Football Professional Round Up: Week Six

LAWRENCE, Kan. – With professional football in full swing at the conclusion of the sixth week of games in the National Football League Sunday, 12 Jayhawks continue making their mark at the game’s highest level. A weekly recap of how Kansas football players fared in the professional ranks of the National Football League and the Canadian Football League is below.
 
Jon Cornish – Calgary Stampeders (CFL)
Cornish sat out Calgary’s 27-15 victory over Toronto on Oct. 17 due to neck stiffness. Cornish has rushed for 622 yards and four touchdowns after playing in nine games in 2015. Calgary is 12-4 and currently tied with Edmonton on top of the West Division.
 
Chris Harris – Denver Broncos
Harris notched three tackles as Denver stayed undefeated by beating the Cleveland Browns, 26-23, in overtime on Oct. 18. On the year, Harris now has 24 tackles and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a score. Denver is one of five teams yet to suffer a defeat through week six, posting an unblemished 6-0 record.
 
Tanner Hawkinson – Philadelphia Eagles 
Hawkinson was claimed by the Philadelphia Eagles and signed from the San Francisco 49er’s practice squad on Oct. 13. The Eagles play host to the New York Giants on Monday Night Football Oct. 19.  
  
Ben Heeney – Oakland Raiders
Heeney and the Raiders were off in week six. Heeney has played in four games so far in his rookie season, posting one tackle. Oakland will resume play on Oct. 25 in San Diego to take on the Chargers in an AFC West showdown. The Raiders currently are second in the West with a 2-3 record.  
 
Steven Johnson – Tennessee Titans 
Johnson saw time in Tennessee’s 38-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 18. After being traded from Denver prior to the season starting, Johnson has made one tackle through five games in helping Tennessee to a 1-4 record in the AFC South.
 
Dexter McDonald – Oakland Raiders
McDonald and the Raiders were off in week six. McDonald saw action at Chicago on Oct. 4, but has not recorded any statistics in his rookie season. The Raiders currently hold an overall record of 2-3 and sit second in the AFC West.  
 
Bradley McDougald – Tampa Bay Buccaneers 
McDougald and the Buccaneers were on a bye in week six. McDougald has started all five games at free safety and has already recorded 25 tackles and one interception on the year. Tampa Bay is currently in third place with a record of 2-3 in the NFC South.
 
Toben Opurum – New Orleans Saints
Opurum and the Saints won a 31-21 bout over the Atlanta Falcons during Thursday Night Football on Oct. 15. Opurum has played in one game in 2015 against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 13. The Saints currently sit in last place with a 2-4 record in the NFC South.
 
JaCorey Shepherd – Philadelphia Eagles 
Shepherd is sidelined on the Eagles injured reserve list after tearing his ACL in the preseason.
 
Kevin Short – Seattle Seahawks
Short is a member of Seattle’s practice squad. Seattle lost, 27-23, to the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 18.
 
Darrell Stuckey – San Diego Chargers
Stuckey made two tackles in San Diego’s, 27-20, loss to the Green Bay Packers on Oct. 18. Stuckey now has four tackles and the first sack of his five-year career in week five at Pittsburgh. San Diego is in third place with a 2-4 record in the AFC West.
 
Aqib Talib – Denver Broncos 
Talib helped preserve the Broncos’ undefeated start to 2015 after recording three tackles and breaking up two passes in Denver’s, 26-23, overtime win over Cleveland on Oct. 18. Talib’s highlight came by way of a 63-yard interception returned for a touchdown in the second quarter, giving Denver a 10-0 lead. The interception return for a score was the second of Talib’s season as he now has posted 18 tackles and three interceptions for the AFC West leading Broncos… After Sunday, Talib now has a league-leading eight pick-6’s since joining the NFL in 2008.  
 
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