#FromStateToSundays: Week 5 Update
October 11, 2022 | Football
STARKVILLE – Week 5 of NFL action is in the books and it was another defining week for former Mississippi State players.
Once again, former Bulldog defensive standouts shined by racking up 43 tackles, 6.5 sacks and a game-clinching forced fumble and recovery.
The Tennessee Titans-Washington Commanders matchup on Sunday afternoon feature 4.5 of the sack total for former MSU players. Sweat led the charge for the Commanders with two sacks, marking the third time the former first round pick has produced multiple sacks in the same game.
Not to be outdone, the Titans' defensive line duo of Jeffery Simmons and Denico Autry also got to the quarterback. Simmons stacked up 1.5 sacks and now has 17 for his career while Autry added a sack as well, bringing his career total to 43.5.
New Orleans Saints safety J.T. Gray recorded the first solo sack of his career. Gray previously recorded a half-sack during Week 3 and has already played more defensive snaps this season than any of his two previous seasons with the Saints.
Preston Smith provided a sack for the Green Bay Packers and recorded at least a half-sack in three of five games this year. Smith has 3.5 sacks on the season and 53 for his career.
Cornerback Cameron Dantzler not only led Minnesota with eight tackles but made a game-sealing strip of Ihmir Smith-Marsette with 1:01 remaining to preserve the Vikings' 29-22 victory over the Chicago Bears.
It was the third career forced fumble for Dantzler and his second recovery.
Rookie cornerback Martin Emerson totaled three tackles for the Cleveland Browns and broke up a pass on 4th-and-1 to force a turnover on downs with 1:10 left in the game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Fellow rookie, Charles Cross, highlighted a strong showing by former Bulldog offensive linemen as well during Week 5. Cross received a career-best 78.9 pass blocking grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF) while Seattle teammate Gabe Jackson posted a season-best pass blocking grade of 83.9, marking the 36th time in his career for him to receive a pass blocking grade of 80 or better.
Green Bay's Elgton Jenkins also fared well in the trenches. He prevented any pressure from reaching Aaron Rodgers and posted season-highs in overall offense (85.7), run blocking (84.9) and pass blocking (82.6).
Logan Cooke continued his stellar punting for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Cooke punted three times for a 53-yard average, including a season-best 62 yarder. His career net punting average of 43.1 is the highest in NFL history since the stat began being tracked in 1976.
JOHNATHAN ABRAM | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – S | AT MSU: 2017-18
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 24 TKL, 8 AST, 32 TT, 2 QBH, 1 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 3 TT, 1 QBH at Kansas City Chiefs (L, 29-30)
DENICO AUTRY | TENNESSEE TITANS – DT/DE | AT MSU: 2012-13
Season: 5 G, 2 GS, 6 TKL, 6 AST, 12 TT, 4.0 SK, 3.0 TFL, 7 QBH, 1 PD, 1 FF
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 3 AST, 4 TT, 1.0 SK, 1.0 TFL, 1 QBH at Washington Commanders (W, 21-17)
Season: 5 G, 15 Punts, 753 YDS, 50.2 AVG, LONG 62, 1 TB, 4 In-20, 44.7 NET AVG
Last Week: 3 Punts, 159 YDS, 53.0 AVG, LONG 62, 48.7 NET AVG vs. Houston Texans (L, 6-13)
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 3 TKL, 6 AST, 9 TT, 3.0 SK, 1 TFL, 7 QBH, 1 FF, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 QBH at Arizona Cardinals (W, 20-17)
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 11 Pressures Allowed, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 Pressures Allowed at New Orleans Saints (L, 32-39)
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 28 TKL, 2 AST, 30 TT, 2.0 TFL, 4 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 7 TKL, 1 AST, 8 TT, 1 FF, 1 FR vs. Chicago Bears (W, 29-22)
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at New Orleans Saints (L, 32-39)
MARTIN EMERSON JR. | CLEVELAND BROWNS – CB | AT MSU: 2019-21
Season: 5 G, 16 TKL, 1 AST, 17 TT, 2 PD
Last Week: 3 TKL, 3 TT, 1 PD vs. Los Angeles Chargers (L, 28-30)
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 8 TKL, 8 AST, 16 TT, 2.0 TFL, 1 QBH, 2 PD
Last Week: DNP vs. Las Vegas Raider (W, 30-29)
J.T. GRAY | NEW ORLEANS SAINTS – DB | AT MSU: 2014-17
Season: 5 G, 1 TKL, 2 AST, 3 TT, 1.5 SK, 1 QBH, 6 ST TKL
Last Week: 1 G, 1 TKL, 1 TT, 1.0 SK vs. Seattle Seahawks (W, 39-32)
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Washington Commanders (W, 21-17)
KYLIN HILL | GREEN BAY PACKERS – RB | AT MSU: 2017-20
Season: Activated from the physically unable to participate list prior to Week 5
Last Week: DNP vs. New York Giants (L, 22-27)
GABE JACKSON | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – OG | AT MSU 2009-13
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 14 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 0 Pressures Allowed at New Orleans Saints (L, 32-39)
Season: 4 G, 4 GS, 9 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 0 Pressures Allowed vs. New York Giants (L, 22-27)
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 6 TKL, 1 AST, 7 TT, 2.0 SK, 4.0 TFL, 6 QBH, 2 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 QBH vs. Las Vegas Raiders (W, 30-29)
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. New York Giants (L, 22-27)
TYRE PHILLIPS | NEW YORK GIANTS – OG | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: DNP
Last Week: DNP at Green Bay Packers (W, 27-22)
MAKAI POLK (PS) | NEW YORK GIANTS – WR | AT MSU: 2021
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Green Bay Packers (W, 27-22)
DAK PRESCOTT | DALLAS COWBOYS – QB | AT MSU: 2011-2015
Season: 1 G, 1 GS, 14-29, 134 YDS, 47.2 QBR, 2 RUSH, 11 YDS, LONG 12
Last Week: DNP at Los Angeles Rams (W, 22-10)
JEFFERY SIMMONS | TENNESSEE TITANS – DL | AT MSU: 2016-18
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 8 TKL, 9 AST, 17 TT, 3.5 SK, 2.0 TFL, 6 QBH, 3 PD, 1 FF
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 2 AST, 5 TT, 1.5 SK, 3 QBH, 1 PD at Washington Commanders (W, 21-17)
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 12 TKL, 4 AST, 16 TT, 2 IN, 5 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 7 TKL, 2 AST, 9 TT at Arizona Cardinals (W, 20-17)
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 10 TKL, 7 AST, 17 TT, 3.5 SK, 3.0 TFL, 9 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 1 AST, 4 TT, 1.0 SK, 1 TFL, 3 QBH vs. New York Giants (L, 22-27)
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 12 TKL, 3 AST, 15 TT, 2.0 SK, 4.0 TFL, 9 QBH, 2 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 5 TKL, 1 AST, 6 TT, 2.0 SK, 3.0 TFL, 4 QBH vs. Tennessee Titans (L, 17-21)
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Houston Texans (L, 6-13)
ISAIAH ZUBER (PS) | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – WR | AT MSU: 2019
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Kansas City Chiefs (L, 29-30)
Once again, former Bulldog defensive standouts shined by racking up 43 tackles, 6.5 sacks and a game-clinching forced fumble and recovery.
The Tennessee Titans-Washington Commanders matchup on Sunday afternoon feature 4.5 of the sack total for former MSU players. Sweat led the charge for the Commanders with two sacks, marking the third time the former first round pick has produced multiple sacks in the same game.
We see you @_sweat9 😈
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 9, 2022
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/QNCM9ooVDe
Not to be outdone, the Titans' defensive line duo of Jeffery Simmons and Denico Autry also got to the quarterback. Simmons stacked up 1.5 sacks and now has 17 for his career while Autry added a sack as well, bringing his career total to 43.5.
New Orleans Saints safety J.T. Gray recorded the first solo sack of his career. Gray previously recorded a half-sack during Week 3 and has already played more defensive snaps this season than any of his two previous seasons with the Saints.
Denico Autry is a PROBLEM 😈
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) October 9, 2022
📺: Watch #TENvsWAS on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/kmvyZvKBQz
Preston Smith provided a sack for the Green Bay Packers and recorded at least a half-sack in three of five games this year. Smith has 3.5 sacks on the season and 53 for his career.
Cornerback Cameron Dantzler not only led Minnesota with eight tackles but made a game-sealing strip of Ihmir Smith-Marsette with 1:01 remaining to preserve the Vikings' 29-22 victory over the Chicago Bears.
It was the third career forced fumble for Dantzler and his second recovery.
This play by Cam Dantzler just won the game for the Vikings 🔥
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 9, 2022
(via @nfl)pic.twitter.com/OnLjgTUpec
Rookie cornerback Martin Emerson totaled three tackles for the Cleveland Browns and broke up a pass on 4th-and-1 to force a turnover on downs with 1:10 left in the game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Fellow rookie, Charles Cross, highlighted a strong showing by former Bulldog offensive linemen as well during Week 5. Cross received a career-best 78.9 pass blocking grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF) while Seattle teammate Gabe Jackson posted a season-best pass blocking grade of 83.9, marking the 36th time in his career for him to receive a pass blocking grade of 80 or better.
MJ gives us a chance 👏@budlight | #BudLightCelly pic.twitter.com/FNAqxtT1YP
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 9, 2022
Green Bay's Elgton Jenkins also fared well in the trenches. He prevented any pressure from reaching Aaron Rodgers and posted season-highs in overall offense (85.7), run blocking (84.9) and pass blocking (82.6).
Logan Cooke continued his stellar punting for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Cooke punted three times for a 53-yard average, including a season-best 62 yarder. His career net punting average of 43.1 is the highest in NFL history since the stat began being tracked in 1976.
.@PrestonSmith94 with the SACK! 😤 #NYGvsGB | #GoPackGo
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 9, 2022
📺 NFLN pic.twitter.com/ukyYwKCgZQ
JOHNATHAN ABRAM | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – S | AT MSU: 2017-18
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 24 TKL, 8 AST, 32 TT, 2 QBH, 1 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 3 TT, 1 QBH at Kansas City Chiefs (L, 29-30)
DENICO AUTRY | TENNESSEE TITANS – DT/DE | AT MSU: 2012-13
Season: 5 G, 2 GS, 6 TKL, 6 AST, 12 TT, 4.0 SK, 3.0 TFL, 7 QBH, 1 PD, 1 FF
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 3 AST, 4 TT, 1.0 SK, 1.0 TFL, 1 QBH at Washington Commanders (W, 21-17)
- Recorded a nine-yard sack on third down in the fourth quarter to force a punt and preserve a four-point lead
- Now has 43.5 career sacks
- Part of a Titans defense that has allowed just one third-down conversion in consecutive games
Season: 5 G, 15 Punts, 753 YDS, 50.2 AVG, LONG 62, 1 TB, 4 In-20, 44.7 NET AVG
Last Week: 3 Punts, 159 YDS, 53.0 AVG, LONG 62, 48.7 NET AVG vs. Houston Texans (L, 6-13)
- Since net punting average began being tracked in 1976, his 43.1 career net punting average is the highest in NFL history (min. 250 punts)
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 3 TKL, 6 AST, 9 TT, 3.0 SK, 1 TFL, 7 QBH, 1 FF, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 QBH at Arizona Cardinals (W, 20-17)
- Part of the NFL's last remaining undefeated team as the Eagles are 5-0 for the first time since 2004 and the third time in franchise history
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 11 Pressures Allowed, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 Pressures Allowed at New Orleans Saints (L, 32-39)
- Turned in a career-high 78.9 pass blocking grade per PFF
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 28 TKL, 2 AST, 30 TT, 2.0 TFL, 4 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 7 TKL, 1 AST, 8 TT, 1 FF, 1 FR vs. Chicago Bears (W, 29-22)
- Posted a 90.7 coverage grade per PFF which ranked fourth in the NFL in Week 5
- Led the Vikings in total tackles
- Stripped the ball on the Bears final drive with 1:01 remaining in the game to preserve a seven-point lead
- It was his third career forced fumble and second recovery
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at New Orleans Saints (L, 32-39)
MARTIN EMERSON JR. | CLEVELAND BROWNS – CB | AT MSU: 2019-21
Season: 5 G, 16 TKL, 1 AST, 17 TT, 2 PD
Last Week: 3 TKL, 3 TT, 1 PD vs. Los Angeles Chargers (L, 28-30)
- Broke up a pass on 4th-and-1 to force a turnover on downs with 1:10 left in the game
Season: 2 G, 2 GS, 8 TKL, 8 AST, 16 TT, 2.0 TFL, 1 QBH, 2 PD
Last Week: DNP vs. Las Vegas Raider (W, 30-29)
J.T. GRAY | NEW ORLEANS SAINTS – DB | AT MSU: 2014-17
Season: 5 G, 1 TKL, 2 AST, 3 TT, 1.5 SK, 1 QBH, 6 ST TKL
Last Week: 1 G, 1 TKL, 1 TT, 1.0 SK vs. Seattle Seahawks (W, 39-32)
- Recorded the first solo sack of his career
- Tied with fellow Bulldog Chris Jones for the NFL's No. 7 pass rush grade in Week 5 per PFF (90.9)
- Season pass rush grade (90.9) ranks seventh in the league
- Has already played more defensive snaps this season than in each of his first two campaigns while remaining an active piece of New Orleans' special teams units
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Washington Commanders (W, 21-17)
KYLIN HILL | GREEN BAY PACKERS – RB | AT MSU: 2017-20
Season: Activated from the physically unable to participate list prior to Week 5
Last Week: DNP vs. New York Giants (L, 22-27)
GABE JACKSON | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – OG | AT MSU 2009-13
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 14 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 0 Pressures Allowed at New Orleans Saints (L, 32-39)
- Turned in an 83.9 pass blocking grade per PFF, which was Seattle's second highest mark
- Pass blocking grade was a season high for the second straight week
- Game was the 36th of his career with a pass blocking grade of 80.0 or better
Season: 4 G, 4 GS, 9 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 0 Pressures Allowed vs. New York Giants (L, 22-27)
- Kept a clean pocket per PFF and posted season high grades in overall offense (85.7), run blocking (84.9) and pass blocking (82.6)
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 6 TKL, 1 AST, 7 TT, 2.0 SK, 4.0 TFL, 6 QBH, 2 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 QBH vs. Las Vegas Raiders (W, 30-29)
- Leading the NFL in overall defensive grade (91.9) this season per PFF
- Tied with fellow Bulldog J.T. Gray for the NFL's No. 7 pass rush grade in Week 5 per PFF (90.9)
- Season pass rush grade (90.6) stands eighth in the league
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. New York Giants (L, 22-27)
TYRE PHILLIPS | NEW YORK GIANTS – OG | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: DNP
Last Week: DNP at Green Bay Packers (W, 27-22)
MAKAI POLK (PS) | NEW YORK GIANTS – WR | AT MSU: 2021
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Green Bay Packers (W, 27-22)
DAK PRESCOTT | DALLAS COWBOYS – QB | AT MSU: 2011-2015
Season: 1 G, 1 GS, 14-29, 134 YDS, 47.2 QBR, 2 RUSH, 11 YDS, LONG 12
Last Week: DNP at Los Angeles Rams (W, 22-10)
JEFFERY SIMMONS | TENNESSEE TITANS – DL | AT MSU: 2016-18
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 8 TKL, 9 AST, 17 TT, 3.5 SK, 2.0 TFL, 6 QBH, 3 PD, 1 FF
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 2 AST, 5 TT, 1.5 SK, 3 QBH, 1 PD at Washington Commanders (W, 21-17)
- Credited with a sack when he dropped the quarterback for no gain in the second quarter
- Split an eight-yard sack in the fourth quarter
- Increased his career total to 17 sacks
- Part of a Titans defense that has allowed just one third-down conversion in consecutive games
- 90.7 pass rush grade per PFF ranked 10th in the NFL in Week 5 and his 87.6 overall grade was second on the Titans
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 12 TKL, 4 AST, 16 TT, 2 IN, 5 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 7 TKL, 2 AST, 9 TT at Arizona Cardinals (W, 20-17)
- Part of the NFL's last remaining undefeated team as the Eagles are 5-0 for the first time since 2004 and the third time in franchise history
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 10 TKL, 7 AST, 17 TT, 3.5 SK, 3.0 TFL, 9 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 1 AST, 4 TT, 1.0 SK, 1 TFL, 3 QBH vs. New York Giants (L, 22-27)
- Recorded a sack for a loss of four yards
- All four tackles were within two yards of the line of scrimmage or for a loss
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 12 TKL, 3 AST, 15 TT, 2.0 SK, 4.0 TFL, 9 QBH, 2 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 5 TKL, 1 AST, 6 TT, 2.0 SK, 3.0 TFL, 4 QBH vs. Tennessee Titans (L, 17-21)
- Turned in the NFL's No. 7 run defense grade in Week 5 per PFF (82.2)
- Recorded two sacks as Washington recorded five as a team, the Commanders' highest total since 2020
- Posted his third-career multi-sack game and first since Oct. 25, 2020, against Dallas
- Marked the second time he recorded 2.0 sacks in the first half of a game since Dec. 29, 2019, also against Dallas
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Houston Texans (L, 6-13)
ISAIAH ZUBER (PS) | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – WR | AT MSU: 2019
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Kansas City Chiefs (L, 29-30)
Players Mentioned
OL
/ Football
CB
/ FootballFOOTBALL | 2026 Spring Practice Media Session - Jeff Lebby
Thursday, April 16
FOOTBALL | 2026 Spring Practice Media Session - Kamario Taylor
Saturday, April 11
FOOTBALL | 2026 Spring Practice Media Session - Kelley Jones
Saturday, April 11
FOOTBALL | 2026 Spring Practice Media Session - Jeff Lebby
Saturday, April 11