Gators in the NFL- Week 17 Update
Monday, January 2, 2012 | Football
28 former Gators were active for the final week of the 2011-12 NFL regular season. Of those 28, 19 started for their respective teams. Percy Harvin, Aaron Hernandez and Rex Grossman all found the end zone during the regular season finale. The NFL Playoffs will kickoff next weekend with Wild Card Weekend. Five of the eight teams participating next weekend have a former Gator on their roster.
ATLANTA FALCONS
• Mike Peterson- Placed on Injured Reserve with a triceps injury
BUFFALO BILLS
• Andra Davis- Made one tackle for a loss during week 17
• David Nelson- hauled in two passes for 23 yards
CHICAGO BEARS
• Major Wright- Started at FS and was second on the team with nine tackles and one pass defended
CINCINNATI BENGALS
• Andre Caldwell- Placed on Injured Reserve with a groin/abdominal injury
• Carlos Dunlap- Collected six tackles, a half sack and one QB hurry
• Reggie Nelson- Started at FS and had two tackles. The Bengals will take on the Texans at Houston next Saturday, January 7, at 4:30 p.m. ET for the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs
CLEVELAND BROWNS
• Joe Haden- Started at CB and registered four tackles along with a fumble recovery
DENVER BRONCOS
• Derrick Harvey- Was not active week 17
• Tim Tebow- Received the start at QB. Tebow threw for 60 yards, no touchdowns and one interception on six-for-22 passing. Tebow also ran six times for 16 yards
• Marcus Thomas- Started at DT and recorded three tackles, including one for a loss. The Broncos will host the Steelers next Sunday, January 8, at 4:30 p.m. ET for the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
• Jeremy Mincey- Started at DE and notched five tackles, two and a half sacks, two forced fumbles and one QB hurry
MIAMI DOLPHINS
• Mike Pouncey- Started at C against the New York Jets. It was his 16th consecutive start to begin his career.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
• Percy Harvin- Started at WR at caught 10 passes for 115 yards and carried the ball five times for 13 yards and one touchdown against the Chicago Bears
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
• Jermaine Cunningham- Placed on Injured Reserve with a leg injury
• Aaron Hernandez- Started at TE and caught seven balls for 138 yards and one touchdown in a win over the Bills. Hernandez also had two rushes for 26 yards
• Brandon Spikes- Tallied three tackles during week 17
• Gerard Warren- Was active but did not record a stat
NEW YORK GIANTS
• Justin Trattou- Was not active against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. The Giants will host the Falcons next Sunday, January 8, at 1 p.m. ET for the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs
OAKLAND RAIDERS
• Cooper Carlisle- Started at RG in week 17. Carlisle now has 117 career starts
• Jarvis Moss- Collected two tackles during the final regular season game
• Louis Murphy- Started at WR and had five catches for 72 yards and one carry for 27 yards
• Lito Sheppard- Started at CB and recorded five tackles
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
• Riley Cooper- Recorded one special teams tackle in the season finale
• Chas Henry- Had four punts for 201 yards and a long of 56. Henry landed one punt inside the 20
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
• Marcus Gilbert- Started at RT. Gilbert started 13 of the 14 regular season contests he participated in during his rookie season
• Maurkice Pouncey- Started at C. It was his 30th consecutive regular season start to begin his career
• Max Starks- Started at LT. It was Starks 80th career start. The Steelers will take on the Broncos at Denver next Sunday, January 8, at 4:30 p.m. ET for the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
• Ray McDonald- Started at LDT and registered one tackle
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
• Earnest Graham- Currently on Injured Reserve and will miss the rest of the season with a torn Achilles' tendon
• Ahmad Black- Made three tackles and recovered his first career fumble
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
• Jabar Gaffney- Started at WR and caught a four passes for 28 yards
• Rex Grossman- Started at QB and threw for 256 yards on 22-for-45 passing with one touchdown and one interception
• Maurice Hurt – Started at LG in week 17
