Gators in NFL update

Former Florida football players are making their mark in the NFL on a weekly basis.

There were 19 former UF players who saw action in week six in the league, with 10 earning starting positions.

A look at each:

DE Alex Brown, Chicago – started an recorded two tackles on a defense that allowed fewer than 70 rushing yards; the Bears lost to the Atlanta Falcons 14-21 despite the defensive effort; leads the team with six tackles-for-loss on the season, including 2.5 sacks

WR Andre Caldwell, Cincinnati – caught a team leading six passes for 57 yards and had five kickoff returns for 85 yards in the loss to the Houston Texans; ranks eighth in the NFL with 431 kickoff return yards; second on the team in receptions (24), receiving yards (238) and receiving touchdowns (2).

OT Cooper Carlisle, Oakland – started at right guard in Oakland’s 13-9 upset win of the Philadelphia Eagles

LB Andra Davis, Denver – started at inside linebacker and recorded five tackles, including one tackle-for-loss, in the Broncos’ 34-23 win over the Chargers; second on the team with 38 tackles

WR Jabar Gaffney, Denver – had one catch for 27 yards in the Broncos’ 34-23 win over the Chargers; second on the team in receptions (18) and receiving yards (242)

RB Earnest Graham, Tampa Bay – had one rush for two yards and recovered a fumble in the Bucs 21-28 loss to the Carolina Panthers

QB Rex Grossman, Houston – DNP

DE Derrick Harvey, Jacksonville – started at defensive end and made four tackles in the Jaguars 23-20 come from behind win over the St. Louis Rams

WR Percy Harvin, Minnesota – caught two passes for 10 yards, ran once for a gain of two and returned four kickoffs for 81 yards to help the Vikings defeat the Ravens 33-31. Currently ranks fifth in the NFL with 518 kick returns yards, while his average of 28.8 yards per kickoff return is the highest in the NFL among players with 15 or more returns. Among rookies, his 20 catches ranks second and 243 yards ranks fourth. He has 14 catches for first downs, ranking second among rookies.

DE Jevon Kearse, Tennessee – was not activated to travel to New England

S Marquand Manuel, Detroit – started at strong safety, making five tackles and one pass deflection in the Lions loss to the Packers; third on the team with 32 tackles

DE Bobby McCray, New Orleans – had two tackles and a two quarterback hurries as the Saints routed the New York Giants 48-27

DE Jarvis Moss, Denver – not active for the Broncos’ 34-23 win over the Chargers

WR Louis Murphy, Oakland – did not record a stat in the Raiders’ 13-9 win over the Eagles. Sprinted to provide three separate blocks over a span of 86 yards for teammate Zach Miller, enabling him to score the Raiders’ only touchdown in the victory over Philadelphia; his 174 receiving yards on the season ranks 10th among rookies; ranks second on the team with 12 receptions and 174 yards

S Reggie Nelson, Jacksonville – started at free safety, leading the Jags with six tackles in their victory over the Rams; fourth on the team with 31 tackles

LB Mike Peterson, Atlanta – started at outside linebacker for the Falcons, recording six tackles, including one sack and two tackles for loss, a quarterback hurry and one pass deflection in the Falcons 21-14 win over the Bears; second on the team with 26 tackles and first on the team with four tackles-for-loss

CB Keiwan Ratliff, Pittsburgh – played but did not record a stat against Cleveland

CB Lito Sheppard, N.Y. Jets – started at right cornerback, registering four tackles and one pass deflection during the Jets’ 13-16 overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills

LB Brandon Siler, San Diego – recorded one tackle playing special teams in the Chargers’ 34-23 loss to Denver

OT Max Starks, Pittsburgh – started at left tackle in the Steelers 27-14 win over the Browns; was injured late in the first quarter

RB Fred Taylor, New England – sat out week six due to an ankle injury; ranks 19th in the NFL with a 4.5 yards per carry average this season and tied for 18th with two rushing touchdowns; second on the team with 201 yards on 45 carries

DT Marcus Thomas, Denver – recorded one tackle-for-loss in the Broncos’ 34-23 win over the Chargers

DT Gerard Warren, Oakland – started but did not record a stat against Philadelphia

RB DeShawn Wynn, Green Bay – was not activated due to a knee injury for the Packers 26-0 win over division rival Detroit

The following players had bye weeks:

DE Ray McDonald, San Francisco – travels to play the Houston Texans at 1 pm in Week 7

LB Channing Crowder, Miami – hosts the New Orleans Saints at 4:15 pm Week 7