Gators in the NFL: Highs and Lows Highlight Week 7
It was a weekend of highs, lows and even some off-the-field consequences for former University of Florida players in the NFL.
Plenty of former players fill NFL rosters in Week 7: 47 players (35 active) on 21 teams.
While several former Gators players made an impact in the game, Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson made headlines during his bye week after being fined $11,194 for spitting on Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers in Week 6.
The NFL had already suspended Gardner-Johnson for Buffalo’s Week 8 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens before adding the fine Saturday.
At Ford Field, Green Bay Packers kicker Trey Smack and defensive end Brenton Cox Jr. had afternoons they would like to forget in the Packers’ 20-17 loss to the Detroit Lions.
Smack missed two field goals, one from 26 yards and another that was partially blocked from 35. The rookie is now 11-for-16 on field-goal attempts with two missed extra points.
Smack ranks 29th in field-goal percentage and 28th in extra-point percentage among the 32 kickers in the league with at least five field-goal attempts this season. Despite the struggles, coach Matt LaFleur remains committed to Smack.
“You never want to go through it, ” LaFleur said. “Trey is a guy who has proven he can do it. I know he can do it. We have to wipe this one clean and move on and hopefully we can be a little better.”
Cox also made a costly mistake against Detroit. The defensive end was called for roughing the passer on what would have been a third-and-10 stop, giving the Lions a fresh set of downs.
In Atlanta, Kyle Pitts found the end zone on National Tight Ends Day, catching a 5-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Pitts also recorded his 300th career reception, becoming the sixth-youngest tight end in league history to reach the mark.
On the other side of the ball, C.J. Henderson recorded six tackles, including four solo stops for the Falcons. The cornerback also broke up two passes, including one in the end zone that prevented 49ers receiver Jordan Watkins from hauling in a touchdown.
Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. also recorded two tackles and a fumble recovery for the Falcons, as they upset San Francisco 29-20 in Atlanta.
Tampa Bay linebacker Alex Anzalone also impressed, recording six tackles in the Buccaneers’ 43-13 win against the Carolina Panthers.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Dameon Pierce found the end zone in prime time, rushing 14 times for 47 yards and a touchdown in the Eagles’ 38-21 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night.
Kicker Evan McPherson continued his perfect season on extra-point attempts in the Cincinnati Bengals’ 35-13 rout of the Baltimore Ravens. McPherson went 5-for-5 on extra points, moving him to 19-for-19 on the season.
Minnesota Vikings first-round pick Caleb Banks also had a difficult afternoon. Banks left the game against the Indianapolis Colts early after sustaining a lower-body injury and limping off the field.
Injuries are nothing new for the former Gator. Banks battled foot injuries throughout the 2025 season that limited him to just three games in his final season at Florida.
Between career milestones, costly mistakes and injury concerns, Week 7 brought mixed results for former Gators across the league. They’ll look to build on the highs and bounce back from the lows when Week 8 kicks off Thursday night.
Category: Gators Football, NFL
