After a disappointing Saturday in Bloomington, Hoosier fans are in need of some good news, and the Hoosiers in the NFL bring some of that excitement. Week 6 of the NFL wasn’t as chaotic as Week 7 of college football but was definitely an interesting one.
Indiana’s other first-round draft pick, Omar Cooper Jr., was activated from injured reserve by the Jets, and he had himself a game, scoring his first NFL touchdown and recording his first 100-yard game. In other good news, Kaelon Black welcomed a child on his 25th birthday. That and other exciting news about Hoosiers across the NFL starts here.
Jump to a Matchup
Jets vs. Patriots | Raiders vs. Bills
Chiefs vs. Chargers | 49ers vs. Commanders
Texans vs. Jaguars | Ravens vs. Browns
Steelers vs. Buccaneers | Giants vs. Saints
Titans vs. Colts | Vikings (Bye)
Bengals (Bye) | Free Agents
New York Jets vs New England Patriots [19-26]
Jets
[#11] WR Omar Cooper Jr. (2022-25) [WR3/Slot]
After several weeks on the injured reserve list, the Jets activated Omar Cooper for their Week 6 matchup against the Patriots, and he had a monster of a day. In his second NFL game, Cooper caught six of his seven targets for 103 yards and a touchdown. He led the Jets in targets, catches, and receiving yards. According to PFF, he logged 51 offensive snaps, the second most among Jets receivers behind Garrett Wilson.
His touchdown came off a 48-yard heave by Geno Smith in the third quarter, cutting New England’s lead to 17-10. He was the only Jets player to score a touchdown in Sunday’s game. Smith praised his ability to make difficult catches, and Cooper said his ankle felt great.
[#23] CB D’Angelo Ponds (2024-25) [NB2]
Ponds participated in Sunday’s game but was limited in his defensive work. He did not record a tackle and was credited with 11 defensive snaps, according to PFF, compared with 37 for starting nickel Jarvis Brownlee Jr. PFF also credited him with one quarterback hurry on two pass rushes and two completions allowed on three targets for 48 yards.
[#41] LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball (2016-21) [IR]
McCrary-Ball remained unavailable with an ankle injury he suffered against Green Bay in Week 2. The Jets placed him on injured reserve on September 22, and Sunday marked his fourth missed game. Next week’s game against Miami would be his earliest eligible return, but there has been no announcement of a return to practice. If he is medically cleared and activated, all three Hoosiers on the Jets could finally be available at the same time.
Las Vegas Raiders vs Buffalo Bills [30-33]
Raiders
[#15] QB Fernando Mendoza (2025) [QB2]
Mendoza did not play in the Raiders’ matchup against Buffalo. He was back in his backup role after making his NFL debut last week against the Patriots. Kirk Cousins remains the starting quarterback, and the Raiders have not announced when Mendoza will make his first start.
[#80] TE Ian Thomas (2016-17) [TE2]
In Sunday’s loss against the Bills, Thomas played 14 offensive snaps (21.2%) but didn’t receive a target. PFF credited him with five pass-blocking plays and no pressures allowed on those plays. He’s still behind Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer in the tight end rotation.
[#37] RB Roman Hemby (2025) [Practice Squad]
Hemby reverted to the Raiders’ practice squad on October 12 after being elevated for Week 5, when he was inactive. He was not elevated for Sunday’s game against Buffalo and remains on the practice squad.
Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers [22-6]
Chiefs
[#70] RT Kahlil Benson (2020-23, 2025) [LT1]
Kahlil Benson continues to hold down left tackle for the Chiefs. The undrafted rookie played all 61 offensive snaps, according to PFF, with Josh Simmons still out with a back injury. Benson allowed three pressures on 32 pass-blocking snaps, including a quarterback hit and two hurries, but did not allow a sack.
There are some developments in Benson’s situation, though. Simmons returned to practice this week even though he didn’t play in Sunday’s game. In addition to that, right tackle Jaylon Moore suffered a concussion Sunday, with Joshua Ezeudu replacing him. With Moore’s status uncertain and Simmons potentially returning, Benson could move back to right tackle, where he won the starting job in training camp. The Chiefs have not confirmed how the lineup will look when both Moore and Simmons are healthy.
[#45] LB Cam Jones (2018-22) [Backup LB]
Kansas City signed Jones from the practice squad to the active roster on Monday, October 12. It wasn’t a simple game-day elevation either; the transaction was logged as an active-roster signing. He is currently listed as a backup weakside linebacker behind Jack Cochrane.
He was active for Sunday’s game but did not log a defensive snap. He remains a reserve at linebacker with a role on special teams.
San Francisco 49ers vs Washington Commanders [23-17]
49ers
[#26] RB Kaelon Black (2024-25) [RB2]
In his first Monday Night Football appearance, Kaelon Black looked tough in the 49ers’ 23–17 win over Washington. He had eight carries for 34 yards (4.3 yards per carry), with his longest run of the night going for nine yards. He also caught his only target for three yards.
Black played 14 offensive snaps and made a solid contribution in his limited role. His rushing total and carry count were both his second highest of the season, behind his NFL debut against the Rams in Week 1. Through six games, Black has 45 carries for 170 yards, averaging 3.8 yards per carry. He continues to have a small but steady role behind Christian McCaffrey.
It was a big weekend off the field for Kaelon as well. The former Hoosier running back missed Saturday’s practice for the birth of his child on October 17, which happened to be his 25th birthday.
[#99] DT C.J. West (2024) [IR]
West remains on injured reserve and will not play Monday. Before his injury, he started the first two games for San Francisco and recorded five tackles (one solo, four assisted). West had a bone chip in his knee requiring surgery. The injury isn’t expected to end his season, but it requires an extended recovery. A return later in the season would help the 49ers’ push for the No. 1 seed in the NFC, though the team has not announced a firm return date.
[#14] QB Kurtis Rourke (2024) [QB3]
Rourke remains third behind Brock Purdy and Mac Jones and has not made a regular-season appearance in the NFL yet. He’s expected to remain the emergency third quarterback behind Purdy, who is playing at an MVP-caliber level. Even if the 49ers have a comfortable lead on Monday, Jones would likely take the reins to close out the night.
[#59] Edge Mikail Kamara (2024-25) [IR]
Kamara remains on IR following the torn ACL he suffered during training camp. He has not appeared in a regular-season or preseason game, and his preseason placement on injured reserve ended his 2026 season with the 49ers. San Francisco has been hit hard by injuries, but despite all that, the team remains undefeated. Kamara’s outlook remains recovery and preparation for a future opportunity.
Houston Texans vs Jacksonville Jaguars [34-31]
Texans
[#59] LB Aiden Fisher (2024-25) [Backup LB/Special Teams]
Aiden Fisher was waived by the Texans on Saturday, October 17, as Houston activated linebacker Henry To’oTo’o from injured reserve. His next destination remains undecided, but he could return to Houston’s practice squad if he clears waivers.
Baltimore Ravens vs Cleveland Browns [10-13]
Ravens
[#13] WR Elijah Sarratt (2024-25) [WR6/PR2]
Sarratt is healthy but was inactive by coach’s decision for the second consecutive game, so he didn’t record any snaps against Cleveland. Through the first six weeks of the NFL season, Sarratt has appeared in only one regular-season game, catching a pass for 13 yards on 23 offensive snaps.
One new development affecting his opportunity is fellow rookie receiver Ja’Kobi Lane returning from injured reserve and being active for Sunday’s game. Baltimore has not formally announced a demotion for Sarratt, but he’s continuing to compete for playing time.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers [26-19 OT]
Steelers
[#37] FB Riley Nowakowski (2025) [FB1]
Nowakowski was very limited on offense, logging just one snap as a pass protector with no pressure allowed, according to PFF. He did contribute on kickoff coverage, though, and was credited with an assisted tackle to stop Kameron Johnson’s 27-yard kickoff return. He still has a very limited role in Pittsburgh’s offense but is logging valuable plays on special teams.
New York Giants vs New Orleans Saints [27-34]
Giants
[#41] MLB Micah McFadden (2018-21) [MLB2]
Micah McFadden was credited with one assisted tackle Sunday afternoon. However, he did not log a defensive snap, with Arvell Reese and Tremaine Edmunds playing the full game at linebacker. His role continues to center around special teams. He was flagged for an illegal block in the back that wiped out a nice punt return by Charlie Jones.
[#43] S Raheem Layne (2017-21) [Practice Squad]
Layne was not elevated and did not play Sunday. The Giants’ only announced practice-squad elevation for the game was outside linebacker Trace Ford.
Tennessee Titans vs Indianapolis Colts [26-20]
Titans
[#79] C Pat Coogan (2025) [C2]
Coogan remains second at center behind Austin Schlottmann on Tennessee’s depth chart. All five of the Titans’ starting offensive linemen played every offensive snap once again, leaving Coogan without an offensive snap. The Titans pulled out their first win of the season as well, which is good news in an otherwise gloomy season for Tennessee.
Colts
[#12] WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (2015-19) [Practice Squad]
Westbrook-Ikhine reverted to the practice squad on October 12 after his third consecutive elevation. He remains listed there and was not elevated for Week 6. Having used his three standard elevations, he would need to be signed to the Colts’ 53-man roster to play for them again. Another team could also sign him directly from Indianapolis’ practice squad to its active roster.
Minnesota Vikings [Bye]
Vikings
[#4] WR Myles Price (2024) [WR4/KR1/PR1]
The Vikings were on bye this week, with Price carrying a very productive return résumé and a small but developing role on offense. Through his first five games, he has 744 total return yards. After Sunday’s games, he ranks fourth in kickoff return yards and first in punt return yards. He is also the only player to return a kick or punt for a touchdown this season.
Cincinnati Bengals [Bye]
Bengals
[#12] WR Ke’Shawn Williams (2024) [Practice Squad]
Williams remains on the Bengals’ practice squad during their bye week. His immediate path to playing time is through another elevation or a roster opening.
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
- Signed a CFL future contract with the Montreal Alouettes on October 5; the deal begins after the 2026 season.
- 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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