.
[#80] TE Ian Thomas (2016-17) [Competing for 3rd String]
Ian Thomas has recently emerged as one of Mendoza’s more reliable targets alongside wide receiver Malik Benson.
Thomas put together another good week of practice and continued showing he can contribute as a receiving option. Against Houston, he caught three passes for 19 yards, highlighted by an 11-yard reception that moved the chains.
All three of his targets came from his fellow Hoosier Mendoza. Thomas is becoming a reliable option underneath and continues trying to prove that he can provide more than just his blocking ability for Las Vegas.
[#88] WR E.J. Williams Jr. (2023-25) [4th String]
E.J. Williams Jr. remains fourth on the Raiders’ unofficial depth chart and buried in a crowded wide receiver competition. He hasn’t received many opportunities this preseason, but when he does, he has tried to make them count. Williams caught his only target against Houston for six yards, setting up a third-and-1.
With several receivers ahead of him, Williams is going to need to take advantage of every opportunity he gets if he wants to make the final 53-man roster.
[#37] RB Roman Hemby (2025) [Competing for 4th String]
Roman Hemby has yet to truly separate himself in the Raiders’ crowded backfield. He remains behind Ashton Jeanty, Mike Washington Jr. and Dylan Laube while also competing with veteran Dare Ogunbowale.
Hemby improved from his Week 1 performance, rushing six times for 27 yards while adding a three-yard reception. The numbers weren’t eye-popping, and Ogunbowale and Laube had stronger performances with their opportunities, but Hemby still has time to prove himself. He also returned two kickoffs for 50 yards, showing some additional value on special teams.
It will be tough, but Hemby still has a chance to push for a roster spot.
Texans
[#59] LB Aiden Fisher (2024-25) [4th String]
Aiden Fisher put together another strong outing for Houston. Fisher was once again active around the football, recording six tackles, four solo, in the loss. We even got some Hoosier-on-Hoosier action when Fisher tackled Ian Thomas following his 11-yard reception.
Fisher has a knack for finding the football and finishing tackles. While Houston’s talented defense might make playing time difficult to come by early in his career, his dependability is giving the seventh-round pick a good chance at making the roster.
He’ll need to create more disruptive plays before earning a larger rotational role, but so far, Fisher is showing that he belongs in the NFL.
San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Chargers [41-17]
49ers
[#26] RB Kaelon Black (2024-25) [2nd String]
Kaelon Black finally returned to practice this week, participating in 11-on-11 drills for the first time in more than two weeks. Black immediately brought some energy, running hard through holes and showing plenty of juice whenever the ball was in his hands. Quarterback Brock Purdy took notice.
“I thought he looked good hitting the hole and running hard,” Purdy said. “You could tell there’s a different level of intensity when he touches the ball.”
That same energy translated into San Francisco’s dominant win over the Chargers. Black looked explosive and appeared to cut down on some of the wasted movement he has been working to eliminate after watching Christian McCaffrey practice up close. In 16 offensive snaps, Black rushed eight times for 33 yards.
He also earned praise for his pass blocking, showing that he can be trustworthy in addition to explosive, which is exactly what Kyle Shanahan wants from his running backs.
McCaffrey will obviously hold the RB1 role, but with Jordan James still injured, Black has a real opportunity to emerge as the backup. His future looks bright in San Francisco, and it will be interesting to see how Shanahan utilizes him.
[#14] QB Kurtis Rourke (2024) [3rd String]
Kurtis Rourke did not practice this week as he continues recovering from the rib injury he suffered late in the first half against Tennessee.
With Rourke sidelined, Adrian Martinez received most of the quarterback work behind Brock Purdy and Mac Jones. Martinez hasn’t done much to separate himself in the competition, while Rourke looked composed and efficient during his limited action in Week 1. As long as he can get healthy, Rourke still appears to have the advantage for the QB3 spot.
[#99] DT C.J. West (2024) [2nd String/Rotational Piece]
C.J. West made a brief appearance at practice Sunday before exiting early and entering concussion protocol. He did not practice for the remainder of the week.
West put together a solid rookie season with 21 tackles, 14 solo, and a sack. Entering his second year in San Francisco, he is expected to take on a larger role along the defensive line. He has yet to appear in the preseason, but West should still have an opportunity to make an impact for the 49ers this season.
[IR] Edge Mikail Kamara (2024-25)
There isn’t much of an update on Mikail Kamara following the torn ACL he suffered earlier in training camp. The long-term goal is for Kamara to make a full return for the 2027 NFL training camp. He will undergo surgery and begin what will be a lengthy rehabilitation process. Kamara remains on the 49ers’ injured reserve list, with San Francisco expected to evaluate his recovery again in the spring.
New York Jets vs Pittsburgh Steelers [17-0]
Jets
[#83] WR Omar Cooper Jr. (2022-25) [2nd String]
Omar Cooper Jr. has yet to fully separate himself during training camp. Cooper has been putting in the work, including staying after practice to catch 100 balls from the Jugs machine, but Isaiah Williams has been one of the standouts of Jets camp and appears to have moved ahead in the slot receiver competition. That doesn’t mean Cooper has had a bad camp. Williams has simply been really good.
There were still some encouraging signs against Pittsburgh. Cooper was listed as a starter alongside Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell, although he finished with just one reception for nine yards on his only target late in the second quarter. His performance didn’t hurt his stock, but it didn’t do much to move him ahead in the competition either.
[#23] CB D’Angelo Ponds (2024-25) [2nd String]
D’Angelo Ponds has yet to return to practice since suffering a calf strain during the first practice of training camp. The injury isn’t considered serious, but it has now kept him sidelined for roughly three weeks. Head coach Aaron Glenn believes Ponds will return soon and is hopeful he will be fully healthy for the Jets’ season opener against Tennessee.
The injury has unfortunately cost Ponds some valuable reps, but Glenn still appears to have plenty of faith in the former Hoosier as a candidate for the nickel job.
[#41] LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball (2016-21) [2nd String]
Marcelino McCrary-Ball has continued looking steady throughout camp. There wasn’t much of note from practice this week, but he once again looked solid on the field against Pittsburgh. McCrary-Ball did a good job recognizing plays and staying active around the football, finishing with four tackles, two solo.
They weren’t the type of drive-changing plays he made in Week 1, but he did his job maintaining containment and cleaning up tackles. McCrary-Ball continues establishing himself as a reliable rotational linebacker.
Steelers
[#37] FB Riley Nowakowski (2025)
Riley Nowakowski’s versatility continues to be his biggest advantage in his push for the 53-man roster. His ability to line up in different spots and handle multiple responsibilities gives Pittsburgh plenty of options. His roster chances may ultimately depend on whether the Steelers want to carry a fullback/tight end hybrid in their offense.
In Pittsburgh’s loss to the Jets, Nowakowski caught his only target for 10 yards and a first down. He also contributed on special teams, recording a tackle on the opening kickoff.
When called upon, Nowakowski has been efficient and reliable. He made an impressive one-handed touchdown catch last week and continues showing value on special teams despite receiving limited offensive opportunities.
[#40] S Devan Boykin (2025) [3rd String]
Devan Boykin had a mixed week of practice. He allowed some completions when directly involved in coverage but also showed positive flashes as a blitzer, putting pressure on the quarterback with some well-timed rushes.
Boykin’s tackling looked solid against the Jets. He finished with three tackles, including two solo stops on back-to-back plays during the second quarter that went for minimal gains. He wasn’t quite as active as he was against Green Bay in Week 1, but Boykin still put together a solid performance.
Baltimore Ravens vs Minnesota Vikings [13-3]
Ravens
[#13] WR Elijah Sarratt (2024-25) [Competing for 3rd String]
Elijah Sarratt continued showing promise during Baltimore’s joint practices with Minnesota. Sarratt and fellow rookie receiver Ja’Kobi Lane were described as “stellar” during their one-on-one reps. Sarratt used his route running to shake defenders and create separation for catches.
That was an encouraging development, especially because Baltimore’s offense struggled against Minnesota’s defense during full-team periods, limiting opportunities for its receivers.
Sarratt’s game performance was much quieter than his six-reception, 66-yard outing against Philadelphia in Week 1. Against Minnesota, he was targeted just once and caught it for three yards. He didn’t play poorly. He simply didn’t receive the same opportunities he had the previous week.
His route running and catching ability continue to be his biggest strengths. Now it will be up to Baltimore to determine how much it wants to feature the former Hoosier standout.
Vikings
[#4] WR/PR/KR Myles Price (2024) [2nd String WR, 1st String KR/PR]
Myles Price continues to have an amazing training camp. During Minnesota’s joint practices with Baltimore, Price made several impressive plays and was one of the standouts of the Vikings’ offense. He was heavily targeted and caught nearly everything thrown his way across position drills, red-zone work and team periods.
Price showed his separation skills in one-on-ones, made contested catches and continued winning vertically. He also found the end zone multiple times during practice. He has looked excellent and appears to have locked up Minnesota’s WR4 position.
His production in the game didn’t match what he did in practice, although the numbers don’t tell the entire story. Price caught just one pass for eight yards on four targets, but he was open on multiple plays where inaccurate passes sailed over him. It should be an exciting year for the second-year receiver out of Indiana.
New York Giants vs Miami Dolphins [26-3]
Giants
[#41] MLB Micah McFadden (2018-21) [2nd String/Rotational Piece]
Micah McFadden had another strong week of practice, particularly against the run. McFadden consistently filled running lanes and got to the football quickly, both during the Giants’ normal practices and their joint work with Miami. He also showed some of his coverage ability by making plays against receivers in the flats.
His numbers were relatively quiet against the Dolphins, but McFadden still made a significant impact. Late in the first quarter, he recovered a fumble before getting to quarterback Cam Miller for a sack shortly afterward.
McFadden continues making a strong case for himself and already has a proven track record as a reliable rotational linebacker for the Giants.
[#43] S Raheem Layne (2017-21) [3rd String]
Raheem Layne has been somewhat quiet during camp, but his play hasn’t gone unnoticed. Layne flashed his ability as a blitzer by recording a sack in practice before showing off his coverage skills the following day, running stride-for-stride with a receiver on a deep route down the sideline. His combination of coverage and blitzing ability gives New York another reason to keep him around as a depth piece.
Layne didn’t make much noise in Saturday’s game against Miami, recording one solo tackle. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing for a safety, but he simply didn’t have a major impact on the game.
Dolphins
[#41] S Louis Moore (2022-23, 2025) [3rd String]
Louis Moore has continued making some noise during Dolphins training camp. This week wasn’t quite as eye-popping as some of his previous practices, but Moore remains in the battle for a spot in Miami’s secondary.
He recorded only one tackle against the Giants, but he made it count. After Isaiah Hodgins hauled in a 17-yard reception, Moore came downhill and delivered a big hit.
The former Hoosier continues showing that he isn’t afraid of contact while displaying the physicality he can bring to Miami’s secondary.
Kansas City Chiefs vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers [15-16]
Chiefs
[#70] RT Kahlil Benson (2020-23, 2025) [2nd String]
Kahlil Benson continues putting together a really positive training camp. The undrafted rookie made even more strides this week as Kansas City continued moving him around the offensive line. Offensive line coach Andy Heck said Wednesday that tackle is probably Benson’s best position and praised the “dominant physical traits” he has shown since rookie minicamp.
The Chiefs staff has also praised Benson’s work ethic and improvement throughout camp. Kansas City’s willingness to experiment with him at multiple positions shows the amount of trust he has already earned rather than treating him as just another camp body.
Benson’s strong week of practice didn’t fully translate to the game against Tampa Bay. With Josh Simmons unavailable, Benson started at right tackle and played 56% of Kansas City’s offensive snaps. His physicality showed up in the run game, where he displayed some of the powerful downfield blocking that has excited the Chiefs staff.
His pass protection was a different story. Benson was beaten several times, including on a strip sack of Justin Fields. However, he made up for that play by recovering the fumble himself and advancing it seven yards. He also had some problems with penalties, drawing a false start in the first quarter and an illegal formation penalty in the second.
It wasn’t his best performance, but for an undrafted rookie starting against Tampa Bay’s first-team defense, Benson still showed some encouraging flashes. These are the growing pains that come with making the jump to the NFL.
[#45] LB Cam Jones (2018-22) [Competing for roster spot]
There is some good news surrounding former Indiana linebacker Cam Jones. After being waived by the Giants on July 25, Jones signed with the Chiefs on Aug. 19, bringing him back to a familiar organization.
This isn’t Jones’ first stint in Kansas City. After going undrafted in 2023, he spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons with the Chiefs before eventually moving on.
Although he had only been back with Kansas City for a few days, his familiarity with the defensive scheme and special teams operation allowed him to jump back into the system quickly. Jones played 10 defensive snaps and nine more on special teams against Tampa Bay, giving him 19 total snaps just three days after signing.
He finished with one tackle, but receiving that much playing time so soon after returning to the team is an encouraging sign as Jones battles for a roster spot.
Cincinnati Bengals vs Chicago Bears [27-9]
Bengals
[#12] WR/PR/KR Ke’Shawn Williams (2024) [3rd string WR, 2nd PR, 3rd KR]
Ke’Shawn Williams continues battling to prove his value and earn a roster spot. His versatility as both a receiver and returner gives him multiple paths to making the team, although Cincinnati also has plenty of competition at both positions.
Williams didn’t stand out much during practice this week, but his game against Chicago was a major improvement from Week 1, when he went without a reception. Williams caught all three of his targets for 42 yards against the Bears. He also received one rushing attempt but was unable to gain any yards. On special teams, Williams returned a punt for 12 yards.
After a quiet Week 1, Williams stepped up when given more opportunities. He remains buried on the depth chart, meaning every preseason rep will matter as he pushes for the final roster.
Indianapolis Colts vs Atlanta Falcons [6-34]
Colts
[#12] WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (2015-19) [2nd String]
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine put together another positive week of practice. He caught a red-zone touchdown from Riley Leonard and showed a good connection with Anthony Richardson during team drills. His size and experience continue to be two of his biggest advantages in the Colts’ receiver room.
Westbrook-Ikhine appeared to have a strong opportunity to earn the WR3 job until Indianapolis signed veteran free agent Keenan Allen to a one-year deal on Aug. 19.
He didn’t see much action against Atlanta and finished without a recorded statistic. There isn’t much to take away from his game performance, but Westbrook-Ikhine has shown the Colts that he can be a reliable red-zone threat while bringing valuable veteran experience.
[#69] OT Trey Wedig (2024) [3rd String]
Another Hoosier is back in Indiana. On Aug. 18, the Colts signed former Indiana tackle Trey Wedig to their active roster. Because he has had almost no time within Indianapolis’ system, there wasn’t much to report from practice this week.
Wedig went undrafted in 2025 and spent that preseason with the Los Angeles Rams but did not make the final roster. He later joined the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad in November before being released several weeks later.
Before signing with Indianapolis, Wedig played for the DC Defenders in the UFL at both right and left tackle. He appeared in five games with one start.
Now, the former Hoosier gets another opportunity to make room for himself on an NFL roster, this time back in Indiana.
Detroit Lions vs Washington Commanders [17-13]
Lions
[#43] TE Zach Horton (2024) [Competing for roster spot]
Zach Horton’s training camp has been relatively quiet, but that isn’t necessarily unexpected for the type of role he plays. Earlier this offseason, Lions reporter Tim Twentyman described Horton as a “terrific blocking tight end” while also noting some unexpected receiving ability during minicamp. He hasn’t produced many highlights during practice, but blocking remains a major part of what Horton brings to Detroit.
Against Washington, Horton received significant playing time, appearing on 30% of Detroit’s offensive snaps with 20 offensive plays and another two snaps on special teams. He didn’t record any statistics, but the amount of playing time shows he is continuing to get opportunities to prove himself.
Tennessee Titans vs Seahawks [Sunday, 8pm ET]
Titans
[#79] C Pat Coogan (2025) [3rd String]
Pat Coogan has put together another steady week of practice. He continues receiving reps with Tennessee’s backup offensive groups but has yet to overtake any of the veterans ahead of him. Coogan remained involved in the Titans’ center rotation throughout the week, including during their joint practices with Seattle.
Tennessee had a good amount of success running the football during the joint sessions, although how much of that can be directly attributed to Coogan remains to be seen.
His play has become more consistent throughout camp, and it will be interesting to see how much time the former Hoosier gets on the field Sunday night against the Seahawks.
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