Travis Hunter (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Travis Hunter is making a compelling case that playing both offense and defense at the NFL level can work. Even his most vocal early doubters are starting to change their tune. His Week 6 performance against Houston was the strongest evidence yet.
Hunter caught four passes for 59 yards and a touchdown while also recording an interception, three tackles and a pass breakup on defense in Jacksonville’s 34-31 loss to the Texans. He became the first NFL player since Brian Dawkins in 2002 to record a receiving touchdown and an interception in the same game. That was over two decades ago.
Hunter played 62 defensive snaps and just nine offensive snaps, but those limited offensive opportunities were enough to showcase the same red-zone instincts that made him so dangerous at Colorado.
His seven-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter was particularly impressive. Hunter ran a slant against a linebacker who had inside leverage, positioning that should have made it difficult for Hunter to win inside. He beat the defender to the spot anyway, creating separation for Trevor Lawrence to deliver the touchdown.
An Instagram clip captured Lawrence and head coach Liam Coen watching the replay together on the sideline, visibly impressed by Hunter’s route and how he managed to beat the coverage.
Consider the significance of that moment. Lawrence has spent years throwing to NFL receivers, and Coen has built a career designing offenses and studying defensive schemes. Yet both were marveling at Hunter’s ability to win a matchup that appeared to favor the defender.
When the people who work with elite NFL talent every day are amazed by what you’re doing, it speaks volumes about the kind of player you are.
Hunter has also developed a reputation for delivering some of his most memorable plays when opponents get close to the end zone.
Colorado fans remember his spectacular red-zone interception against TCU in 2023, followed by his game-winning forced fumble at the goal line against Baylor the following season. Earlier this year, Hunter intercepted Drake Maye in the end zone against New England, denying the Patriots a touchdown.
And on Sunday, he added another goal line turnover to the collection.
On Houston’s ensuing possession following his touchdown, Hunter intercepted C.J. Stroud in the end zone, delivering another enormous fourth-quarter play.
Whether he’s finding separation near the goal line or taking away an opponent’s scoring opportunity, Hunter has consistently shown an ability to make his presence felt when the field gets smaller and the stakes get higher.
Asked afterward about accomplishing something so rare, Hunter responded with the casual confidence Colorado fans know well.
“I’ve been doing this since I was a baby.”
For Hunter, the moment was familiar and nothing special, but for the rest of us it was another glimpse of just how unreal his two-way ability is.
Nate Landman (Los Angeles Rams)
Nate Landman continues to be one of the most productive players on Los Angeles defense, recording a team-high 10 tackles in Sunday’s 18-16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Landman finished with six solo tackles and four assisted tackles, marking his third consecutive game with double-digit tackles. Over that stretch, he has accumulated 33 total tackles and two forced fumbles.
Unfortunately for Landman, his individual success has done little to slow the Rams disappointing start to the season.
Los Angeles has now dropped three of its last four games, falling to 2-4 after another heartbreaking defeat. The Rams took a 16-15 lead with just 47 seconds remaining Sunday, only to watch Arizona march down the field and steal the victory with a field goal as time expired.
For a team that entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations, the losses are beginning to pile up. At 2-4, Los Angeles is quickly approaching a point where every game feels increasingly important. If the Rams cannot turn things around soon, their postseason hopes could be in serious jeopardy before the season reaches its halfway point.
Landman has done his part, leading the team with 51 tackles through six games while serving as the defensive signal-caller. But with injuries mounting across the roster, the Rams can ill afford to lose another key contributor.
That possibility became a concern Wednesday when head coach Sean McVay confirmed Landman had entered the NFL’s concussion protocol following Sunday’s game. He missed Wednesday’s practice, leaving his availability for Week 7 against Las Vegas uncertain.
With their season already moving in the wrong direction, the Rams need Landman healthy and producing at the level he has shown over the past three weeks. They also need those performances to start translating into wins.
Kahlil Benson (Kansas City Chiefs)
Kahlil Benson returned from Kansas City’s bye week with another full afternoon protecting Patrick Mahomes, playing all 61 offensive snaps in Sunday’s 22-6 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Benson started his fifth consecutive game at left tackle, allowing three quarterback pressures, including one hit and two hurries, but did not give up a sack. The Chiefs improved to 5-0, remaining the AFC’s only undefeated team.
Kansas City’s offensive line could see some changes in the coming weeks, however, and Benson may find himself moving back to a familiar position.
Starting left tackle Josh Simmons has returned to practice after dealing with a back injury, while right tackle Jaylon Moore exited Sunday’s game with a concussion. Benson originally competed for the starting right tackle job during training camp before shifting to the left side following Simmons’ injury.
With Moore’s availability uncertain and Simmons working toward a return, Benson’s ability to play either tackle position gives Kansas City valuable flexibility as it looks to keep its undefeated start intact.
For Benson, the next challenge may be adjusting to another position rather than fighting to keep a place in the lineup.
Shedeur Sanders (Cleveland Browns)
Cleveland’s surprising start to the season continued Sunday with a 13-10 victory over Baltimore, leaving Shedeur Sanders watching from the sideline as the Browns improved to 4-2.
The Browns have won four of their last five games and now find themselves in a three-way tie atop the AFC North alongside Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Deshaun Watson threw for 164 yards in Sunday’s victory, helping engineer a late drive that set up Andre Szmyt’s game-winning field goal.
Cleveland’s success has made Sanders’ situation increasingly complicated. Despite the offense’s occasional struggles, the Browns have little reason to make a quarterback change while remaining firmly in the division race.
Last week’s announcement that Sanders had hired his first NFL agent fueled speculation about a possible trade. However, NFL insider Jonathan Jones reported that Cleveland is unlikely to move the second-year quarterback before the November 10 deadline.
Sanders remains Cleveland’s backup, with his immediate opportunities largely dependent on Watson’s availability or a significant change in the team’s direction.
With the Browns unexpectedly competing for the division lead, patience may be Sanders’ only realistic option for the time being.
LaJohntay Wester (Baltimore Ravens)
LaJohntay Wester handled two punt returns for 15 yards in Baltimore’s 13-10 loss to Cleveland on Sunday.
Wester played just three offensive snaps and finished without a reception, continuing to see most of his opportunities on special teams.
Chidobe Awuzie (Baltimore Ravens)
Chidobe Awuzie played three defensive snaps in Sunday’s loss to Cleveland, finishing without a recorded tackle or pass breakup.
After briefly seeing an increased workload in Week 4, Awuzie has returned to a reserve role in Baltimore’s secondary.
Brady Russell (Seattle Seahawks)
Brady Russell played 24 special teams snaps and two offensive snaps in Seattle’s 17-14 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos on Thursday night.
Russell did not record a reception or carry, but continued to handle a significant workload on special teams, where he led the Seahawks in snaps for the game.
Will Sherman (New Orleans Saints)
Will Sherman saw limited action in New Orleans’ 34-27 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday, playing two offensive snaps as a reserve offensive lineman.
Isaiah Oliver (Tennessee Titans)
Oliver was elevated from Tennessee’s practice squad for the second consecutive week, recording two tackles and a pass breakup on eight defensive snaps in Sunday’s 26-20 victory over Indianapolis. He returned to the practice squad Monday.
Practice Squad and IR
Jimmy Horn Jr. (Cleveland Browns) - Practice squad.
Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig (Jacksonville Jaguars) - Practice squad.
Will Sheppard (Miami Dolphins) - Practice squad.
Josh Tupou (New York Giants) - Practice squad.
B.J. Green II (Jacksonville Jaguars) Remains on injured reserve with an elbow injury.
