The Divisional Round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs delivered the kind of drama and intensity we’ve come to expect in January - snow games, overtime thrillers, and a few standout performances from familiar names if you’re a Tennessee fan. With the postseason field now trimmed to four, several former Vols are still in the hunt, while others saw their seasons come to a close over the weekend. Ten VFLs entered the round on active rosters or practice squads, and five are still standing after a wild weekend of playoff football.
Let’s break down how each of them fared - from head-to-head matchups to late-game cameos and everything in between.
Darnell Wright vs. Byron Young: A Vol-on-Vol Clash in the Snow
Sunday night’s showdown between the Rams and Bears in snowy Chicago was the game of the round - an overtime classic that featured a direct matchup between two key pieces of Tennessee’s 11-win 2022 squad: offensive tackle Darnell Wright and edge rusher Byron Young.
Wright, who’s quickly lived up to his billing as the No. 10 overall pick in the 2023 draft, continued his stellar sophomore campaign. The All-Pro right tackle didn’t miss a snap and anchored the right side of Chicago’s offensive line, with the Bears leaning heavily on his side in the run game. His physicality and consistency have become staples of this Bears offense, and that didn’t change in the playoffs.
Across the line, Byron Young was battling through some knee soreness and saw limited action - under half of the Rams’ defensive snaps - but still made his presence felt early. He racked up five tackles, four of them in the first half, and added a quarterback hit before exiting in the third quarter. The Rams ultimately pulled out the win with a walk-off field goal in overtime, earning their second straight road victory in the postseason and ending the Bears’ run.
Jauan Jennings’ Final Flash for the 49ers
It was a tough night for Jauan Jennings and the 49ers, who never found their footing after giving up a touchdown on the opening kickoff against the top-seeded Seahawks. San Francisco couldn’t recover, and Jennings’ contributions came in a losing effort.
Still, the veteran wideout did what he’s known for - making plays in key moments. He was targeted five times, catching two passes for 23 yards.
His first grab came early, a short 4-yard catch on the Niners’ second offensive snap. Later, he converted a third down with a 19-yard reception in the third quarter, a reminder of his knack for clutch plays.
But the Seahawks controlled the game from start to finish, ending San Francisco’s season in resounding fashion.
Velus Jones Jr. Makes the Most of His Opportunity
It’s been a winding road for Velus Jones Jr. since his days in Chicago, but the Seahawks’ blowout win gave the 2022 third-round pick a chance to get back on the field. After bouncing between the Jaguars, Panthers, and Saints earlier this season, Jones landed on Seattle’s practice squad - twice - and was called up for this Divisional Round matchup.
With the game well in hand, Jones got six carries late and turned them into 10 yards - his first rushing attempts since Week 14. He also contributed on special teams, logging five snaps, downing a punt, and recording a tackle in coverage. It wasn’t a headline-grabbing performance, but for a player who’s battled to stay on rosters all year, it was a solid showing in limited action.
Around the League: VFLs in Supporting Roles
Jaylen McCollough, now with the Rams, chipped in during their overtime win in Chicago. The rookie safety saw 15 snaps on defense, registering one tackle and a pass breakup, and added 17 snaps on special teams. He’s carved out a reliable role in the Rams’ secondary rotation and continues to contribute in key moments.
Joshua Dobbs didn’t see the field for New England, serving as the backup quarterback in their win over the Texans. The Patriots also had Darrell Taylor on the practice squad after signing him following his release from Houston, but he wasn’t elevated for the game.
On the other side, Derek Barnett wrapped up his ninth NFL season with the Texans. The veteran defensive end made one tackle and batted down a pass on 19 defensive snaps in the loss to New England. Meanwhile, Jakob Johnson, also with Houston, remained on the practice squad and did not play.
As the playoff field narrows to just four teams, a handful of former Vols are still in the mix, looking to punch their tickets to the Super Bowl. For others, the offseason begins now - but not without leaving their mark on another thrilling weekend of postseason football.