As the NFL entered the midpoint of the season, former Longhorns old and new shined in all three phases of the game. Here’s how former Texas offensive, defensive and special teams players fared in Week 8 of the NFL season:
Earl Thomas
Thomas and the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Houston Texans 41-38 on Sunday. Seattle was down early at home in the contest, until Thomas picked off quarterback Deshaun Watson and ran it back 78 yards for a touchdown. His score tied the game and kept it from getting out of hand. The Orange, Texas, native had five combined tackles to go along with his second interception of the year.
Thomas was forced to leave the game early due to a hamstring injury. “He’s a little sore,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said to reporters after the game. Thomas will be re-evaluated on Friday, and he will most likely be held out of Sunday’s contest against the Redskins.
Justin Tucker
Kickers are NFL players too, and Justin Tucker proves it. The 27-year-old has made 15 out of 18 kicks this year, including three over-50-yard field goals and a perfect 15 for 15 extra points.
Tucker now holds many Ravens franchise records, including most points scored in a single season, with 141 in 2016. While at Texas, Tucker hit one of the most iconic kicks in Longhorn history. His game-winning field goal against Texas A&M concluded the 118-game rivalry between the two schools.
Nick Rose
Rose is one of the more recent Longhorns to go pro. After signing as a free agent with the Atlanta Falcons in May of 2016, he was released three months later.
But Rose would find work again soon, as he was signed two weeks ago by the Washington Redskins. So far in his young career, Rose has made three of four field goals and four of five extra points.
Jamaal Charles
Charles’ return to Kansas City was memorable in his heart but forgettable on the field. Prior to the game, he released an open letter to Kansas City thanking them for giving him the opportunity to play there for nine years. However, the Chiefs defense did not reciprocate the affection once the game started. Charles was held to a mere 39 yards rushing despite averaging nearly five yards a carry. Charles was never able to get into a rhythm as the Broncos were down early and struggled to move the ball on the ground.
