Gators in the NFL: Week 8

Last Updated: October 28, 2025By

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Week 8 of the NFL season saw a pair of rookies making statements, veteran defenders delivering in clutch moments and special teams remaining perfect.

Each week of the 2025-26 season, FloridaGators.com will cover all of the best moments from the NFL stars who made a name for themselves in Gainesville.

 

Offense

Chimere Dike – WR – Tennessee Titans

Dike’s impact continues to grow on offense, and this week against Indianapolis he logged a season-high 63 snaps. The talented wideout is developing strong chemistry with quarterback Cam Ward and the Titans’ offensive system, catching seven passes for 93 yards, adding a one-yard rush and piling up 175 kick-return yards. He currently leads the NFL in all-purpose yards (1,294), continuing his breakout rookie campaign.

 

Kyle Pitts – TE – Atlanta Falcons
Another steady outing for Pitts, who reeled in all nine of his targets for 59 yards. The Falcons tight end continues to provide reliable production through the air for Atlanta’s passing attack.

Defense
Trikweze Bridges – CB – Dallas Cowboys
Big debut for the rookie. In his first career NFL start, Bridges recorded four solo tackles, an interception and two pass breakups, showcasing his instincts and ball skills. His performance was a major step up for the depleted Dallas secondary, with Bridges delivering when his team needed it most.

Jonathan Greenard – OLB – Minnesota Vikings
Greenard turned in a statement performance on Thursday night, finishing with six tackles (five solo), three tackles for loss, two quarterback hits and a sack. The veteran edge rusher dominated up front, keeping pressure on Justin Herbert and the Charger’s offensive line all game long.

Gervon Dexter Sr. – DL – Chicago Bears
Dexter Sr. was everywhere on Sunday, wreaking havoc in the Ravens’ backfield and stuffing the stat sheet. The third-year lineman totaled seven tackles (five solo), two tackles for loss, one quarterback hit and a sack, providing a dominant presence along the Bear’s front four.

Special Teams
Tommy Townsend – P – Houston Texans
In the Texans’ dominant win over the 49ers, Townsend’s opportunities were limited, yet he delivered when called upon. The sixth-year punter launched two kicks for 96 yards, with one downed at the one-yard line, leading to a game-sealing interception on the following 49ers drive.

Evan McPherson – K – Cincinnati Bengals
Another strong showing from McPherson, as the Bengals’ offense kept him active all afternoon. He was perfect on the day, going five-for-five on extra points and nailing his lone field goal attempt, contributing in every quarter of game action.
 

NFL: New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals
Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

 
For a complete list of Gators in the NFL, see below.

Arizona Cardinals (BYE)

90 – Zachary Carter* – DT – 4 years (Practice Squad)

Atlanta Falcons (MIA 34 – ATL 10)

8 – Kyle Pitts – TE – 5 years (9 Receptions, 59 Yards)

Baltimore Ravens (CHI 16 – BAL 30)

58 – Taven Bryan – DL – 7 years

Buffalo Bills (BUF 40 – CAR 9)

64 – O’Cyrus Torrence – OG – 3 years

Carolina Panthers (BUF 40 – CAR 9)

49 – Jeremiah Moon* – LB – 3 years (Practice Squad)

92 – Cam Jackson – DT – Rookie

Chicago Bears (CHI 16 – BAL 30)

99 – Gervon Dexter Sr. – DL – 3 years (7 TOT, 5 SOLO, 1 Sack, 2 TFL, 1 QB Hit)

Cincinnati Bengals (NYJ 39 – CIN 38)

2 – Evan McPherson – K – 5 years (1/1 FG, Long of 26, 5/5 XP)

24 – Marco Wilson – CB – 5 years

98 – T.J. Slaton Jr. – DL – 5 years (3 TOT, 2 SOLO, 1 TFL)

Dallas Cowboys (DAL 24 – DEN 44)

13 – Dante Fowler Jr. – DE – 11 years (1 TOT, 1 SOLO)

20 – Kaiir Elam – CB – 4 years (3 TOT, 2 SOLO)

21 – Malik Davis* – RB – 3 years (Practice Squad)

25 – Trikweze Bridges – CB – Rookie (4 TOT, 4 SOLO, 1 INT, 2 PD)

50 – Shemar James – LB – Rookie (4 TOT, 1 SOLO)

Denver Broncos (DAL 24 – DEN 44)

16 – Jeremy Crawshaw – P – Rookie (2 Punts, 80 Yards, 40 AVG, Long of 47)

Detroit Lions (BYE)

34 – Alex Anzalone – LB – 9 years

65 – Kingsley Eguakun* – C – 1 year (Practice Squad)

Green Bay Packers (GB 35 – PIT 25)

57 – Brenton Cox Jr. – DL – 3 years (Injured/Reserve)

Houston Texans (SF 15 – HOU 26)

6 – Tommy Townsend – P – 6 years (2 Punts, 96 Yards, 48 AVG, 1 in 20, Long of 53)

18 – Graham Mertz – QB – Rookie

31 – Dameon Pierce – RB – 4 years

77 – Trent Brown – OT – 11 years

Indianapolis Colts (TEN 14 – IND 38)

5 – Anthony Richardson Sr. – QB – 3 years (Injured/Reserve)

Jacksonville Jaguars (BYE)

51 – Ventrell Miller – LB – 3 years

Kansas City Chiefs (WAS 7 – KC 28)

74 – Jawaan Taylor – OT – 7 years

Las Vegas Raiders (BYE)

70 – Stone Forsythe – OL – 5 years

88 – Justin Shorter – WR – 3 years

Los Angeles Chargers (MIN 10 – LAC 37)

72 – David Sharpe* – OL – 6 years (Practice Squad)

Los Angeles Rams (BYE)

72 – DJ Humphries – OL – 11 years

Miami Dolphins (MIA 34 – ATL 10)

33 – Jason Marshall Jr. – CB – Rookie (Injured/Reserve)

Minnesota Vikings (MIN 10 – LAC 37)

58 – Jonathan Greenard – OLB – 6 years (6 TOT, 5 SOLO, 1 Sack, 3 TFL, 2 QB Hits)

New Orleans Saints (TB 23 – NO 3)

98 – Jonathan Bullard – DE – 10 years (2 TOT, 1 SOLO)

New York Jets (NYJ 39 – CIN 38)

54 – Ja’Markis Weston – LB – Rookie

Philadelphia Eagles (NYG 20 – PHI 38)

74 – Fred Johnson – OT – 7 years

San Francisco 49ers (SF 15 – HOU 26)

1 – Ricky Pearsall – WR – 1 year

5 – Demarcus Robinson – WR – 10 years (2 Receptions, 5 Yards)

18 – Eddy Piñeiro – K – 5 years (1/1 XP)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TB 23 – NO 3)

56 – Desmond Watson* – DT – Rookie (Practice Squad)

Tennessee Titans (TEN 14 – IND 38)

11 – Van Jefferson – WR – 6 years (1 Reception, 6 Yards)

17 – Chimere Dike – WR – Rookie (7 Receptions, 93 Yards, 1 Rush, 1 Yard, 7 KR, 175 Yards)

78 – Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson – OT – Rookie

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