#STATEtoSundays: Divisional Playoff Update
January 20, 2026 | Football
After missing a month due to knee and hamstring injuries, Charles Cross returned to anchor Seattle's offensive line at left tackle and now has the Seahawks one win away from the Super Bowl.
Cross posted the second-highest pass blocking grade in the NFL during the Divisional Round, receiving an 85.2 according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). The ninth-overall draft pick from Mississippi State in 2022 logged 36 snaps in a 41-6 rout of San Francisco before leaving with a foot injury.
Awaiting Cross and the Seahawks in the NFC Championship this week will be the Los Angeles Rams and cornerback Emmanuel Forbes. Forbes, also a first round selection, secured one solo tackle in a 20-17 overtime victory at Chicago in the Divisional Round but left the game early on with a shoulder injury.
Former Pro Bowler Montez Sweat made a strip sack in the second quarter and finished with a pair of tackles for the Bears.
A pair of former Bulldogs also appeared in the AFC Divisional Round for Houston. Jo'Quavious "Woody" Marks led the Texans with 17 yards rushing while also adding two catches for 19 yards. Denico Autry also logged 15 defensive snaps and four special teams plays in the 28-16 loss at New England.
DENICO AUTRY | DE | HOUSTON TEXANS | AT MSU: 2012-13
Last Week: Autry saw action for 15 defensive snaps and four special teams plays in a 28-16 loss at the Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round.
Postseason: one assisted tackle, 0.5 sack, two quarterback hurries, two pass defenses
Regular Season: eight tackles (five solo, three assists), three tackles for loss, 3 1/2 sacks, four quarterback hurries, one pass defense, one forced fumble, two blocked field goals
MARCUS BANKS | S | TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | AT MSU: 2022-23
Last Week: Season complete
Season: three games played
STONE BLANTON | LB | FREE AGENT | AT MSU: 2024
Last Week: Blanton was released from the 49ers practice squad on Nov. 26.
Season: N/A
LOGAN COOKE | P | JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | AT MSU: 2014-17
Last Week: Season complete
Postseason: Two punts, 50 yards (50 avg.), long 58
Regular Season: Punting – 60 punts for 2,878 yards (48.0 avg.), long 68 Misc. – one solo tackle
CHARLES CROSS | OT | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | AT MSU: 2019-21
Last Week: Cross started at left tackle and played 36 snaps in a 41-6 win over the 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round.
Postseason: one game, one start
Regular Season: 14 games played, 14 starts
JADEN CRUMEDY | DT | CAROLINA PANTEHRS | AT MSU: 2018-23
Last Week: Season complete
Regular Season: two assisted tackles
MARTIN EMERSON | CB | CLEVELAND BROWNS | AT MSU: 2019-21
Last Week: Season complete.
Season: Missed the 2025 season with a torn Achilles
EMMANUEL FORBES | CB | LOS ANGELES RAMS | AT MSU: 2020-22
Last Week: Forbes made one solo tackle in a 20-17 overtime win at the Bears.
Postseason: seven tackles (four solo, three assists)
Regular Season: 45 tackles (32 solo, 13 assists), 18 pass defenses, one forced fumble, three interceptions
WILLIE GAY JR. | LB | MIAMI DOLPHINS | AT MSU: 2017-19
Last Week: Season complete
Season: 20 tackles (10 solo, 10 assists), three tackles for loss, two sacks, two quarterback hurries, two pass defenses
J.T. GRAY | S | TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | AT MSU: 2014-17
Last Week: Season complete
Season: one assisted tackle
ELGTON JENKINS | G/C | GREEN BAY PACKERS | AT MSU: 2014-18
Last Week: Season complete
Season: nine games played, nine starts
CHRIS JONES | DE | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | AT MSU: 2013-15
Last Week: Season complete
Season: 29 tackles (15 solo, 14 assists), 12 tackles for loss, 24 quarterback hurries, seven sacks, two pass defenses
JO'QUAVIOUS "WOODY" MARKS | RB | HOUSTON TEXANS | AT MSU: 2020-23
Last Week: Marks started and led the team in rushing with 17 yards on 14 carries. He also caught two passes for 19 yards in a 28-16 loss at the Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round.
Postseason: 33 carries, 129 yards, one touchdown
Regular Season: Rushing – 196 carries, 703 yards, two touchdowns Receiving – 24 catches, 208 yards, three touchdowns
TYRE PHILLIPS | OG | CLEVELAND BROWNS | AT MSU: 2017-19
Last Week: Season complete
Season: Phillips spent the season on the Browns' practice squad.
DAK PRESCOTT | QB | DALLAS COWBOYS | AT MSU: 2011-15
Last Week: Season complete
Season: Passing - 404 of 600, 4,552 yards, 30 touchdowns, 10 interceptions Rushing – 53 carries, 177 yards, two touchdowns Misc. – two solo tackles, three fumble recoveries
DECAMERION RICHARDSON | CB | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | AT MSU: 2020-23
Last Week: Season complete
Season: 11 tackles (nine solo, two assists)
JEFFERY SIMMONS | DT | TENNESSEE TITANS | AT MSU: 2016-18
Last Week: Season complete
Season: Defense - 67 tackles (39 solo, 28 assists), 18 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 21 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, three pass defenses, one safety Receiving – one catch, 1 yard, one touchdown
DARIUS SLAY | CB | BUFFALO BILLS | AT MSU: 2011-12
Last Week: Slay was on the reserve/did not report list for a 33-30 overtime loss at the Broncos.
Regular Season: 36 tackles (28 solo, eight assists), three pass defenses, one fumble recovery, one tackle for loss
PRESTON SMITH | DE | WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | AT MSU: 2011-14
Last Week: Season complete
Season: 24 tackles (eight solo, 16 assists), six quarterback hurries, two tackles for loss, one pass defense, 0.5 sack
MONTEZ SWEAT | DE | CHICAGO BEARS | AT MSU: 2017-18
Last Week: Sweat started and made two solo tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, one quarterback hurry and one forced fumble in a 20-17 overtime loss to the Rams.
Postseason: five tackles (two solo, three assists), four quarterback hurries, one pass defense, one sack, one forced fumble
Regular Season: 52 tackles (37 solo, 15 assists), 13 tackles for loss, seven pass defenses, 17 quarterback hurries, 10 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery
NATHANIEL WATSON | LB | CLEVELAND BROWNS | AT MSU: 2018-23
Last Week: Season complete
Season: Watson missed the 2025 season due to a bicep injury.
TYRUS WHEAT | DE | DETROIT LIONS | AT MSU: 2020-22
Last Week: Season complete
Season: 14 tackles (six solo, eight assists), one tackle for loss, 1 ½ sacks, two quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, one pass defense
