Florida Gators in the NFL: Week 2 Roundup
It was mostly an uneventful Week 2 for former Gators in the NFL, but there were a few performances that shouldn't go unnoticed, including two by rookies and another by a veteran in a new role.
Here's a look at how former Gators in the NFL faired in Week 2 of the 2023 season.
Anthony Richardson scores twice but exits early
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson continued his early NFL success with two rushing touchdowns in the first quarter. Through two games, his three rushing touchdowns now lead all NFL quarterbacks.
His second touchdown rush, a 15-yard keeper off the left side, put Indianapolis ahead 14-7. However, he hit his head hard against the turf at the end of the play, and after returning for the team's next drive, reported to the staff that he had concussion-like symptoms.
Richardson would eventually leave the game and is "likely out" for the team's Week 3 matchup against the Ravens, according to a report from Timm Hamm of RavenCountry.com. Richardson is currently in the league's concussion protocol.
Gardner Minshew would step in his place and lead the Colts to a win, which technically gave Richardson his first win as an NFL starter.
Alex Anzalone, Gervon Dexter Sr. make plays in losses
Although the Lions and Bears each suffered losses on Sunday, former Gators defenders Alex Anzalone and Gervon Dexter Sr. both made flashy plays on defense.
In a 37-31 overtime loss to Seattle, Anzalone had eight tackles (seven solo) with a sack. His sack not only went for a 17-yard loss, it allowed Detroit to eventually tie the game with a 38-yard field goal as time expired.
As a whole, however, Detroit's linebacker unit, which also includes former Gator-turned-Jackson State Tiger James Houston IV, struggled in pass coverage allowing 14 catches for 169 yards, per PFF.
Meanwhile, Chicago struggled mightily in a 27-17 loss to Tampa Bay, but Dexter provided a few bright spots in run support. The rookie recorded a career-high four solo tackles in his second appearance. As a team, the Bears only allowed 3.5 yards per carry.
Jawaan Taylor makes Chiefs' history; Stone Forsythe shines in an elevated role
After making headlines during the Chiefs' Week 1 loss to Detroit, offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor continued to draw attention in Kansas City's win against his former team.
Taylor was called for five total penalties, the most by any Chiefs player in the last 20 years. Two of which were false starts, two were holding calls and another was for illegal procedure. He was briefly benched following his fourth penalty but returned later in the game.
Now, the positive highlight. Taylor provided a pancake block on the right side during a 34-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes, which led to a touchdown pass to Travis Kelce. Kansas City would go on to win, 17-9.
Meanwhile, offensive tackle Stone Forsythe made his first start of the season in Seattle's overtime win against Detroit. During the Seahawks' game-winning drive, he provided excellent pass protection for Geno Smith.
He graded as Seattle's top offensive lineman with a 70.4 grade (75.2 pass block, 62.1 run block), per PFF.
Week 2 stats
- Marco Wilson (Arizona): Five tackles (five solo)
- DJ Humphries (Arizona): Starting left tackle
- Kyle Pitts (Atlanta): Two catches, 15 yards
- O'Cyrus Torrence (Buffalo): Starting left guard
- CJ Henderson (Carolina): Seven tackles (six solo)
- Eddy Pineiro (Carolina): 3/3 FG (long of 54 yards)
- Gervon Dexter Sr. (Chicago): Four tackles (Four solo)
- Zach Carter (Cincinnati): Two tackles (one solo), one tackle-for-loss
- Evan McPherson (Cincinnati): 1/1 FG (27 yards), 3/3 extra points
- Dante Fowler Jr. (Dallas): Two tackles (one solo)
- Alex Anzalone (Detroit): Seven tackles (five solo), one sack, one tackle-for-loss
- CJ Gardner-Johnson (Detroit): Eight tackles (seven solo)
- TJ Slaton (Green Bay): Four tackles (One solo)
- Dameon Pierce (Houston): 15 carries, 31 yards. Two catches, four yards
- Jonathan Greenard (Houston): Two tackles
- Anthony Richardson (Indianapolis): 6/10, 56 yards. Three carries, 35 yards, two touchdowns
- Taven Bryan (Indianapolis): One tackle (one solo), one sack, one tackle-for-loss
- Kadarius Toney (Kansas City): Five catches, 35 yards. One carry, three yards
- Tommy Townsend (Kansas City): Four punts, 193 yards, 48.3-yard average, one downed inside the 20-yard line
- Jawaan Taylor (Kansas City): Starting right tackle
- Van Jefferson (Los Angeles Rams): One catch, nine yards
- Demarcus Robinson (Los Angeles Rams): No stats
- Jonathan Bullard (Minnesota): One tackle
- Brandon Powell (Minnesota): Two punt returns, 19 yards
- Marcus Maye (New Orleans): Seven tackles (six solo), one sack
- Fred Johnson (Philadelphia): Backup left tackle
- Keanu Neal (Pittsburgh): Five tackles (two solo)
- Stone Forsythe (Seattle): Starting left tackle
- Kyle Trask (Tampa Bay): Did not play
Other Gators in the NFL
- Jeremiah Moon (Baltimore, practice squad)
- Kaiir Elam (Buffalo, inactive)
- Richard Gouraige (Buffalo, practice squad)
- Justin Shorter (Buffalo, injured reserve)
- David Sharpe (Carolina, practice squad)
- Malik Davis (Dallas, practice squad)
- Brenton Cox Jr. (Green Bay, inactive)
- Ventrell Miller (Jacksonville, injured reserve)
- La'Mical Perine (Kansas City, practice squad)
- Amari Burney (Las Vegas, inactive)
- Trent Brown (New England, inactive)
- Jarrad Davis (New York Giants, injured reserve)
- Trey Dean (New York Jets, practice squad)
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