Nittany Lions In The NFL: Week 5Nittany Lions In The NFL: Week 5

Nittany Lions In The NFL: Week 5

Johnson, Warren stack solid performances at tight end; Nittany Lions-to-Eagles demonstrate versatility By Will Duerksen, student writer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Week Five in the National Football League saw 48 Penn State Football alums populate the rosters of 25 National Football League organizations. This week featured two tight ends turning in impressive performances and two Eagles teammates contributing in multiple ways.

 

New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson practically doubled his production from Week Four, finishing with a season-high six receptions for 33 yards in his first career multi-touchdown game. Additionally, Indianapolis rookie tight end Tyler Warren shined once again in the Colts’ win over Las Vegas, catching four passes for 44 yards, including his first NFL touchdown.

 

Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley found the end zone through the air for the first time in 2025, catching a 47-yard pass in the third quarter of the Eagles’ loss to Denver. He finished the game with 88 total yards (30 rushing and 58 receiving). Barkley’s teammate Jahan Dotson also contributed on two phases, catching a 24-yard pass on offense and returning a punt for 15 yards on special teams.

 

In addition, two other former Nittany Lions made waves in Week Five. Jacksonville wide receiver Parker Washington caught his first receiving touchdown of 2025 in the Jaguars’ win over Kansas City, while Tennessee safety Kevin Winston Jr. played 21 special teams snaps in his NFL debut, a Titans win over Arizona.

 

Here’s how all 48 former Nittany Lions fared in Week 5:

 

Saquon Barkley, RB (2015-17), Philadelphia Eagles 

Broncos 21, Eagles 17 

  • Second season with Philadelphia (eighth in the NFL)
  • Had six carries for 30 yards. Long run of 17 yards.
  • Added three catches on three targets for 58 yards. Long catch was a 47-yard touchdown reception.

 

Ryan Bates, OL (2016-18), Chicago Bears 

BYE 

  • Second season with Chicago (seventh in the NFL)
  • Team on bye this past week

 

Jaquan Brisker, S (2019-21), Chicago Bears 

BYE 

  • Fourth season with Chicago (fourth in the NFL)
  • Team on bye this past week

 

Ji’Ayir Brown, S (2020-22), San Francisco 49ers 

49ers 26, Rams 23 (OT) 

  • Third season with San Francisco (third in the NFL)
  • Recorded one total tackle
  • Played 12 defensive snaps, additional 13 snaps on special teams

 

Abdul Carter, LB (2022-24), New York Giants 

Saints 26, Giants 14 

  • First season with the New York Giants (first in the NFL) 
  • Recorded four combined tackles, one of which was solo
  • Played 46 defensive snaps and two more on special teams

 

Tariq Castro-Fields, CB (2017-21) - Philadelphia Eagles 

Broncos 21, Eagles 17 

  • Second season with Philadelphia (fourth in the NFL) 
  • On injured reserve

 

Dan Chisena, WR (2015-19) - Carolina Panthers 

Panthers 27, Dolphins 24 

  • First season with Carolina (fifth in the NFL) 
  • On practice squad

 

Sean Clifford, QB (2017-22) - Cincinnati Bengals 

Lions 37, Bengals 24 

  • First season with Cincinnati (third in the NFL) 
  • On practice squad

 

Jahan Dotson, WR (2018-21), Philadelphia Eagles 

Broncos 21, Eagles 17 

  • Second season with Philadelphia (fourth in the NFL) 
  • Caught one pass on three targets for 24 yards
  • Had one punt return for 15 yards
  • Recorded 44 offensive snaps and seven snaps on special teams

 

Arnold Ebiketie, LB (2021), Atlanta Falcons 

BYE 

  • Fourth season with Atlanta (fourth in the NFL)
  • Team on bye this past week

 

Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OL (2020-23), New York Jets 

Cowboys 37, Jets 22 

  • Second season with the New York Jets (second in the NFL) 
  • Started all five games to begin the season
  • Played 75 offensive snaps, adding an additional two on special teams

 

Pat Freiermuth, TE (2018-20), Pittsburgh Steelers 

BYE 

  • Fifth season with Pittsburgh (fifth in the NFL)
  • Team on bye this past week

 

Will Fries, OL (2017-20), Minnesota Vikings 

Vikings 21, Browns 17 

  • First season with Minnesota (fifth in the NFL) 
  • Has started all five games at guard
  • Recorded 65 offensive snaps and four on special teams

  

Mike Gesicki, TE (2014-17), Cincinnati Bengals 

Lions 37, Bengals 24 

  • Second season with Cincinnati (seventh in the NFL) 
  • Caught two passes on five targets for 15 yards
  • Played 31 offensive snaps

 

Blake Gillikin, P (2016-19), Arizona Cardinals 

Titans 22, Cardinals 21 

  • Third season with Arizona (sixth in the NFL) 
  • Punted seven times, averaged 52.4 yards
  • Longe punt was 63 yards
  • Landed two punts inside the 20-yard line

 

Kevin Givens, DT (2016-18), San Francisco 49ers 

49ers 26, Rams 23 (OT) 

  • Sixth season with San Francisco (sixth in the NFL) 
  • On injured reserve

 

Chris Godwin, WR (2014-16), Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Buccaneers 38, Seahawks 35 

  • Ninth season with Tampa Bay (ninth in the NFL) 
  • Caught three passes on four targets for 26 yards
  • Recorded 47 offensive snaps

 

Yetur Gross-Matos, DE (2017-19), San Francisco 49ers 

49ers 26, Rams 23 (OT) 

  • Second season with San Francisco (sixth in the NFL) 
  • Had one passed defensed
  • Played 11 defensive snaps

 

Adisa Isaac, DE (2019-23), Baltimore Ravens 

Texans 44, Ravens 10 

  • Second season with Baltimore (second in the NFL) 
  • On injured reserve

 

Coziah Izzard, DT (2020-24), New Orleans Saints 

Saints 26, Giants 14 

  • First season with New Orleans (first in the NFL) 
  • On practice squad

 

Curtis Jacobs, LB (2020-23), Tennessee Titans 

Titans 22, Cardinals 21 

  • Second season with the Tennessee (second in the NFL) 
  • On practice squad after playing Week 4

 

Austin Johnson, DT (2013-15), Jacksonville Jaguars

Jaguars 31, Chiefs 28

  • First season with Jacksonville (ninth in the NFL)
  • Recorded two tackles, including one solo
  • Played 22 combined snaps, including four on special teams

 

Theo Johnson, TE (2020-23), New York Giants 

Saints 26, Giants 14 

  • Second season with the New York Giants (second in the NFL) 
  • Caught six passes on seven targets for 33 yards and two touchdowns
  • Long reception was a 15-yard touchdown
  • Recorded 60 offensive snaps

 

DaQuan Jones, DT (2010-13), Buffalo Bills 

Patriots 23, Bills 20 

  • Fourth season with Buffalo (12th in the NFL) 
  • Recorded two combined tackles
  • Had one quarterback hit
  • Played 44 defensive snaps and seven on special teams

 

Kalen King, CB (2021-23), Carolina Panthers 

Panthers 27, Dolphins 24 

  • First season with Carolina (second in the NFL) 
  • On practice squad

 

Kobe King, LB (2021-24), Minnesota Vikings 

Vikings 21, Browns 17 

  • First season with Minnesota (first in the NFL)
  • Recorded two combined tackles, one of which was solo
  • Played 11 snaps, all on special teams

 

Connor McGovern, OL (2016-18), Buffalo Bills 

Patriots 23, Bills 20 

  • Third season with Buffalo (seventh in the NFL) 
  • Started all five games at center
  • Recorded 68 offensive snaps

 

PJ Mustipher, DT (2018-22), Arizona Cardinals 

Titans 22, Cardinals 21 

  • Second season with Arizona (second in the NFL) 
  • Recorded three combined tackles, all of which were solo tackles
  • Had one tackle for loss
  • Played 21 defensive snaps, additional five on special teams

 

Hunter Nourzad, OL (2022-23), Kansas City Chiefs

Jaguars 31, Chiefs 28

  • Second season with Kansas City (second in the NFL)
  • Inactive in Week 5

 

Amani Oruwariye, CB (2015-18), Baltimore Ravens

Texans 44, Ravens 10 

  • First season with Baltimore (sixth in the NFL) 
  • On practice squad

 

Odafe Oweh, LB (2019-20), Baltimore Ravens/Los Angeles Chargers 

Texans 44, Ravens 10 

  • Fifth season with Baltimore (fifth in the NFL) 
  • Traded to Los Angeles Chargers on October 7.
  • Recorded one combined tackle
  • Played 26 defensive snaps

 

Micah Parsons, DL (2018-19), Green Bay Packers 

BYE 

  • First season with Green Bay (fifth in the NFL)
  • Team on bye this past week

 

Joey Porter Jr., CB (2019-22), Pittsburgh Steelers 

BYE 

  • Third season with Pittsburgh (third in the NFL) 
  • Team on bye this past week

 

Jaylen Reed, S (2021-24), Houston Texans 

Texans 44, Ravens 10 

  • First season with Houston (first in the NFL) 
  • Remains on injured reserve with designation to return 

 

Chop Robinson, LB (2022-23), Miami Dolphins 

Panthers 27, Dolphins 24 

  • Second season with Miami (second in the NFL)
  • Recorded two combined tackles, one of which was solo
  • Had one tackle for loss
  • Played 21 defensive snaps

 

Miles Sanders, RB (2016-18), Dallas Cowboys 

Cowboys 37, Jets 22 

  • First season with Dallas (seventh in the NFL) 
  • Did not play due to injury in Week 5

 

Nick Scott, S (2015-18), Carolina Panthers 

Panthers 27, Dolphins 24 

  • Second season with Carolina (seventh in the NFL) 
  • Recorded five combined tackles, four of which were solo tackles
  • Played 55 defensive snaps, seven on special teams

 

Juice Scruggs, OL (2018-22), Houston Texans 

Texans 44, Ravens 10 

  • Third season with Houston (three in the NFL)
  • Received first start of the season
  • Played 70 offensive snaps, another eight on special teams

 

Chris Stoll, LS (2017-22), Seattle Seahawks 

Buccaneers 38, Seahawks 35 

  • Third season with Seattle (third in the NFL)
  • Played seven snaps, all on special teams 

 

Jordan Stout, P (2019-21), Baltimore Ravens 

Texans 44, Ravens 10 

  • Fourth season with Baltimore (fourth in the NFL) 
  • Punted four times, average of 45.5 yards
  • Long punt of 60 yards
  • One punt inside the 20-yard line

 

Brenton Strange, TE (2019-22), Jacksonville Jaguars

Jaguars 31, Chiefs 28

  • Third season with Jacksonville (third in the NFL)
  • Caught one pass on one target for 22 yards
  • Played 22 offensive snaps

 

Mitchell Tinsley, WR (2022), Cincinnati Bengals 

Lions 37, Bengals 24 

  • First season with Cincinnati (third in the NFL) 
  • Played three offensive snaps and six on special teams

 

Rasheed Walker, OL (2019-21), Green Bay Packers 

BYE 

  • Fifth season with Green Bay (fifth in the NFL) 
  • Team on bye this past week

 

Caedan Wallace, OL (2019-23), New England Patriots 

Patriots 23, Bills 20 

  • Second season with New England (second in the NFL) 
  • Inactive in Week 5

 

Tyler Warren, TE (2020-24), Indianapolis Colts 

Colts 40, Raiders 6 

  • First season with Indianapolis (first in the NFL) 
  • Caught four passes on four targets for 44 yards and a touchdown
  • Long catch was a 19-yard reception
  • Caught a 11-yard touchdown 
  • Recorded 47 offensive snaps
  • Had one passing attempt as well

  

Parker Washington, WR (2020-22), Jacksonville Jaguars

Jaguars 31, Chiefs 28

  • Third season with Jacksonville (third in the NFL)
  • Caught two passes on three targets for 16 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown
  • Returned one punt for -1 yards
  • Played a combined 19 snaps, including four on special teams

 

Kevin Winston Jr., S (2022-24), Tennessee Titans 

Titans 22, Cardinals 21 

  • First season with Tennessee (first in the NFL) 
  • Made first appearance of career after missing first four games with injury
  • Recorded 21 snaps, all on special teams

 

Sal Wormley, OL (2019-24), Jacksonville Jaguars

Jaguars 31, Chiefs 28

  • First season with Jacksonville (first in the NFL) 
  • On practice squad

 

The 2025 Penn State football season is presented by PSECU.