DALLAS – Former Conference USA standouts made significant contributions across the National Football League in week three, highlighted by CUSA connections helping the Chicago Bears and Las Vegas Raiders to victories.
 
In Chicago, two-time CUSA Most Valuable Player and NCAA career passing yards, completions and touchdown leader, Case Keenum (Houston), turned in an impressive performance in his first start since Dec. 24, 2023, leading the Bears to a 27-7 victory over Philadelphia. Keenum completed 24-34 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He also added four carries for six yards and a touchdown.
 
Former Tulane standout Cairo Santos added nine points for the Bears, converting both of his field-goal attempts, including a 48-yarder, and all three extra-point attempts. Xavier Woods (LA Tech) contributed five tackles, including two solo stops, and recovered a fumble in the Bears' victory.
 
Las Vegas cornerback Hezekiah Masses (FIU) delivered a game-changing performance for Las Vegas in the Raiders' 35-27 victory over New Orleans. Masses recorded six tackles, including four solo stops, and came up with an interception that he returned 35 yards to the Saints' eight-yard line, setting up the Raiders' final touchdown to put the game out of reach.
 
Former New Mexico State standout Mike Washington Jr. also made his mark in the Raiders' victory, rushing five times for 54 yards and a touchdown. His 36-yard touchdown run marked his longest carry of the game. Left guard Spencer Burford (UTSA) played all 70 snaps and posted the second-highest PFF run-blocking grade on the Raiders at 73.9.
 
Pittsburgh kicker Chris Boswell (Rice) provided the deciding points in the Steelers’ 30-27 victory over Cincinnati, converting all three field-goal attempts and all three extra-point attempts for 12 points. Boswell connected from 44, 36 and 33 yards, including game-tying and game-winning field goals during the fourth quarter.
 
Former MTSU standout Charvarius Ward led Indianapolis with eight tackles, six solo stops and a pass breakup in the Colts' 19-17 victory over Houston. Fellow former Blue Raider, Reed Blankenship, recorded nine tackles, including five solo stops and two pass breakups for the Texans, while former Florida Atlantic standout Azeez Al-Shaair led Houston with 11 tackles.
 
Minnesota running back Aaron Jones Sr. (UTEP) contributed 92 total yards for Minnesota in its 23-16 victory over Tampa Bay, rushing for 58 yards on 17 carries while adding five receptions for 34 yards. Former Florida Atlantic standout James Pierre added eight tackles, including five solo stops.
 
It marked a good week for former WKU standouts as tight end Tyler Higbee led the Los Angeles Rams with eight receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown against Denver, and wide receiver Malachi Corley continued to provide a spark in the return game for Cleveland, recording 104 kickoff-return yards on four attempts, including a 28-yard long. He ranks fifth in the league with 231 kick return yards through three weeks.
 
Other former CUSA players making contributions in week three included former Louisiana Tech standout L'Jarius Sneed with three tackles and a fumble recovery for Kansas City; former Rice standout Luke McCaffrey added 90 kickoff-return yards on three attempts for Washington; former CUSA defensive stalwarts Kevin Byard (MTSU) and Milton Williams (LA Tech) each recorded five tackles and three solo stops for New England; former Louisiana Tech standout Tre' Harris led the Los Angeles Chargers with six receptions for 76 yards; former UTSA standout Riq Woolen recorded five tackles, including three solo stops, for Philadelphia.
 
Click here for a complete list of the 83 former CUSA players featured on NFL rosters for the 2026 season.