DALLAS – Former Conference USA standouts made significant contributions across the National Football League this week, highlighted by standout defensive performances from former CUSA players and key contributions in victories across the league.
 
Washington cornerback Amik Robertson (LA Tech) turned in one of the NFL's top defensive performances, recording a team-high nine tackles, including seven solo stops, and a pass breakup in the Commanders' 30-13 loss to Indianapolis. Robertson currently ranks fourth in the NFL in PFF defensive grade (84.6), third in coverage grade (86.4) and fourth in run-defense grade (85.3), while his seven passes defended lead the league.
 
Former MTSU standout Charvarius Ward also made a significant impact in Indianapolis' 30-13 victory, recording three pass breakups. Two came on critical downs, including a third-down breakup that forced a punt and a fourth-down breakup on Washington's final possession that resulted in a turnover on downs and helped seal the Colts' victory. Ward allowed just one catch for eight yards on five targets. Fellow former Blue Raider Reed Blankenship led Houston with 11 tackles, including five solo stops, in the Texans' 30-24 loss to Dallas.
 
Las Vegas cornerback Hezekiah Masses (FIU) added a team-high seven tackles, three solo stops and two pass breakups for Las Vegas in a 30-27 loss to Kansas City. Masses is tied for fourth in the NFL with six passes defended and tied for the league lead with three interceptions.
 
Former New Mexico State standout Seth McGowan also made an impact in multiple phases for Indianapolis, rushing for 31 yards, adding seven receiving yards and totaling 102 kickoff-return yards on four attempts.
 
Minnesota running back Aaron Jones Sr. (UTEP) contributed 128 total yards for Minnesota in its 15-10 victory over Miami, rushing for 94 yards on 20 carries while adding four receptions for 34 yards.
 
Former WKU standout Tyler Higbee caught five passes for 67 yards for the Los Angeles Rams in their 24-20 comeback victory over Philadelphia, recording a long catch on each of the Rams' two fourth-quarter touchdown drives. Fellow former Hilltopper Mitchell Tinsley added three receptions for 49 yards for Cincinnati, including two catches that moved the Bengals from the Jacksonville 23-yard line to the 1-yard line and set up a late touchdown.
 
Las Vegas’ Spencer Burford (UTSA) played all 84 snaps at left guard for the Raiders in their narrow loss to the undefeated Chiefs. He allowed just one pressure and logged the top PFF offensive grade (80.2) and run block grade (81.0) on the team.
 
Former Middle Tennessee standout Jaylin Lane continued to make an impact in the return game for Washington, totaling 80 kickoff-return yards on three attempts and 17 punt-return yards on two attempts. Lane ranks seventh in the NFL with 379 total return yards this season, including 295 on kickoff returns and 84 on punt returns.
 
Former Tulane standout Cairo Santos added 11 points for Chicago, converting all three field-goal attempts and both extra-point attempts in the Bears' 23-13 victory over the New York Jets.
 
Other former CUSA players making contributions included former UTSA standout Riq Woolen, who recorded seven tackles and a pass breakup for Philadelphia; former WKU standout Upton Stout, who added six tackles for San Francisco; former FIU standout Teair Tart, who recorded five tackles and two quarterback hits for the Los Angeles Chargers; former MTSU standout Kevin Byard, who recorded two solo tackles and a third-down pass breakup for New England; former LA Tech standout L'Jarius Sneed, who posted seven tackles and a pass breakup for Kansas City; former LA Tech standout Tre' Harris, who led the Chargers with 60 receiving yards on three catches; former LA Tech standout Xavier Woods, who added three tackles for Chicago; and former MTSU standout Quincy Riley, who recorded four tackles for New Orleans.
 
Click here for a complete list of the 81 former CUSA players featured on NFL rosters for the 2026 season.