Week 2 of the NFL season brought another round of updates on former Orange players, with a few names making real noise while others stayed on the sideline or worked their way through roster status.
One of the biggest statistical nights belonged to Cleveland Browns kicker Andre Szmyt, who was perfect in the Browns’ win over Tampa Bay. Szmyt went 3-for-3 on field goals, drilled a long of 50 yards and added both extra points.
On defense, Green Bay Packers linebacker Zaire Franklin delivered a busy day against the Jets, finishing with 9 tackles and an 82.4 tackling grade from PFF.
There was also a strong special teams showing from the Jacksonville Jaguars’ special teams unit, where Chris Gadsden caught both of his targets for 18 receiving yards and a touchdown. Wax also turned in a notable performance, earning an 80.9 PFF grade on special teams against Las Vegas.
Elsewhere, Atlanta Falcons lineman Matthew Bergeron started against Carolina and posted a 63.8 PFF grade, including an 83.5 pass blocking grade. The Falcons’ offense is struggling right now, but a lot of that is on the quarterback play.
A few former Orange players saw limited action in Week 2. Dallas Cowboys defender Justin Barron was active and played on special teams plus one snap on defense, while Alijah Clark recorded one tackle on special teams against Washington. Detroit Lions receiver Jackson Meeks played on special teams and logged one offensive snap against Buffalo, and Jacksonville’s LeQuint Allen played 10 snaps and drew one target against Denver.
Several others were listed on practice squads or inactive for the week. Arizona Cardinals corner Garrett Williams did not play against Seattle, though reports out of Arizona say he is progressing toward a return.
Houston Texans running back Jawhar Jordan remains on the practice squad, as does Jacksonville’s Trebor Pena. Los Angeles Rams quarterback Dan Villari is on the Rams practice squad.
New England Patriots quarterback Tommy DeVito did not play against Pittsburgh, while New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Fadil Diggs was out against the Ravens. Pittsburgh Steelers defender Kevin Jobity did not play against New England, and San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Enrique Cruz, Jr. did not play against Miami.
The week also included a strong outing from Jacksonville safety Cisco, who made 5 tackles, forced a fumble and added a quarterback hit against Green Bay. Johnathan is on the injured reserve list.
In Other News...
Syracuse Has A Costly Problem Fran Brown Must Fix Fast
Through the first three games, Syracuse has built an unwanted identity around flags. The Orange have piled up 36 penalties for 329 yards, the kind of self-inflicted damage that can wreck drives, swing field position and make every snap feel harder than it should. It has already shown up in the most painful way, with one punt return touchdown erased by a penalty.
Fran Brown now gets a crucial bye week to sort through a problem that has been too costly to ignore. With UConn next on the schedule, Syracuse has a real chance to clean up the discipline issues before they become even more damaging in league play, but the fix has to come fast if the Orange want to stop beating themselves. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Is Reaching A Real Decision Point At Quarterback
Through the first three games, Syracuse has learned enough about its quarterback situation to know this is no longer just a slow start. Steve Angeli has been pressed into tough situations behind an offensive line that has not given him much help, and the results have been rough. He is tied for the most interceptions nationally, has put several other throws in harms way and has looked limited enough as a runner that mobility has become part of the conversation, whether from injury recovery or just the strain of the opening stretch.
The bigger issue for the Orange is that Angelis problems are not happening in isolation. Tackles Kam Pringle and center Joe Cruz have both been part of an underperforming front, and the cumulative effect has made the offense hard to trust in key moments. At some point, Syracuse has to decide whether this is simply a bad early run that can be corrected, or a quarterback setup that needs a different answer before the season gets away from it. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Has Real Momentum With A 5-Star Recruit And Fans Know It
Syracuse has kept itself in the thick of the race for five-star 2027 prospect Moussa Kamissoko, and the Oranges persistence has become part of the story. Gerry McNamara and assistant coach Jamal Brunt have both made repeated trips to his high school, a sign that Syracuse is treating this one like a priority recruit rather than just another name on the board.
Kamissoko has already taken official visits to several schools, but the next few steps in his process could matter even more if he trims some of the remaining stops. Syracuse is being viewed as a leading candidate to land him, which is exactly the kind of momentum the Orange want to build early in a cycle that can shape the program for years, even if no decision has come down yet. [Read more 🡒]