Week 4 of the NFL was filled with firsts for former Hoosiers, as well as honors for others who have made a name for themselves this season. Wide receiver Elijah Sarratt made his first NFL reception with the Ravens against the Titans on Sunday. Cornerback D’Angelo Ponds got more involved against the Bears, and tight end Ian Thomas scored his first touchdown of the season with the Raiders.
While those Hoosiers were making their first impacts of the season, others were gaining national recognition. Wide receiver and return specialist Myles Price earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September with his electrifying performances for the Vikings. Undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson has been holding down left tackle in Kansas City and earned Offensive Rookie of the Month.
With some Hoosiers still on injured reserve, others across the league are making an impression. Now, let’s look at how the former Hoosiers performed in Week 4 across the NFL.
Jump to a Matchup
49ers vs. Broncos | Raiders vs. Chiefs
Vikings vs Dolphins | Jets vs. Bears
Texans vs. Cowboys | Ravens vs. Titans
Steelers vs. Browns | Giants vs. Cardinals
Colts vs Commanders | Bengals vs. Jaguars
Free Agents
San Francisco 49ers (4-0) vs Denver Broncos (2-2) [24-14]
49ers
[#26] RB Kaelon Black (2024-25) [RB2]
Kaelon Black had a tough day on the stat sheet. The former Hoosier had six carries for 13 yards, averaging 2.2 yards per carry. While his numbers may not stick out, his rushes meant a lot. In the third quarter, Black converted a fourth-and-1 for the Niners. It was a key conversion that led to a Deebo Samuel touchdown shortly afterward, giving San Francisco a 10-3 lead over the Broncos. Kyle Shanahan trusted the running back enough to give him the ball in that key scenario.
[#99] DT C.J. West (2024) [IR]
West remains on injured reserve with a bone chip in his knee that requires surgery. Kyle Shanahan has said the injury is not expected to end his season, but the Niners have not provided a firm return date.
Because West was placed on IR before Week 3, he must miss at least four games and is first eligible to return in Week 7. That is only the earliest permitted return, and the surgery could keep him out longer.
[#14] QB Kurtis Rourke (2024) [QB3]
Rourke was inactive as San Francisco’s emergency third quarterback. He remains behind Brock Purdy and Mac Jones and did not play. There has been no depth-chart change, but Purdy has been having an excellent year at quarterback.
[IR] Edge Mikail Kamara (2024-25)
Kamara remains on injured reserve after tearing his ACL during training camp and is expected to miss the 2026 season.
Las Vegas Raiders (3-1) vs Kansas City Chiefs (4-0) [30-27]
Raiders
[#15] QB Fernando Mendoza (2025) [QB2]
Mendoza was active this week as QB2 for the Raiders. Las Vegas didn’t need Mendoza in Sunday’s game, and he has still not taken a regular-season snap. However, starting quarterback Kirk Cousins fought hard to try to keep the Raiders undefeated. Cousins threw for 365 yards and two touchdowns, but mistakes ultimately undid the Raiders.
[#80] TE Ian Thomas (2016-17) [TE2]
Being the third tight end behind Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer, Thomas doesn’t get many opportunities in the receiving game. In Sunday’s game against the Chiefs, though, Thomas made the most of his opportunities.
On Vegas’ first possession, Kirk Cousins found Thomas wide open for a 27-yard touchdown, putting the Raiders up 7-0. Thomas had another reception in the game, finishing his afternoon with two catches for 32 yards and a touchdown. Even with talented tight ends ahead of him, Thomas still got a chance and showed just why he deserves to play.
[#37] RB Roman Hemby (2025) [Practice Squad]
Hemby remains on the Raiders’ practice squad and has not been elevated yet. There were no individual reports about his practice performance this week, and his roster status remains unchanged.
Chiefs
[#70] RT Kahlil Benson (2020-23, 2025) [LT1]
Benson has received a lot of recognition this month and finished September by being named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month. He started Kansas City’s first three games at left tackle and continued in that role against the Raiders with Josh Simmons still sidelined. Benson has made the most of the opportunity, but whether he keeps the starting job when Simmons returns remains to be seen.
Against the Raiders, Benson made his fourth consecutive start as the Chiefs won 30-27. The undrafted rookie has gone from earning a roster spot to protecting Patrick Mahomes’ blind side for an undefeated team.
[#45] LB Cam Jones (2018-22) [Practice Squad]
Jones remained on Kansas City’s practice squad and was not elevated for Week 4. Instead, the Chiefs elevated linebacker Cole Christiansen. Christiansen has now used all three of his standard gameday elevations. That could create an opportunity for Jones after the Chiefs’ Week 5 bye, although Kansas City could also sign Christiansen to the active roster. It will be interesting to see if Jones’ role changes in the coming weeks.
Minnesota Vikings (4-0) vs Miami Dolphins (0-4) [15-10]
Vikings
[#4] WR Myles Price (2024) [WR4/KR1/PR1]
After an excellent September, Myles Price was named both NFC Special Teams Player of the Week (for Week 3) and NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September. He led the NFL during September in kickoff return yards, punt return yards, and punt-return average.
He brought that energy into his Week 4 performance against the Dolphins. Price returned two kickoffs for 70 yards (35.0 average) and three punts for 51 yards (17.0 average). His best punt return was a 36-yarder that reversed the field and put Minnesota at Miami’s 38-yard line, helping set up the Vikings’ first field goal. He also had an electric 47-yard kickoff return.
Price had one carry for two yards and caught two passes for six yards. He is getting more involved on offense and is still looking amazing on special teams. The Vikings have been known for excellent returners. From Cordarrelle Patterson to Percy Harvin to Marcus Sherels, Myles Price seems like the next generation of amazing Vikings returners.
New York Jets (1-3) vs Chicago Bears (3-1) [12-23]
Jets
[#11] WR Omar Cooper Jr. (2022-25) [IR]
Omar Cooper Jr. remains on injured reserve with an ankle sprain he suffered in Week 1. He was placed on IR on September 19 and must miss at least four games. The earliest he can return is Week 6 against the Patriots on October 18, if his ankle is ready and the Jets activate him. That is an eligibility date, not a confirmed return date.
[#23] CB D’Angelo Ponds (2024-25) [NB2]
While he is still behind Jarvis Brownlee Jr. at nickel corner, Ponds got to see more action in Sunday’s game. In the loss against the Bears, Ponds finished with three tackles.
He appeared to record his first NFL interception in the fourth quarter, but the play was erased by his own defensive holding penalty. It was a step forward for the young defensive back, and it should be exciting to see him play the rest of this season.
[#41] LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball (2016-21) [IR]
McCrary-Ball injured his ankle against the Packers in Week 2 and was subsequently placed on injured reserve on September 22. He has now missed Weeks 3 and 4. Since the Jets have a Week 7 bye, Week 8 against the Bengals is the earliest he can return after missing the required four games. The Jets have not announced a more specific medical timeline.
Houston Texans (0-4) vs Dallas Cowboys (2-2) [30-34]
Texans
[#59] LB Aiden Fisher (2024-25) [Backup LB/Special Teams]
With Azeez Al-Shaair ruled out and Jake Hansen limited in practice this week, Houston had to turn to its linebacker depth. Fisher was active in the Texans’ loss against the Cowboys, but Hansen and Wade Woodaz were used ahead of him on defense. Fisher did not record a tackle against Dallas and was flagged for an illegal blindside block during a first-quarter kickoff return. The penalty was enforced for seven yards. He is still involved on special teams but is waiting for a larger opportunity on defense.
Baltimore Ravens (3-1) vs Tennessee Titans (0-4) [24-18]
Ravens
[#13] WR Elijah Sarratt (2024-25) [WR6/PR2]
Veteran receiver Chris Moore was inactive for Sunday’s contest, opening a spot for Sarratt. Sarratt finished his afternoon by reeling in one reception on two targets for 13 yards and a first down. The reception marked the first regular-season catch of Sarratt’s young NFL career.
It came from Lamar Jackson with 24 seconds remaining in the first half, moving Baltimore to Tennessee’s 41-yard line. Jackson targeted him again on the next play, but the pass was incomplete. His first-down reception helped the Ravens move into position for a field goal that extended their lead to 24-7 before halftime.
Sarratt was called for offensive holding earlier in the second quarter, which took away part of a 29-yard scramble by Jackson. After some uncertainty about where he fits on the roster to start the season, Sarratt filled in during Moore’s absence and recorded his first NFL catch. Hopefully he can be a little more involved in the coming weeks.
Titans
[#79] C Pat Coogan (2025) [C2]
While Coogan is the backup center, it was an interesting practice week. Starting right guard Fernando Carmona and backup Jackson Slater were both placed on injured reserve. Coogan was one of the options Tennessee could consider at right guard. However, the Titans ultimately started Atonio Mafi there. Coogan dressed for the game and appeared on special teams, but his role on offense remained limited.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) vs Cleveland Browns (3-1) [24-27]
Steelers
[#37] FB Riley Nowakowski (2025) [FB1]
The Steelers had their matchup against the Browns on Thursday night. Nowakowski did not record a carry or reception in Pittsburgh’s 27-24 loss. He continues to contribute on special teams, but the young fullback hasn’t had much of a chance to show his talent on offense yet.
Indianapolis Colts (2-2) vs Washington Commanders (1-3) [30-13]
Colts
[#12] WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (2015-19) [Game Day Elevation]
With Keenan Allen ruled out with a groin injury, the Colts elevated Nick Westbrook-Ikhine to the active roster for the second straight week. This wasn’t a permanent promotion, so he was set to revert to the practice squad after the game. Westbrook-Ikhine appeared in the Colts’ 30-13 regular-season win over the Commanders in London but did not record a reception. Even without a catch, the consecutive elevations have given him chances to get back on the field.
New York Giants (3-1) vs Arizona Cardinals (1-3) [36-24]
Giants
[#41] MLB Micah McFadden (2018-21) [MLB2]
McFadden was active this week and was named one of New York’s four gameday captains, along with D.J. Reader, Jermaine Eluemunor and Cam Skattebo. Tremaine Edmunds and Arvell Reese remain the starting inside linebackers, leaving McFadden in a reserve role. He continues to provide linebacker depth and contribute on special teams.
[#43] S Raheem Layne (2017-21) [Practice Squad]
Layne remained on New York’s practice squad and was not elevated. The Giants elevated outside linebacker Trace Ford, while Layne’s roster status remained unchanged.
Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1) [17-22]
Bengals
[#12] WR Ke’Shawn Williams (2024) [Practice Squad]
Some unfortunate news for the former Hoosier from the 2024 squad: Cincinnati waived Williams on September 29 after a difficult Week 3 game against the Steelers, including a muffed punt. After clearing waivers, he signed with the Bengals’ practice squad on September 30. Williams will keep working for the chance to get back on the field.
Free Agents
- S Devan Boykin (2025): Waived by Pittsburgh during final roster cuts.
- Received a workout with Seattle on Sept 15
- WR E.J. Williams Jr. (2023-25): Waived by Las Vegas during final roster cuts. `
- Signed to Carolina practice squad on Sept 17.
- Waived by Carolina on Sept 22.
- WR Jonathan Brady (2025): Waived by Las Vegas on July 27
- OT Trey Wedig (2024): Waived by Indianapolis during final roster cuts.
- S Louis Moore (2022-23, 2025): Waived by Miami during final roster cuts.
- TE Zach Horton (2024): Waived by Detroit during final roster cuts.
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