Each week Rocky Top Insider will recap the performances of former Tennessee Volunteers in the NFL.
Below is a comprehensive list of week 16’s VFLs in the NFL, including statistics and observations.
Derek Barnett – Houston Texans – DE
Barnett recorded four tackles in the Texans 31-2 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day.
Morgan Cox – Tennessee Titans – LS
Cox was on the field as the long snapper for six plays in the Titans 20-13 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Joshua Dobbs – San Francisco 49ers – QB
Dobbs was forced into action with under two minutes remaining as Brock Purdy exited the game. In his first play, Dobbs connected with fellow VFL and current 49ers teammate Jauan Jennings for a 15-yard completion. Jennings was tackled out-of-bounds by another former Tennessee Volunteer Jalen Reeves-Maybin.
Pretty cool to see Josh Dobbs completing a pass to Jauan Jennings (and Jalen Reeves-Maybin making the tackle) pic.twitter.com/zeWQ4xz5Fm
— Vols Big Orange Podcast (@BigOrangePod) December 31, 2024
On the following play, Dobbs connected with Jennings again on 3rd & 2 for a nine yard completion to get the first down.
For Tennessee fans, it was amazing to see the two former Volunteers showing off their connection in the NFL after being standout players in Knoxville, and brought reactions from many members of the fanbase.
“(Josh) Dobbs complete to (Jauan) Jennings.”
Us Tennessee Vol alums: pic.twitter.com/XrMszSFsmv
— Nathan Johnson (@nathansmalls_13) December 31, 2024
Dobbs followed up his back-to-back completions to Jennings with an 11 yard gain to George Kittle, starting the game with three consecutive completions.
On his fourth passing attempt, Dobbs and Jennings failed to connect, but the quarterback taught as the “passtronaut” due to his aerospace engineering background scrambled for a seven yard touchdown rush on 2nd & Goal.
Shortly after coming into the game, Josh Dobbs finds the end zone 👨🚀
📺: #DETvsSF on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/EHlgiMQBPB— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2024
Dobbs finished with three completions on four attempts for 35 yards to go along with seven rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
Dobbs was recently named the starter for the 49ers week 18 game game against his former team the Arizona Cardinals.
More From RTI: Former Tennessee QB Josh Dobbs Starting For San Fransisco 49ers In Week 18
Hendon Hooker – Detroit Lions – QB
Hendon Hooker did not see the field in the Lions win over San Francisco, but still remains the backup after Teddy Bridgewater rejoined the quarterback room in Detroit.
Jalin Hyatt – New York Giants – WR
Hyatt was active in the Giants 45-33 win over the Colts but was not targeted in the game.
Theo Jackson – Minnesota Vikings – DB
Jackson was active but did not find his way onto the stat sheet in the Vikings 27-25 win over Green Bay.
Jauan Jennings – San Francisco 49ers – WR
Jennings caught seven passes for 67 yards while being targeted on 10 passes. Two of his seven catches came from Josh Dobbs. Jennings was the star in a viral moment in which the physical receiver blocked former Alabama defensive back and current Lions defensive back Terrion Arnold through the back of the end zone.
Kerby Joseph and Jauan Jennings were both called for personal foul penalties after the whistle on this play.#DETvsSF | ABC, ESPN, ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/HwBbWGhdd8
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 31, 2024
Jennings is only 77 yards away from his first 1,000 yard receiving season, and enters the last week of the regular season with former Tennessee teammate quarterback Joshua Dobbs as his starting quarterback.
More From RTI: Jauan Jennings Creates Viral Moment Against Lions, Links Up With Josh Dobbs
Velus Jones Jr. – Carolina Panthers – WR/RB
Jones received one carry in which he did not gain a yard in. The Panthers lost to the Buccaneers 48-14.
Ramel Keyton – Las Vegas Raiders – WR
Keyton was active in the Raiders 25-10 win over the Saints, but did not receive a target.
Jaylen McCollough – Los Angeles Rams – DB
McCollough had two tackles in the Rams 13-9 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Josh Palmer – Los Angeles Chargers – WR
Palmer caught four receptions while being targeted six times for 41 yards in the Chargers 40-7 win over the Patriots.
Cordarrelle Patterson – Pittsburgh Steelers – RB
Patterson has one carry for two yards in the Steelers 29-10 loss to the Chiefs.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin – Detroit Lions – LB
Reeves-Maybin had two tackles in the Lions win, one of them coming against Jauan Jennings.
Trey Smith – Kansas City Chiefs – OL
Smith was a force once again for the Chiefs, and was named to the Pro Bowl.
Trey Smith CLEARING out the B gap in the 4thQ…
When he gets fired up – make a note and go back to the tape. He knows…
Best RG in the NFL. @BrandonThornNFL @BaldyNFL pic.twitter.com/dDbKDZjmuu
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) December 26, 2024
More From RTI: Tennessee Legend Trey Smith Earns First Career Pro Bowl Nod
Alontae Taylor – New Orleans Saints – CB
Taylor deflected two passes and had two tackles in the Saints loss to the Raiders.
Darrell Taylor – Chicago Bears – OLB
Taylor had one sack, one stuff, and four tackles. The Bears lost to the Seahawks 6-3.
Shy Tuttle – Carolina Panthers – DL
Tuttle recorded one stuff and two tackles in the Panthers loss to the Buccaneers.
Darnell Wright – Chicago Bears – OL
Wright has been a bright spot on a very dim offensive line for the Chicago Bears playing right tackle.
Jaylen Wright – Miami Dolphins – RB
Wright was active but did not find his way onto the box score, failing to record a carry or target.
Byron Young – Los Angeles Rams – OLB
Young finished the Rams win with eight tackles, one sack, and one stuff.
Inactive:
Matthew Butler – Las Vegas Raiders – DT
Princeton Fant – Dallas Cowboys – TE
Marquez Callaway – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – WR
Alvin Kamara – New Orleans Saints – RB
Cade Mays – Carolina Panthers – OL
Joe Milton III – New England Patriots – QB
Emmanuel Moseley – Detroit Lions – CB
Cedric Tillman – Cleveland Browns – WR
Dee Williams – New York Giants – RS
Practice Squad:
McCallan Castles – Los Angeles Chargers – TE
Kamal Hadden – Green Bay Packers – DB
Gabe Jeudy-Lally – Tennessee Titans – DB
Jakob Johnson – New York Giants – FB
John Kelly Jr. – Baltimore Ravens – RB
Jabari Small – Tennessee Titans – RB
Kendal Vickers – New Orleans Saints – DL
Injured Reserve:
Micah Abernathy – Atlanta Falcons – S
Commissioner’s Exempt List:
Cameron Sutton – Pittsburgh Steelers – CB
