Week 5 of the NFL was filled with a ton of excitement, especially for Indiana football fans. Sunday brought plenty of chaos, but the biggest news was Fernando Mendoza’s regular-season NFL debut. The Heisman winner entered late in the fourth quarter against the Patriots and went 6-for-8 for 48 yards. In addition to Mendoza, Kaelon Black picked up an important first down in the 49ers’ win over the Seahawks, and Myles Price continued to look great as a returner but had a costly mistake on offense for the Vikings.
The Chiefs were on bye, but standout rookie Kahlil Benson still had some big personal news to share. There’s also an update on C.J. West’s injury, although it’s not nearly as encouraging as some may have hoped. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s take a look at former Hoosiers across the NFL in Week 5.
Jump to a Matchup
Raiders vs. Patriots | 49ers vs. Seahawks
Vikings vs Saints | Jets vs. Browns
Texans vs. Titans | Ravens vs. Falcons
Steelers vs. Colts | Giants vs. Commanders
Chiefs (Bye) | Bengals vs. Dolphins
Free Agents
Las Vegas Raiders vs New England Patriots [17-45]
Raiders
[#15] QB Fernando Mendoza (2025) [QB2]
There is some really exciting news for Fernando Mendoza and Hoosier fans. The 2025 Heisman-winning quarterback made his regular-season NFL debut! Granted, it came with Las Vegas trailing 45-17, but it happened nonetheless. The first overall pick entered for the Raiders’ final possession, completing six of his eight passes for 48 yards without being sacked.
His first NFL completion went to Dylan Laube for two yards. His next pass went to a fellow Hoosier, as he found tight end Ian Thomas for nine yards on third-and-five to earn his first NFL first down. Mendoza completed his first five passes before the drive stalled in the red zone. On fourth-and-four, he scrambled for three yards and came up just short of the first down.
Head coach Klint Kubiak said he wanted to give Mendoza exposure and praised how he handled it. While Mendoza looked good in his only possession, Kirk Cousins remains the starter.
[#80] TE Ian Thomas (2016-17) [TE2]
Ian Thomas had a pretty big role in Sunday’s game against the Patriots, appearing on 24 offensive snaps (40%). He was targeted once in the loss, catching a nine-yard pass from fellow Hoosier Fernando Mendoza for the rookie’s first NFL first down. Most of Thomas’ workload came without the ball in his hands, and the Raiders looked outmatched against the defending AFC champions.
[#37] RB Roman Hemby (2025) [Game-Day Elevation]
Another Hoosier got a chance to join the Raiders’ game-day roster this week. With Ashton Jeanty questionable because of an ankle/foot injury, Las Vegas elevated Hemby from the practice squad on Saturday, October 10. While it wasn’t a permanent signing to the 53-man roster, it was an encouraging step for the former Hoosier.
However, Hemby did not dress and was inactive for Sunday’s matchup. Jeanty played and received most of the Raiders’ carries, while Dylan Laube also got some work and scored a touchdown. We’ll see what the coming weeks have in store for Hemby.
San Francisco 49ers vs Seattle Seahawks [32-29]
49ers
[#26] RB Kaelon Black (2024-25) [RB2]
Running back Kaelon Black finished with six carries for 16 yards (2.7 yards per carry), with a long of 11 yards. He played 11 offensive snaps, rushing on more than half of them. His late carries helped set up the 49ers’ game-winning field goal. On second-and-seven, Black ran 11 yards for a first down at Seattle’s 33-yard line. He added five yards on his next carry before losing one yard on third-and-one, giving him 15 yards on the winning drive.
“We know what he does, and he runs super hard,” right tackle Colton McKivitz said while discussing the late rushing effort.
The running back continues to run hard, and getting those late carries was encouraging. With Christian McCaffrey as the starter, Black’s opportunities remain limited, but he made an important contribution when the 49ers needed it.
[#99] DT C.J. West (2024) [IR]
C.J. West remained on injured reserve and did not play against Seattle. The 49ers placed him on IR on September 23, but there’s now an update on his injury. On October 8, ESPN’s Nick Wagoner reported that West underwent right knee surgery in September and might not return until late November or early December if his recovery progresses as planned. It’s unfortunate news, but a healthy West could still give San Francisco a boost later in the season.
[#14] QB Kurtis Rourke (2024) [QB3]
Rourke was listed as inactive with the emergency third-quarterback designation against Seattle on Sunday. Brock Purdy started, while Mac Jones remained the backup and also did not play. Rourke remains the third quarterback behind Purdy and Jones.
[IR] Edge Mikail Kamara (2024-25)
There is no new return update for Kamara. He tore his ACL during training camp and remains on injured reserve.
Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints [23-13]
Vikings
[#4] WR Myles Price (2024) [WR4/KR1/PR1]
Price was a big contributor once again. In Sunday’s win against the Saints, the former Hoosier receiver was targeted four times and brought in three receptions for 20 yards.
His biggest positive play of the afternoon was a 43-yard punt return in the second quarter. He finished with two punt returns for 57 yards (28.5 average) and three kickoff returns for 83 yards (27.7 average), with a long of 29 yards.
The costly mistake came late in the third quarter when Martin Emerson Jr. forced Price to fumble after a short reception. Jonas Sanker recovered the ball and returned it 87 yards for a touchdown. The score tied the game at 13 after the Saints missed the extra point. Minnesota responded with a touchdown on its next possession and ended up winning by 10. While the fumble was a tough moment for Price, he still gave the Vikings a spark in the return game.
New York Jets vs Cleveland Browns [17-12]
Jets
[#11] WR Omar Cooper Jr. (2022-25) [IR]
Cooper remained on injured reserve this week and did not play against the Browns. The Jets placed him on IR on September 19 after he injured his ankle in the season opener against the Titans. The good news is that Cooper has now missed the required four games, Weeks 2 through 5, making Week 6 his earliest eligible return. However, there has been no announced return-to-practice window or confirmed return date.
[#23] CB D’Angelo Ponds (2024-25) [NB2]
D’Angelo Ponds was active for Week 5 against the Browns, but his role on defense was very small. He did not record any statistics and played only two defensive snaps, along with nine on special teams. Jarvis Brownlee Jr. returned to the starting lineup and played 59 defensive snaps, leaving Ponds with limited involvement. It was a tough game against the Browns, but the Jets came away with the win. Hopefully, Ponds can continue to expand his role in the coming weeks.
[#41] LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball (2016-21) [IR]
McCrary-Ball remained on injured reserve and did not play in Week 5. He wasn’t placed on IR until September 22, so he must also miss Week 6. Week 7 is his earliest eligible return, but the Jets have not announced whether he will be medically ready by then.
Houston Texans vs Tennessee Titans [26-3]
Texans
[#59] LB Aiden Fisher (2024-25) [Backup LB/Special Teams]
Fisher was on Houston’s official inactive list and did not dress for Sunday’s game. The team did not publicly explain the designation, leaving the rookie without a game appearance this week.
Titans
[#79] C Pat Coogan (2025) [C2]
Coogan was dressed and active for Sunday’s game against the Texans. The official gamebook listed him among Tennessee’s substitutions, but all five starting offensive linemen played every offensive snap. Coogan’s only action came on one special-teams snap.
Baltimore Ravens vs Atlanta Falcons [30-23 OT]
Ravens
[#13] WR Elijah Sarratt (2024-25) [WR6/PR2]
Sarratt was inactive against Atlanta, his third inactive designation of the season. Zay Flowers was active despite entering the game questionable with a foot issue. The Ravens did not announce a new injury for Sarratt or explain his inactive designation, so he finished Week 5 without a game appearance.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Indianapolis Colts [34-22]
Steelers
[#37] FB Riley Nowakowski (2025) [FB1]
Nowakowski had a very limited offensive role in Sunday’s win over the Colts. The fullback played five offensive snaps and had no carries or targets. He also appeared on 18 special-teams snaps and assisted on a kickoff-return tackle in the third quarter. He was flagged for illegal formation on a punt in the first quarter.
Colts
[#12] WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (2015-19) [Game-Day Elevation]
The Colts elevated Westbrook-Ikhine from the practice squad for a third consecutive week. With Darius Slayton (knee) and Ashton Dulin (hamstring) sidelined, there was another opportunity for the wideout, although Keenan Allen was able to play through his groin issue.
Westbrook-Ikhine played seven offensive snaps and 17 on special teams. He received one target, an incomplete deep pass in the second quarter. With his third standard elevation now used, Indianapolis would need to sign him to the 53-man roster for another regular-season appearance. That creates a roster decision to monitor in the coming weeks.
New York Giants vs Washington Commanders [27-27 OT/Tie]
Giants
[#41] MLB Micah McFadden (2018-21) [MLB2]
McFadden had very little involvement in the Giants’ defense this week. The linebacker appeared on two defensive snaps Sunday afternoon and 21 on special teams, without recording a tackle. The Giants’ defense came through at moments with Tremaine Edmunds and Arvell Reese holding down the starting linebacker spots.
[#43] S Raheem Layne (2017-21) [Practice Squad]
Layne remained on the Giants’ practice squad and was not elevated for the Washington game. New York used its Week 5 elevations on wide receiver Dalen Cambre and outside linebacker Trace Ford, so Layne did not appear in the game.
Kansas City Chiefs [Bye]
Chiefs
[#70] RT Kahlil Benson (2020-23, 2025) [LT1]
It was a bye week for the Chiefs, but Benson has been a star to start the season. He has been performing well and looking excellent for a rookie, let alone an undrafted rookie. Benson and his girlfriend, Jayda, also announced some big news: they are expecting their first child. There are big things coming Benson’s way.
[#45] LB Cam Jones (2018-22) [Practice Squad]
Jones remains on Kansas City’s practice squad. There were no new signings, releases or elevations involving him during the bye week.
Cincinnati Bengals vs Miami Dolphins [31-24]
Bengals
[#12] WR Ke’Shawn Williams (2024) [Practice Squad]
Ke’Shawn Williams remains on the Bengals’ practice squad after re-signing on September 30. He was not elevated for Sunday’s win over Miami, so he did not appear in the game. It’ll be interesting to see what the coming weeks have in store for him.
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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