Week 3 brought another wave of former Tennessee players onto NFL fields, and a few of them left a real mark. Bryson Eason got his first taste of regular-season action for the Chiefs, Derek Barnett helped close out a Browns win with a pressure that mattered, and Joshua Josephs flashed in a strong showing for the Commanders.
Eason, an undrafted defensive tackle who spent the offseason and preseason with the 49ers before being released during roster cuts and then claimed by Kansas City, was active for the first time this season in the Chiefs’ win over the Dolphins. He logged seven defensive snaps and picked up his first NFL tackle in the first quarter in Miami.
Barnett delivered the kind of play that shows up in the final minute and lingers afterward. The veteran Browns defensive end was active in Cleveland’s win over the Panthers and finished with one tackle, one quarterback hit and one pass deflection across 27 defensive snaps. He got to Bryce Young’s arm as the quarterback released the ball, forcing a looping pass that Cleveland intercepted in the closing seconds to seal the victory.
Josephs made his presence felt for Washington despite limited snaps. The rookie linebacker posted four tackles and a tackle for loss on just 15 defensive snaps, and he also added a tackle in kickoff coverage across eight special teams snaps in the Commanders’ win over the Seahawks.
Several other former Vols also turned in notable performances across the league. Colton Hood started at cornerback and made four tackles for the Giants in their win against the Titans. Jermod McCoy worked exclusively on special teams for the Raiders, playing 12 snaps with no stats in the win at the Saints.
Jauan Jennings was targeted twice and caught a 1-yard pass for the Vikings in the win at the Bucs. Alvin Kamara handled nine carries for 36 yards and added a 5-yard catch in the Saints’ loss to the Raiders.
For the Rams in their Sunday Night Football loss at the Broncos, Byron Young had four tackles while Jaylen McCollough recorded two tackles. McCollough played 44 snaps overall, with 25 on defense and 19 on special teams.
Darnell Wright started at right tackle for the Bears and played every snap in the win against the Eagles on Monday Night Football. Alontae Taylor started for the Titans and finished with four tackles and a sack in the loss at the Giants. Trey Smith started at right guard for the Chiefs and played all 52 snaps in Kansas City’s win at the Dolphins.
Josh Palmer played 21 offensive snaps for the Bills in the win against the Chargers but was not targeted. Kamal Hadden appeared on five special teams snaps for the Packers in the loss to the Falcons on Thursday Night Football. Velus Jones Jr. was elevated from the practice squad and handled 22 special teams snaps for the Seahawks in the loss at the Commanders.
Elijah Simmons made his 2026 debut for the Bucs and got only nine defensive snaps, but he still came away with two tackles and a tackle for loss in the loss to the Vikings. Shy Tuttle played 23 defensive snaps for the Commanders and had one tackle in the win against the Seahawks. Theo Jackson started at safety for the Vikings and added two tackles in the win at the Bucs.
Joshua Dobbs was the unused backup quarterback for the Lions in their win against the Jets. Morgan Cox handled long-snapping duties for the Titans in the loss at the Giants, working through wet weather on one field goal, one extra point and five punts.
In Other News...
Josh Dobbs Had Another Sideline Moment Tennessee Fans Will Appreciate
Joshua Dobbs has spent his 10th NFL season doing the sort of little things that tend to endear him to any locker room, and Tennessee fans know the routine by now. The former Volunteers quarterback, now in his first year of a second stint with the Lions, has not appeared in a regular-season game yet, but he did draw attention during a viral sideline moment when he handled a coachs headset by simply moving the microphone to the other side instead of replacing it.
It was a small gesture, but the kind that fits the broader story of Dobbs, who has long been valued for his presence as much as his arm. He turned in a strong preseason for Detroit and remains a veteran backup at age 31, but moments like this are why he still seems to resonate in Knoxville, where efficiency, awareness and a team-first approach have always played well. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Fans May Want To Notice This Famous-Name QB
The attention around quarterback recruiting in Tennessee already comes with plenty of noise, but Bo Bryan gave people plenty to notice Friday night. The Battle Ground Academy starter and son of country music star Luke Bryan put together a huge showing against Franklin Road Academy, completing 24 of 33 passes for 404 yards and six touchdowns in a win that should only add to his growing profile.
Bryan is already carrying multiple college offers and is ranked as a three-star prospect in the Class of 2027, so performances like this can only help him keep climbing the radar. Luke Bryan was on hand and expressed pride in his son's effort, a reminder that this is becoming one of those names Tennessee fans may want to keep in the back of their minds as the recruiting picture continues to take shape. [Read more 🡒]
New Lady Vol Rylie Theuerkauf Already Sounds Built For Tennessee
Official practice for the 2026-27 season has only just begun, but Rylie Theuerkauf is already speaking like a player who knows exactly why she came to Tennessee. The senior guard arrived after stops at Wake Forest and Georgia, and her move brought her back alongside assistant coach Isoken Uzamere and teammate Zhen Craft, two familiar connections in a new setting. There is always an adjustment period with a transfer, especially one who has already lived in more than one program, but Theuerkauf sounded comfortable describing the transition and the work that went into getting settled with the Lady Vols.
What stands out most is how quickly she has bought into the bigger picture around Kim Caldwells team. Theuerkauf talked about chemistry, the gains made over the summer, and the trust she has in Caldwell as Tennessee starts to put its pieces together. For a program that expects newcomers to fit into a demanding standard fast, that matters, and it suggests Theuerkauf may be more than just another veteran guard in the rotation. She already sounds like someone who understands the assignment, even if the real proof will come once the games begin. [Read more 🡒]