Week 5 brought a bigger stage for Tai Felton, and the former Maryland receiver took advantage.
In Minnesota’s 23-13 win over the New Orleans Saints, Felton was elevated into the WR2 spot and logged the most expanded role of his young NFL career. With Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison both dealing with injuries, the rookie caught two passes on three targets for 27 yards from quarterback Kyler Murray.
It was also a notable shift in how Minnesota used him. For the third straight week, Felton was part of the offense rather than being limited to special teams work, and Sunday was the first game of his career in which all of his playing time came on offense.
Felton was on the field for 47 snaps, split between outside receiver and the slot in Kevin O’Connell’s offense. Through five games, he has already played 125 offensive snaps, well past the 46 he logged during his rookie year.
Minnesota improved to 5-0, reaching that record for the second season after 2016. Once Jefferson and Addison are back, Felton is expected to slide back into a rotational role, but for now he’s building trust as a wideout.
The Vikings are on a Week 6 bye before returning home Sunday, Oct. 25 at 1 p.m. ET against the Indianapolis Colts on CBS.
Felton was one of 13 Maryland football alumni who saw the field across Week 5.
Jalen Huskey, a safety for the Jacksonville Jaguars, played three special teams snaps in kick coverage against the Philadelphia Eagles. New Orleans Saints offensive lineman Alan Herron remained on the practice squad.
Around the league, former Terps showed up in a variety of roles. Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson caught four passes for 72 yards against the Los Angeles Rams.
Miami Dolphins safety Dante Trader Jr. finished with seven tackles and a pass defended against the Cincinnati Bengals. New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks made six tackles and defended a pass against the Washington Commanders, while Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still added five tackles and a pass breakup against the Seattle Seahawks.
Dolphins defensive tackle Jordan Phillips had four tackles against the Bengals. Washington tight end Chig Okonkwo caught four passes on six targets for 60 yards against the Giants. Vikings wide receiver Jeshaun Jones recorded his first career reception, a 32-yard catch against the Saints, and played 17 snaps overall - six on offense and 11 on special teams.
Arizona Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland missed a 53-yard field goal attempt against the Detroit Lions but made all three extra points. Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman DJ Glaze played every snap against the New England Patriots and earned a 65.6 blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. Atlanta Falcons linebacker Josh Woods had one tackle against the Baltimore Ravens.
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson was back in action for the first time since Week 2 after recovering from a right leg bone chip, playing six blocking snaps on special teams against the Colts. Anderson had allowed seven quarterback pressures in the Sept. 20 game against the Patriots and has not returned to his starting spot.
Several Terps did not dress in Week 5. Bills wide receiver DJ Moore was out against the Rams after reaggravating his left shoulder injury in Week 4.
He was in a non-contact practice jersey Saturday after missing Thursday and Friday. Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs was inactive with a hamstring injury against the Giants, while safety Nick Cross also sat out because of illness.
Cross practiced all three days, was limited Thursday and Friday, and could return in Week 6 after missing three games. Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Corey Bullock had a bye.
On practice squads and injured reserve, Bengals safety Beau Brade, Commanders defensive tackle Byron Cowart, Dolphins offensive lineman Gottlieb Ayedze and Chargers offensive lineman Josh Kaltenberger all remained in those same spots for Week 5. San Francisco 49ers defensive end Sam Okuayinonu stayed on injured reserve after September foot surgery, with the team hoping for a late-season return.
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Jakorian Bennett also remained on injured reserve with a knee injury. He is listed with a designation to return and was eligible to come back in the Week 5 loss to the Jaguars, but still needs his 21-day practice window activated.
There were also a few roster changes. Linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II was released from the Chicago Bears after the two sides reached a settlement following his waiver with an injury designation on Aug.
- Hyppolite had shoulder surgery in September after the preseason, had reverted to the Bears’ injured reserve after going unclaimed, and is now a free agent.
Longtime Terps running back Roman Hemby was elevated from the Raiders practice squad for the game against the Patriots, though he did not play with Ashton Jeanty active despite foot and ankle injuries. And linebacker Chance Campbell was released from the Eagles practice squad with an injury settlement.
The injury was not disclosed, and Campbell had appeared in Week 3 against the Bears, when he played 11 special teams snaps. He is now a free agent.
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Against a Buckeyes offense that usually makes life hard on everyone, Stewart was active in all the ways Maryland needs from a frontline disruptor. He kept finding the backfield, helped generate pressure and made a noticeable impact even as the result went against the Terps, which is exactly why his presence is becoming harder to ignore as Maryland moves deeper into the schedule. [Read more 🡒]
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For Maryland fans, the broader intrigue is how quickly Oakdale has become a program that belongs in the same breath as Linganore when the playoff conversations begin. Both schools have spent years as legitimate contenders, with multiple state title appearances between them, and this rivalry has repeatedly carried stakes beyond bragging rights. As the season moves along, the latest result gives Oakdale a stronger claim in the Class 3A debate while leaving the larger balance of power between these two programs very much in play. [Read more 🡒]