Spartans in the NFL: Week 17 Check-In on Michigan State Alumni
As the NFL regular season winds down, Michigan State's presence across the league remains strong, with 14 former Spartans on active rosters and several more grinding on practice squads. From seasoned vets to undrafted rookies making their mark, Week 17 offered a snapshot of the highs, lows, and everything in between for MSU alumni.
Let’s take a closer look at how the former Spartans fared across the league in Week 17:
Jalen Nailor - WR, Minnesota Vikings
Nailor saw a fair share of action, logging 26 snaps in the Vikings’ 23-10 win over the Lions.
While he was targeted once and didn’t come down with the ball, the bigger story was Minnesota officially eliminating Detroit from playoff contention. The Vikings move to 8-8, and while Nailor didn’t fill the stat sheet, his continued involvement in the rotation shows the coaching staff’s trust in his development.
Jordan Turner - LB, Denver Broncos
Turner continues to carve out his role on special teams, playing 14 snaps in Denver’s 20-13 win over the Chiefs.
He didn’t register any stats this week, but his contributions in the third phase have helped the Broncos climb to a 13-3 record-one of the league’s best. For a young linebacker, earning consistent special teams reps on a contending squad is a solid foundation.
Kenneth Walker III - RB, Seattle Seahawks
Seattle’s ground game is humming, and while Walker played second fiddle this week, he still chipped in 51 yards on 15 carries.
With Zach Charbonnet posting 110 yards and two touchdowns, the Seahawks leaned into the hot hand in their 27-10 win over Carolina. That’s now six straight wins for Seattle, who are peaking at the right time-and Walker remains a key piece in their offensive puzzle.
Cody White - WR, Seattle Seahawks
White’s day was cut short by a groin injury in the win over the Panthers.
He didn’t return to the game, and his status moving forward will be something to watch. The Seahawks are 13-3 and playoff-bound, so getting healthy could mean a shot at contributing in the postseason.
Nick Samac - C, Carolina Panthers
Samac saw limited action, playing eight snaps on special teams during Carolina’s loss to the Seahawks. The Panthers drop to 8-8, and while Samac isn’t in the offensive line rotation just yet, his presence on special teams shows he’s finding ways to contribute in year two.
Jayden Reed - WR, Green Bay Packers
Reed continues to be a reliable target in Green Bay’s passing attack.
He hauled in all four of his targets for 41 yards in a tough 41-24 loss to the Ravens. The Packers fall to 9-6-1, but Reed’s consistency and sure hands have been a bright spot throughout the season.
Kirk Cousins - QB, Atlanta Falcons
Cousins helped orchestrate one of the bigger surprises of the week, leading Atlanta to a 27-24 upset over the Rams.
The veteran QB went 13-of-20 for 126 yards and a touchdown-efficient, poised, and exactly what the Falcons needed. With the win, Atlanta improves to 7-9 and keeps its slim playoff hopes alive.
Nathan Carter - RB, Atlanta Falcons
Carter was inactive for Monday’s win over the Rams. The undrafted rookie has already made waves by cracking the 53-man roster earlier this year, and while he didn’t suit up this week, his presence in the room is still part of Atlanta’s long-term backfield outlook.
Jack Conklin - OT, Cleveland Browns
Conklin was inactive as the Browns snapped a four-game skid with a gritty 13-6 win over the Steelers. Injuries have limited his availability, but when healthy, Conklin remains one of the more dependable tackles in the league.
Connor Heyward - TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Heyward got involved in an unconventional way this week, taking two carries out of the backfield.
He broke one for 29 yards and lost three on the other. The Steelers fell to Cleveland, dropping to 9-7, but Heyward’s versatility continues to be a weapon-whether he’s lining up at tight end, fullback, or taking surprise handoffs.
Naquan Jones - DT, Houston Texans
Jones made his presence felt with one solo tackle in Houston’s 20-16 win over the Chargers-his former team.
He played 16 snaps, 12 of them on defense, as the Texans extended their win streak to eight games and improved to 11-5. Jones is part of a deep, disruptive front that’s helping Houston surge late in the season.
Luke Newman - OL, Chicago Bears
Newman was inactive in Chicago’s 42-38 shootout loss to the 49ers.
The rookie sixth-rounder is still developing, but making the active roster out of camp was a big step. Chicago sits at 11-5 and is firmly in the playoff mix.
Kendell Brooks - S, Tennessee Titans
Brooks played nearly every defensive snap-51 in total-and racked up five tackles (four solo) in Tennessee’s 34-26 loss to the Saints.
For an undrafted free agent, that kind of workload is no small feat. The Titans may be struggling at 3-13, but Brooks is proving he belongs at this level.
Joe Bachie - LB, Tennessee Titans
Bachie logged 20 snaps on special teams but didn’t tally any stats in the loss to New Orleans. Like Turner in Denver, Bachie’s role on special teams keeps him in the mix, even as Tennessee’s season winds down.
Ben VanSumeren - FB, Philadelphia Eagles
VanSumeren remains on the shelf with a season-ending injury suffered in Week 1, but the Eagles keep rolling.
Philly edged Buffalo 13-12 in a potential Super Bowl preview, improving to 11-5. VanSumeren, who transitioned to fullback with the Eagles, was part of the roster that hoisted the Lombardi last February-joining a short list of Spartans to win it all this decade.
Josh Butler - CB, Dallas Cowboys
Butler has yet to make his season debut after entering the year injured.
With the Cowboys sitting at 7-8-1 and out of the playoff picture, his rookie campaign looks like it’ll end without any game action. Still, making an NFL roster is a milestone in itself-especially for a player who took the long road to get there.
Final Thoughts
From rookies like Kendell Brooks making an impact in starting roles, to veterans like Cousins and Walker helping their teams chase playoff dreams, Michigan State’s footprint on the NFL remains strong. With one week left in the regular season, several former Spartans are gearing up for postseason runs, while others are laying the groundwork for bigger roles in 2026. Whether it’s special teams contributions, rotational snaps, or headline performances, MSU’s NFL pipeline continues to deliver.