A good handful of former Tennessee players are set for action in the NFL Playoffs starting next weekend.
From previous Super Bowl champions to first-year rookies in the league, there’s a wide range of former Vols gearing up for the postseason.
Former Super Bowl-winning linemen Trey Smith and Derek Barnett are both playoff-bound. Smith, a third-year player in the league, is looking to capture another Super Bowl ring after doing so last season. Barnett, on the other hand, started the season on the Eagles’ roster but is finishing the season on the Texans’ roster. Barnett is looking to claim his second Super Bowl trophy after winning with the Eagles during the 2018 season.
One of Knoxville’s favorite modern-day players, wide receiver Jauan Jennings, did not play in the Niners’ Week 18 game against Los Angeles. Jennings has been out of action since Week 15 after suffering a concussion against the Arizona Cardinals. Still, though, the 49ers are projected to be a Super Bowl contender this season, which could result in Jennings getting his first Super Bowl ring.
Speaking of the Los Angeles Rams, though, former Tennessee EDGE rusher Byron Young will be suiting up for the playoffs with the Rams landing a Wild Card spot. Young has been a productive player for the Rams this season and certainly has the most output of any Tennessee rookie this year.
Staying with the NFL rookies, both quarterback Hendon Hooker and Cedric Tillman will also be in the playoffs after their first full regular season in the league. Hooker was recently made active on the Lions’ roster but doesn’t look to have any playing time in the near future as the third-string quarterback in the Detroit rotation. Tillman, on the other hand, has been a rotational piece in the Cleveland Browns wide receiver room despite significant quarterback changes from the Browns.
Going back to the Lions’ roster, Detroit also has special teams specialist Jalen Reeves-Maybin and cornerback Cam Sutton ready to go for playoff action. Cornerback Emmanual Mosley is also on the team but suffered a season-ending injury months ago.
More from RTI: Tennessee Leading the Pack in Combined Football/Basketball Attendance
Here’s a look at Tennessee’s playoff Vols coming up this weekend:
Chiefs: OG Trey Smith
Texans: DE Derek Barnett
Browns: WR Cedric Tillman
49ers: WR Jauan Jennings (Inactive – Concussion)
Lions: QB Hendon Hooker, ST/LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin, CB Cam Sutton
Rams: DE Byron Young
Practice Squad Players: Princeton Fant (Cowboys), Alexander Johnson (Dolphins), Johnn Kelly Jr. (Browns)
NFL First-Round Playoff Schedule
Saturday:
(5) Browns at (4) Texans – 4:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
(6) Dolphins at (3) Chiefs – 8 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Sunday:
(7) Steelers at (2) Bills – 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
(7) Packers at (2) Cowboys – 4:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
(6) Rams at (3) Lions – 8 p.m. ET (NBC)
Monday:
(5) Eagles at (4) Buccaneers – 8:15 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN)
