Week 9 of the NFL brought a lot more action for Hoosiers than Week 8. Several standouts returned from the bye week and picked up where they left off. Kaelon Black had his most efficient afternoon as a 49er, averaging 6.4 yards per carry in their win over the Raiders, while Micah McFadden continued to find the ball and make plays for the Giants’ defense. Omar Cooper Jr. got back into the action, leading the Jets in receptions and receiving yards in their loss to the Chiefs.
Some former Hoosiers also got to reunite with college teammates for the second straight week. Mendoza and the Raiders traveled to California to face the 49ers, where the 2025 Heisman winner caught up with his former running back, Kaelon Black. It was an eventful week for the Hoosiers, so let’s look at how the IU alums did in Week 9 of the NFL.
Jump to a Matchup
49ers vs. Raiders | Chiefs vs. Jets
Giants vs Eagles | Vikings vs. Bills
Ravens vs. Jaguars | Colts vs. Cowboys
Bengals vs Falcons | Buccaneers vs Bears
Steelers (Bye) | Titans (Bye) | Free Agents
San Francisco 49ers vs Las Vegas Raiders [38-17]
49ers
[#26] RB Kaelon Black (2024-25) [RB2]
Kaelon Black had the best and most efficient rushing afternoon of his young NFL career. The rookie running back led the team in rushing yards for the second straight game, finishing with a career-high 70 yards on 11 carries and averaging 6.4 yards per carry. His longest run went for 18 yards. According to PFF’s initial postgame data, he gained 56 rushing yards after contact and forced four missed tackles against the Raiders.
The rookie has looked great lately. In his past two outings, Black has run for 133 yards on 23 carries (5.8 avg) and a touchdown. Outrushing Christian McCaffrey in consecutive games as his backup is a pretty impressive feat. Black also returned a kickoff for 31 yards, giving him a return of more than 30 yards in each of his last two games.
The Hoosier alum left with a win and a chance to catch up with some familiar faces. After the game, Black reunited with his 2025 quarterback, Fernando Mendoza. He also got a picture with Mendoza and fellow running back Roman Hemby, who was with the Raiders in street clothes. Black’s other former Indiana quarterback, Kurtis Rourke, is already with him in the 49ers’ locker room.
[#90] DT C.J. West (2024) [IR]
C.J. West unfortunately remains on the 49ers’ injured reserve list. There haven’t been many updates for the Hoosier alum, but head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed his potential return on November 4. Shanahan said the team would hold West out of practice for another week and reassess him the following week. His practice window has not opened, and there is still no announced return date.
If you thought you saw him out there against the Raiders, it was actually a new No. 99. Former 49ers star DeForest Buckner is back with the team that drafted him 10 years ago after spending the past six and a half seasons in Indianapolis. West gave Buckner his old number back without asking for any compensation and has switched to No. 90. With Nick Bosa back in the lineup, West’s eventual return would give San Francisco another reinforcement up front.
[#14] QB Kurtis Rourke (2024) [QB3]
Rourke was inactive for the 49ers’ win over the Raiders, serving as San Francisco’s emergency third quarterback. Brock Purdy completed 17 of 25 passes for 232 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, adding 40 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven carries. Backup Mac Jones also saw time on the team’s closing drive.
[#59] Edge Mikail Kamara (2024-25) [IR]
Kamara remains on IR following his season-ending ACL tear in training camp. There have been no new public announcements about his recovery.
Raiders
[#15] QB Fernando Mendoza (2025) [QB2]
Mendoza dressed as the Raiders’ active backup but did not play against San Francisco. The Raiders are sticking with Kirk Cousins for now. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday that Las Vegas had received no trade inquiries about Cousins and was not interested in dealing him. Mendoza’s time will come, but he is still waiting for his next opportunity.
The matchup featured seven former Hoosiers across the two teams, including players on IR and the practice squad, topping the six in last week’s Raiders–Jets game. Mendoza’s next scheduled matchup with another Hoosier in this series comes in Week 16, when Las Vegas hosts Tennessee on December 27. He’ll have a chance to catch up with Pat Coogan, his center during Indiana’s national championship run.
[#80] TE Ian Thomas (2016-17) [TE3]
Thomas played but received no targets from Kirk Cousins in the Raiders’ trip back to the Bay Area. PFF’s initial postgame data lists him with 11 offensive snaps. Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer handled the Raiders’ tight end targets, leaving Thomas with another quiet afternoon in the passing game.
[#37] RB Roman Hemby (2025) [Practice Squad]
Hemby remains on the Raiders’ practice squad and was not elevated for the game. His only elevation this season came October 10 ahead of the Patriots game, in which he did not play. He reverted to the practice squad afterward. Hemby did get to see fellow running back Kaelon Black following the Raiders’ loss and take a picture with his former teammate.
Kansas City Chiefs vs New York Jets [35-12]
Chiefs
[#70] RT Kahlil Benson (2020-23, 2025) [LT1]
Benson has been having a solid year, especially for an undrafted rookie, but some concerns about his pass protection showed up Sunday despite the Chiefs’ comfortable win. Sports Illustrated’s Chiefs coverage reported that PFF’s first-half tracking charged Benson with three pressures allowed and an 8.6 pass-blocking grade. It was a rough first half for Kansas City’s pass protection in general, with Jets rookie edge rusher David Bailey delivering a scary sack that injured Patrick Mahomes’ throwing elbow. Mahomes returned and finished out the win.
CoreFootball Labs currently lists Benson with an 18.7 pass-blocking grade for the full game, but a much stronger 82.6 run-blocking grade. The site charged him with four pressures and no sacks allowed. He helped the Chiefs rush for 163 yards and three touchdowns as they improved to 6-2. While it wasn’t his best outing in pass protection, Benson will have a chance to bounce back against Atlanta next week.
[#59] LB Aiden Fisher (2024-25) [Practice Squad]
Aiden Fisher remained on the Chiefs’ practice squad and was not elevated for their matchup with the Jets. There hasn’t been much of an update since he joined Kansas City in October after Houston waived him October 17. Fisher will have to keep waiting for his next game-day opportunity.
Jets
[#11] WR Omar Cooper Jr. (2022-25) [WR3/Slot]
While the Jets’ offense struggled in its fourth straight loss, Omar Cooper Jr. had a solid outing. After going untargeted against the Raiders, Cooper led New York in receptions and receiving yards against the Chiefs, hauling in eight of 11 targets for 58 yards. It was the third time he has led the Jets in receiving yards, despite appearing in only five of their nine games and leaving his debut early with an injury.
With Garrett Wilson sidelined by a concussion, Cooper made the most of the extra opportunities. His eight receptions were a career high, and his 11 targets accounted for about 37% of the team’s 30 receiving targets. If he keeps performing well, I think he could work his way into the Offensive Rookie of the Year conversation, although missing four games will make that an uphill climb.
[#23] CB D’Angelo Ponds (2024-25) [NB2]
Ponds was back in the starting lineup at nickel against the Chiefs, even though the Jets’ published depth chart still lists him behind Jarvis Brownlee Jr. The rookie recorded two assisted tackles and was flagged for illegal contact late in the first half. His return to the starting lineup is worth watching, but there is still work to do for Ponds and the Jets’ defense.
[#41] LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball (2016-21) [IR]
McCrary-Ball remains on the Jets’ injured reserve list with an ankle injury. There has been no announcement opening his practice window or activating him, and the former Hoosier still has no public return date.
New York Giants vs Philadelphia Eagles [19-11]
Giants
[#41] MLB Micah McFadden (2018-21) [MLB1]
McFadden had another monstrous performance in his second start of the season at middle linebacker. Against the Eagles, he recorded nine tackles (five solo), a sack, a tackle for loss, two quarterback hits and a fumble recovery. His sack came on Joe Milton III for a 10-yard loss early in the third quarter. He also recovered the fumble forced by Arvell Reese’s strip-sack, giving New York another impact play. His production has been excellent since he stepped in for Tremaine Edmunds, who is on IR.
In his two starts this season, McFadden has totaled 19 tackles (15 solo), a sack and a fumble recovery. He has really stepped up in Edmunds’ absence, and New York’s defense continues to make big plays. With their win over the Eagles, the Giants improved to 5-2-1 and extended their lead in the NFC East.
[#43] S Raheem Layne (2017-21) [Practice Squad]
Layne remains on New York’s practice squad and was not elevated against Philadelphia. He appeared in the Giants’ previous game, against Houston in Week 7, as a standard game-day elevation. That was a temporary move, and he reverted to the practice squad afterward.
Minnesota Vikings vs Buffalo Bills [MNF]
Vikings
[#4] WR Myles Price (2024) [WR4/KR1/PR1]
The Vikings host Buffalo on Monday, November 9, and Price could see an increased role on offense. Minnesota’s usual third receiver, Jauan Jennings, is out with a calf injury, opening the door for additional snaps. Fellow Big Ten alum Tai Felton is also in the mix behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Price remains Minnesota’s top kickoff and punt returner and will be trying to give the Vikings favorable field position.
It would be a fitting night for Price to put on a show against Buffalo. Minnesota is honoring Vikings legend Adrian Peterson, and Price said in a team feature this week that he grew up idolizing the running back. His first football jersey was a Peterson jersey, and he talked about how special it is to play for the same franchise as his childhood favorite.
Baltimore Ravens vs Jacksonville Jaguars [10-33]
Ravens
[#13] WR Elijah Sarratt (2024-25) [Reserve WR/PR2]
Sarratt was inactive once again for the Ravens’ Thursday night loss to Jacksonville. It was his seventh inactive game this season; he also dressed but did not play in Week 2. His only reception remains a 13-yard catch against Tennessee in Week 4.
Baltimore has struggled at quarterback with Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley sidelined, turning to rookie Joe Fagnano out of UConn. The Ravens acquired Jacoby Brissett from Arizona on November 6, giving the offense a veteran option going forward. Will that change Sarratt’s situation? Not necessarily, but a quarterback change gives us something to watch. For now, he is still waiting for another opportunity in a crowded receiver room.
Indianapolis Colts vs Dallas Cowboys [23-27]
Colts
[#12] WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (2015-19) [Practice Squad]
Westbrook-Ikhine remains on Indianapolis’ practice squad and did not play against Dallas. He has already used his three standard game-day elevations, so the Colts would need to sign him to the 53-man roster to use him again in the regular season. No such move has been announced.
Cincinnati Bengals vs Atlanta Falcons [34-17]
Bengals
[#12] WR Ke’Shawn Williams (2024) [Practice Squad]
Williams remains on the Bengals’ practice squad and was not elevated for their game against Atlanta in Madrid, Spain. Cincinnati won 34-17, improving to 6-2 with its fourth consecutive victory. No promotion to the active roster has been announced for Williams.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Colts vs Chicago Bears [24-27]
Buccaneers
[#65] G/C Dan Feeney (2012-16) [C2]
Feeney is listed on Tampa Bay’s depth chart as the backup center behind Graham Barton. He was active but did not play in Sunday night’s loss to Chicago, recording no offensive or special-teams snaps. Feeney previously played for the Bears in 2023, appearing in 16 games with one start, so Sunday was a return to a former team even though he did not enter the game.
Pittsburgh Steelers [Bye]
Steelers
[#37] FB Riley Nowakowski (2025) [FB1]
Nowakowski remains the Steelers’ starting fullback, but his offensive work has mostly come as a situational blocker. Pittsburgh had the week off and returns to action Sunday night, November 15, at Cincinnati.
Through eight games, Nowakowski has logged 32 offensive snaps and 134 special-teams snaps. He has not recorded a rushing attempt or reception and has been targeted once. His role on offense remains limited, with most of his playing time coming on special teams.
Tennessee Titans [Bye]
Titans
[#79] C Pat Coogan (2025) [C2]
Coogan and the Titans are on bye this week, giving the rookie center some extra time to rest. He remains Tennessee’s backup behind Austin Schlottmann. Through eight games, Coogan has logged 25 special-teams snaps and has yet to play on offense.
Titans Wire’s Mark Mihalko suggested this week that Coogan could get a chance in the second half of the season with Schlottmann struggling. Tennessee returns against the 7-2 Jaguars on Sunday, November 15. I could see Coogan getting some late offensive reps if the game gets out of hand, but the Titans have not announced a change at center.
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 (Oct 5). Deal begins after the 2026 season.
- LB Cam Jones (2018-22): Waived by Kansas City on Oct 20
- 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.
- G/T Luke Haggard (2020-22): Waived by Tampa Bay Nov 4 after the Buccaneers claimed Trevor Keegan.
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