#STATEtoSundays: Week 15 Update
December 16, 2025 | Football
Jeffery Simmons continues to showcase the skillset that has made him a Pro Bowler in three of the past four seasons.
Simmons tied for third on Tennessee's defense with seven tackles to go along with two stops for loss and a strip sack. He also made his presence felt on the other side of the football, catching his second career touchdown pass as well in Week 15.
The former Mississippi State standout became the first NFL player to record a strip sack and also catch a TD pass in the same game since J.J. Watt did so in 2014. Simmons now has new career highs in both sacks (nine) and tackles for loss (14) this season.
It was Simmons' fifth career strip sack and brings his sack total to 40.5, becoming just the fifth player in Titans history to reach that milestone. The Macon native holds Pro Football Focus' (PFF) top pressure grade among interior defenders in 2025 at 90.8. He also has Tennessee's top overall defensive grade this season at 85.2.
Denico Autry added a sack for Houston this past Sunday. The veteran defensive end has 2 ½ sacks in 2025 and now has 64 ½ sacks during his 12-year career. Autry also has the second-highest special teams grade in the NFL this season at 91.9.
Preston Smith provided two solo tackles – one of which went for a loss – for Washington to go along with two pressures and one pass defense. Smith's pressure grade was the third-best on the Commanders last Sunday.
Former Pro Bowler J.T. Gray was activated from Tampa Bay's practice squad prior to last Thursday's game and notched an assisted tackle on special teams. Gray earned the highest special teams grade (73.0) for the Buccaneers during Week 15.
Decamerion Richardson also led Las Vegas' special teams efforts with an assisted tackle and earned a team-best 71.3 grade with that unit.
Dak Prescott continues to lead the league with 3,931 passing yards this year and also tops the NFL in attempts and completions. On Sunday night, Prescott connected on 23 of 38 throws for 294 yards and holds the top offensive grade for Dallas this season at 87.1.
DENICO AUTRYÂ | DE | HOUSTON TEXANSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2012-13
Last Week:Â Autry made one solo tackle, one tackle for loss, one sack and one quarterback hurry in a 40-20 win over the Cardinals.
Season:Â six tackles (four solo, two assists), two tackles for loss, 2 1/2 sacks, four quarterback hurries, one pass defense, two blocked field goals
MARCUS BANKSÂ | S | TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS |Â AT MSU:Â 2022-23
Last Week:Â Banks was on the practice squad for a 29-28 loss to the Falcons.
Season:Â three games played
STONE BLANTONÂ | LB | FREE AGENT |Â AT MSU: 2024
Last Week:Â Blanton was released from the 49ers practice squad on Nov. 26.
Season:Â N/A
LOGAN COOKEÂ | P | JACKSONVILLE JAGUARSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2014-17
Last Week:Â Cooke punted twice for 104 yards (52.0 avg.) with a long of 57 yards in a 48-20 win over the Jets.
Season: Punting – 49 punts for 2,301 yards (47.0 avg.), long 68 Misc. – one solo tackle
CHARLES CROSSÂ | OT | SEATTLE SEAHAWKSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2019-21
Last Week:Â Cross started at left tackle and played 59 offensive snaps and six special teams reps in an 18-16 win over the Colts.
Season:Â 14 games played, 14 starts
JADEN CRUMEDYÂ | DT | CAROLINA PANTEHRS |Â AT MSU: 2018-23
Last Week:Â Crumedy was on the practice squad for a 20-17 loss at the Saints.
Season:Â two assisted tackles
MARTIN EMERSONÂ | CB | CLEVELAND BROWNSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2019-21
Last Week:Â Emerson was on injured reserve for a 31-3 loss at the Bears.
Season:Â Out for the season (torn Achilles)
EMMANUEL FORBESÂ | CB | LOS ANGELES RAMSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2020-22
Last Week:Â Forbes started and tied for second on the team with six tackles (four solo, two assists) and one pass defense in a 41-34 win over the Lions.
Season:Â 39 tackles (27 solo, 12 assists), 15 pass defenses, one forced fumble, three interceptions
WILLIE GAY JR. | LB | MIAMI DOLPHINS | AT MSU: 2017-19
Last Week:Â Gay made one assisted tackle in a 28-15 loss at the Steelers.
Season:Â 14 tackles (seven solo, seven assists), three tackles for loss, two sacks, two quarterback hurries, two pass defenses
J.T. GRAYÂ | S | TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2014-17
Last Week:Â Gray was activated from the practice squad and made one assisted tackle on special teams in a 29-28 loss to the Falcons. He reverted back to the practice squad on Friday.
Season:Â one assisted tackle
ELGTON JENKINSÂ | G/C | GREEN BAY PACKERS |Â AT MSU: 2014-18
Last Week:Â Jenkins was on injured reserve (fractured lower left leg) for a 34-26 loss at the Broncos.
Season:Â nine games played, nine starts
CHRIS JONESÂ | DE | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS |Â AT MSU: 2013-15
Last Week:Â Jones started and made two quarterback hurries in a 16-13 loss to the Chargers.
Season:Â 22 tackles (11 solo, 11 assists), eight tackles for loss, 17 quarterback hurries, four sacks, two pass defenses
TYRE PHILLIPSÂ | OG | CLEVELAND BROWNS |Â AT MSU: 2017-19
Last Week:Â Phillips was on the practice squad for a 31-3 loss at the Bears.
Season:Â N/A
DAK PRESCOTTÂ | QB | DALLAS COWBOYS |Â AT MSU: 2011-15
Last Week:Â Prescott started and completed 23 of 38 passes for 294 yards. He also rushed once for 2 yards in a 34-26 loss to the Vikings.
Season: Passing - 357 of 522, 3,931 yards, 26 touchdowns, 10 interceptions Rushing – 45 carries, 140 yards, two touchdowns Misc. – two solo tackles, three fumble recoveries
DECAMERION RICHARDSONÂ | CB | LAS VEGAS RAIDERSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2020-23
Last Week:Â Richardson made one assisted tackle on special teams in a 31-0 loss at the Eagles.
Season:Â nine tackles (seven solo, two assists)
JEFFERY SIMMONSÂ | DT | TENNESSEE TITANS |Â AT MSU: 2016-18
Last Week:Â Simmons started and tied for third on the team with seven tackles (four solo, three assists), two tackles for loss, one sack, one quarterback hurry and one forced fumble. He also caught a 1-yard touchdown pass in a 37-24 loss at the 49ers.
Season: Defense - 55 tackles (32 solo, 23 assists), 14 tackles for loss, nine sacks, 19 quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, one pass defense Receiving – one catch, 1 yard, one touchdown
DARIUS SLAYÂ | CB | BUFFALO BILLS |Â AT MSU: 2011-12
Last Week:Â Slay was on the reserve/did not report list for a 35-31 win at the Patriots.
Season:Â 36 tackles (28 solo, eight assists), three pass defenses, one fumble recovery, one tackle for loss
PRESTON SMITHÂ | DE | WASHINGTON COMMANDERSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2011-14
Last Week:Â Smith made two solo tackles, one tackle for loss, two quarterback hurries and one pass defense in a 29-21 win at the Giants.
Season:Â 19 tackles (seven solo, 12 assists), five quarterback hurries, two tackles for loss, one pass defense
MONTEZ SWEATÂ | DE | CHICAGO BEARSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2017-18
Last Week:Â Sweat started and made one solo tackle and two quarterback hurries in a 31-3 win over the Browns.
Season:Â 38 tackles (29 solo, nine assists), 12 tackles for loss, six pass defenses, 15 quarterback hurries, 8 1/2 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery
NATHANIEL WATSONÂ | LB | CLEVELAND BROWNSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2018-23
Last Week:Â Watson was on injured reserve for a 31-3 loss at the Bears.
Season:Â Out for the season (bicep)
TYRUS WHEATÂ | DE | DETROIT LIONSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2020-22
Last Week:Â Wheat made one solo tackle on special teams in a 41-34 loss at the Rams.
Season: 13 tackles (five solo, eight assists), one tackle for loss, 1 ½ sacks, two quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, one pass defense
