Gators in the NFL update

There were 21 former Gators who saw action in Week 8 in the National Football League, with nine former Gators earning starting positions.

NFL Gator Stats

● DE Alex Brown, Chicago – started and made four tackles, including a sack for a loss of 11 yards, as the Bears defeated the Browns 30-6; leads the Bears with seven tackles-for-loss this season

● OT Cooper Carlisle, Oakland – started at right guard for the Raiders

● LB Channing Crowder, Miami – was not activated due to a shoulder injury for the Dolphins 30-25 win over the New York Jets; fifth on the team with 22 tackles on the season

● ILB Andra Davis, Denver – started and was second on the team with nine tackles, including two tackles-for-loss, a sack and one QB hurry; second on the team with 47 tackles on the season and leads the team with nine tackles-for-loss

● WR Jabar Gaffney, Denver – started and made three receptions for 43 yards; second on the team with 21 catches for 285 yards on the season

● QB Rex Grossman, Houston – did not play against Buffalo; Houston’s record is now 5-3

● WR Percy Harvin, Minnesota – led the Vikings in receiving with 84 yards on five receptions, including a 51-yard touchdown catch; also had kickoff returns of 77 and 48 yards in a 38-26 victory over rival Green Bay; second on the team with 28 catches for 369 yards and three TD this season; leads the NFL with 860 kickoff return yards this season; leads all rookies with 369 yards receiving

● DE Derrick Harvey, Jacksonville – started and made six tackles, two for loss, in the Jaguars 13-30 loss to the Titans; has 23 tackles on the season

● DE Jevon Kearse, Tennessee – was not activated against the Jaguars

● S Marquand Manuel, Detroit – made one tackle in the Lions 10-17 loss to the Rams; third on the Lions with 33 tackles this season

● DE Ray McDonald, San Francisco – sacked Peyton Manning for a loss of 7 yards in the 49ers' 14-18 loss to the Indianapolis Colts; leads the team with three sacks this season

● DE Bobby McCray, New Orleans – played and recorded one QB hurry as the Saints preserved their undefeated record with a 35-27 win over Atlanta

● DE/LB Jarvis Moss, Denver – was not activated for the Bronco’s first loss of the season

● WR Louis Murphy, Oakland – started for the Raiders, having one rush for 12 yards in the 16-24 loss to Sand Diego; leads the Oakland receivers with 16 catches for 232 yards and one touchdown

● CB Reggie Nelson, Jacksonville – started and finished the game with six tackles; third on the Jaguars with 38 tackles this season

● LB Mike Peterson, Atlanta – started for the Falcons, recording seven tackles in a losing effort against the undefeated New Orleans Saints; has 47 tackles on the season, third on the team, including a team-leading four tackles-for-loss

● DT Ian Scott, San Diego – played but did not register any statistics against the Raiders

● CB Lito Sheppard, N.Y. Jets – was not activated due to an injured quadriceps

● LB Brandon Siler, San Diego – was fourth on the team with six tackles in the Chargers' win over Oakland

● DL Marcus Thomas, Denver – had one tackle for the Broncos

● DT Gerard Warren, Oakland – started, but did not record a stat against San Diego

The following players had bye weeks, but will return to action in Week 9:

● Earnest Graham of the Tampa Bay Bucs hosts the Packers in the 1 p.m. game on Fox.

● Cincinnati and Andre Caldwell will play the Ravens at 1 p.m. on CBS.

● Keiwan Ratliff and Max Starks of the 5-2 Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Denver to take on the 6-1 Broncos on Monday Night Football on ESPN at 8:30 p.m.

● Fred Taylor and the Patriots host division rival Miami at 1 p.m. on CBS.