Former Huskers Making Waves in Week 16 of the NFL Season
It’s been a quieter NFL season for most of the former Nebraska Cornhuskers, but Week 16 brought a few bright spots - and some well-earned recognition. Two ex-Huskers were named to the Pro Bowl on Tuesday, a major milestone in any NFL career.
Linebacker Luke Gifford, now in his first season with the San Francisco 49ers, earned the honor for the first time, while Philadelphia Eagles center Cam Jurgens made it back-to-back Pro Bowl nods in just his second season as a starter. Both have carved out meaningful roles on playoff-caliber teams, and their recognition speaks volumes about their impact this year.
Let’s take a closer look at how former Huskers fared around the league in Week 16:
Pro Bowlers Leading the Way
Luke Gifford - San Francisco 49ers
Gifford’s Pro Bowl selection is a testament to his versatility and consistency.
Known primarily for his special teams prowess, Gifford has added value on defense for the Niners this season. On Monday Night Football, he logged three snaps on defense and 22 on special teams, making one tackle in each phase.
It’s not flashy, but it’s the kind of steady contribution that coaches love - and clearly, voters noticed.
Cam Jurgens - Philadelphia Eagles
Jurgens continues to anchor the middle of the Eagles' offensive line, starting at center and playing all 66 snaps in Philly’s win over Washington. His second straight Pro Bowl nod confirms what Eagles fans already know: Jurgens is becoming one of the league’s most reliable interior linemen.
Defensive Veteran Still Getting It Done
Lavonte David - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
At this point, Lavonte David is just stacking chapters onto an already impressive NFL résumé.
The veteran linebacker was everywhere in the Bucs’ loss to Carolina, finishing with 10 tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss, and a quarterback hit. David played 54 defensive snaps and reminded everyone that even in Year 12, he’s still a difference-maker.
Other Notable Performances & Updates
Jack Stoll - New Orleans Saints
Stoll chipped in with a four-yard reception and saw meaningful action in the Saints’ win over the Jets.
He played 23 snaps on offense and added five more on special teams. It’s a solid week for a tight end who’s built his role around reliability and blocking efficiency.
John Bullock - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bullock made his presence felt on special teams, recording a tackle on 16 special teams snaps. He’s continuing to earn his stripes in the third phase of the game - a key path to sticking on NFL rosters.
Ty Robinson - Philadelphia Eagles
Robinson saw limited action in the Eagles’ defensive rotation, logging six snaps on defense and four on special teams. It’s valuable experience for the rookie as he continues to develop behind a veteran-heavy front.
Injury Updates
Cam Taylor-Britt - Cincinnati Bengals
Taylor-Britt’s season is over due to a foot injury. A tough blow for a young cornerback who had been growing into a bigger role in the Bengals’ secondary.
Maliek Collins - Cleveland Browns
Another defensive lineman lost for the year - Collins will miss the rest of the season with a quad injury.
Travis Vokolek - Arizona Cardinals
Vokolek was placed on injured reserve earlier this season after suffering a neck injury in Week 6. His rookie campaign ends prematurely, but there’s hope he’ll be back strong next year.
Trey Palmer - New Orleans Saints
Palmer was placed on the injured list this week.
Omar Brown - Green Bay Packers
Brown also landed on injured reserve, cutting his season short.
Thomas Fidone - New York Giants
Fidone remains on the Giants’ injured list.
Practice Squad Updates
Several former Huskers are still grinding on NFL practice squads, hoping for their shot:
- Garrett Nelson - Denver Broncos
- Ben Stille - Atlanta Falcons
- Samori Toure - New Orleans Saints (recently signed after a stint with Denver)
- Ochaun Mathis - New York Jets (signed last week after being released by the Browns)
- Isaiah Neyor - Green Bay Packers
- Nash Hutmacher - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Ben Scott - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ameer Abdullah - Indianapolis Colts
Abdullah had a mixed outing on Monday Night Football.
He caught one pass for four yards, returned a kickoff for 17 yards, and made a special teams tackle. However, he also lost a fumble in the Colts' loss to the 49ers.
At this stage in his career, Abdullah continues to contribute in multiple phases, but ball security remains critical.
Adrian Martinez - San Francisco 49ers
It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for Martinez.
After being released by the 49ers, he briefly joined the Jets before being re-signed by San Francisco. While he’s not currently on the active roster, his return to the 49ers’ system shows there’s still interest in his development.
As the regular season winds down, it’s clear that while some former Huskers are battling injuries or fighting for roster spots, others are thriving - earning Pro Bowl recognition and making key contributions on playoff-bound teams. Whether it's veterans like Lavonte David continuing to lead or younger players like Cam Jurgens solidifying their place in the league, Nebraska’s NFL pipeline is still very much alive.