This edition of Gators in the NFL is coming to you live from Chicago, so it’s only fitting that Jon Bostic leads the pack — even though he and his Bears teammates failed to win against the Packers on Sunday. Chicago lost to Green Bay 38-17, and the city wept.
The former Gators linebacker was caught holding at the start of the fourth quarter but he didn’t contribute much beyond that incident in Chicago on Sunday.
Murphy catches on: Former Florida and current Tampa Bay wide receiver Louis Murphy totaled 99 yards, with a team-high six receptions as the Buccaneers defeated the Steelers 27-24.
Sunday was Murphy’s first game since being resigned by the Buccaneers after initially being released in the final round of preseason cuts.
"It’s just kind of fitting for a local guy who loves the Buccaneers," coach Lovie Smith said of Murphy. "While he was out, he stayed in contact with us. He was one of our guys. It says an awful lot about him to come in and be able to contribute like that."
Safety Major Wright totaled nine tackles. Wide receiver Solomon Patton rushed once for 19 yards. He returned two punts for 29 yards and two kicks for 45.
Sturgis, Jenkins excel in London: The Dolphins managed a clutch win against the Raiders on Sunday. Miami defeated Oakland 38-14 at Wembley Stadium in London, England. The transatlantic flight pushed the entire team, including four former Gators, to perform better. The fresh British air led the two most recent Florida grads to success. Kicker Caleb Sturgis completed all five extra point attempts. He solidified his quality performance by making a 41-yard field goal. Linebacker Jelani Jenkins totaled three tackles.
Reed getting healthy: At the start of Week 4, the Washington Redskins fell to the New York Giants 45-14 in Maryland. Jordan Reed, who has not competed since suffering a hamstring injury against Houston, sat out again. Coaches are optimistic that the former Gator will be recovered and ready to compete next week against the Seattle Seahawks.
On Friday, Redskins coach Jay Gruden told Comcast Sportsnet the former Gators tight end will return to play when the Redskins take on the defending NFL champions on Sunday.
"He’s still got the hamstring and he’s rehabbing as hard as he can go right now," Gruden said. "We’re very hopeful that he can get back sooner than later. But like I said before, those hamstrings are all different."
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Louis Murphy (18) attempts to catch the ball in the end zone next to Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback William Gay (22) during Tampa Bay's 27-24 win on Sunday.
