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Vols in the NFL – Week 2
September 23, 2026 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Former Tennessee wide receiver Josh Palmer found the end zone for the second week in a row, while outside linebacker Byron Young and offensive lineman Trey Smith turned in notable performances during Week 2 action across the NFL.
Palmer hauled in his second touchdown in as many weeks on Thursday night, pulling in a 43-yard scoring reception in the first quarter of the Buffalo Bills' 41-31 victory over the Detroit Lions. The touchdown catch was the first in Buffalo's inaugural game at Highmark Stadium.
Young was a disruptive force in the Los Angeles Rams' 28-6 victory over the New York Giants, recording five tackles, one tackle for loss and three quarterback hits. The former Vol helped lead a Rams defense that limited New York to six points in Monday night's win.
Smith continued his strong start to the season along Kansas City's offensive line, playing all 80 offensive snaps in the Chiefs' 33-30 overtime victory over Indianapolis. Through the first two weeks of the season, he has played all 149 offensive snaps for the Chiefs.
Several other Vols made notable contributions in Week 2. Alvin Kamara rushed nine times for 15 yards and added five receptions for seven yards in New Orleans' 24-17 win over Baltimore. Alontae Taylor recorded five tackles and two tackles for loss against Philadelphia, while Theo Jackson posted three tackles and a pass breakup in Minnesota's 9-3 win over Chicago.
Rookie cornerback Jermod McCoy made his NFL debut for Las Vegas, recording two tackles in the Raiders' 26-14 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Colton Hood made his first career start for the Giants, finishing with three tackles against the Rams.
A full recap of Tennessee's representatives across the league can be found below.
Joey Aguilar – QB – Jaguars
Practice squad.
Derek Barnett – DE – Browns
Made a pair of tackles with one TFL in a 23-19 win over Tampa Bay.
Chris Brazzell II – WR – Panthers
Injured reserve.
Morgan Cox – LS – Titans
Snapped eight times as the Titans battled the Eagles.
Joshua Dobbs – QB – Lions
Did not see any action.
Bryson Eason – DT – Chiefs
Did not see any action.
Princeton Fant – TE – Cowboys
Injured reserve.
Kamal Hadden – CB – Packers
Notched two tackles in a 20-17 overtime victory over the Jets.
Colton Hood – CB – Giants
Made his first career start against the Los Angeles Rams, posting three tackles.
Hendon Hooker – QB – Titans
Practice squad.
Jalin Hyatt – WR – Giants
Practice squad.
Theo Jackson – DB – Vikings
Recorded three tackles, with a PBU in a 9-3 win over the Bears.
Jauan Jennings – WR – Vikings
Did not see any action.
Velus Jones Jr. – WR – Seahawks
Practice squad.
Joshua Josephs – OLB – Commanders
Saw action for the second week in a row, playing seven defensive snaps vs. Dallas.
Alvin Kamara – RB – Saints
Rushed nine times for 15 yards, with five receptions for seven yards in a 24-17 win over Baltimore.
Cade Mays – C – Lions
Injured reserve.
Jaylen McCollough – S – Rams
Posted one tackle and a QB hit in the Rams' Monday night win over the Giants.
Jermod McCoy – CB – Raiders
Made his NFL debut in a 26-14 win over the Chargers, totaling two tackles.
Jalen McMurray – CB – Titans
Practice squad.
Joe Milton III – QB – Cowboys
Practice squad.
Omarr Norman-Lott – DT – Chiefs
Injured reserve.
Josh Palmer – WR – Bills
Hauled in a 43-yard touchdown reception in the Bills' 41-31 win over the Lions on Thursday night.
James Pearce Jr. – DE – Falcons
NFL exempt list.
Dylan Sampson – RB – Browns
Injured reserve.
Elijah Simmons – DT – Buccaneers
Did not see any action.
Jabari Small – RB – Lions
Practice squad.
Trey Smith – OG – Chiefs
Started and played all 80 offensive snaps in Kansas City's 33-30 overtime win vs. Indianapolis.
Alontae Taylor – CB – Titans
Notched five tackles with two TFLs vs. the Eagles.
Dont'e Thornton Jr. – WR – Raiders
Injured reserve.
Cedric Tillman – WR – Saints
Practice squad.
Shy Tuttle – DT – Commanders
Played 17 defensive snaps against Dallas.
Darnell Wright – OT – Bears
Started and played all 74 offensive snaps vs. the Vikings.
Jaylen Wright – RB – Dolphins
Rushed two times for 11 yards, while returning three kickoffs for 79 yards against San Francisco.
Byron Young – OLB – Rams
Posted five tackles with one TFL and three QB hits in a 28-6 win over the Giants.
Palmer hauled in his second touchdown in as many weeks on Thursday night, pulling in a 43-yard scoring reception in the first quarter of the Buffalo Bills' 41-31 victory over the Detroit Lions. The touchdown catch was the first in Buffalo's inaugural game at Highmark Stadium.
Young was a disruptive force in the Los Angeles Rams' 28-6 victory over the New York Giants, recording five tackles, one tackle for loss and three quarterback hits. The former Vol helped lead a Rams defense that limited New York to six points in Monday night's win.
Smith continued his strong start to the season along Kansas City's offensive line, playing all 80 offensive snaps in the Chiefs' 33-30 overtime victory over Indianapolis. Through the first two weeks of the season, he has played all 149 offensive snaps for the Chiefs.
Several other Vols made notable contributions in Week 2. Alvin Kamara rushed nine times for 15 yards and added five receptions for seven yards in New Orleans' 24-17 win over Baltimore. Alontae Taylor recorded five tackles and two tackles for loss against Philadelphia, while Theo Jackson posted three tackles and a pass breakup in Minnesota's 9-3 win over Chicago.
Rookie cornerback Jermod McCoy made his NFL debut for Las Vegas, recording two tackles in the Raiders' 26-14 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Colton Hood made his first career start for the Giants, finishing with three tackles against the Rams.
A full recap of Tennessee's representatives across the league can be found below.
Joey Aguilar – QB – Jaguars
Practice squad.
Derek Barnett – DE – Browns
Made a pair of tackles with one TFL in a 23-19 win over Tampa Bay.
Chris Brazzell II – WR – Panthers
Injured reserve.
Morgan Cox – LS – Titans
Snapped eight times as the Titans battled the Eagles.
Joshua Dobbs – QB – Lions
Did not see any action.
Bryson Eason – DT – Chiefs
Did not see any action.
Princeton Fant – TE – Cowboys
Injured reserve.
Kamal Hadden – CB – Packers
Notched two tackles in a 20-17 overtime victory over the Jets.
Colton Hood – CB – Giants
Made his first career start against the Los Angeles Rams, posting three tackles.
Hendon Hooker – QB – Titans
Practice squad.
Jalin Hyatt – WR – Giants
Practice squad.
Theo Jackson – DB – Vikings
Recorded three tackles, with a PBU in a 9-3 win over the Bears.
Jauan Jennings – WR – Vikings
Did not see any action.
Velus Jones Jr. – WR – Seahawks
Practice squad.
Joshua Josephs – OLB – Commanders
Saw action for the second week in a row, playing seven defensive snaps vs. Dallas.
Alvin Kamara – RB – Saints
Rushed nine times for 15 yards, with five receptions for seven yards in a 24-17 win over Baltimore.
Cade Mays – C – Lions
Injured reserve.
Jaylen McCollough – S – Rams
Posted one tackle and a QB hit in the Rams' Monday night win over the Giants.
Jermod McCoy – CB – Raiders
Made his NFL debut in a 26-14 win over the Chargers, totaling two tackles.
Jalen McMurray – CB – Titans
Practice squad.
Joe Milton III – QB – Cowboys
Practice squad.
Omarr Norman-Lott – DT – Chiefs
Injured reserve.
Josh Palmer – WR – Bills
Hauled in a 43-yard touchdown reception in the Bills' 41-31 win over the Lions on Thursday night.
James Pearce Jr. – DE – Falcons
NFL exempt list.
Dylan Sampson – RB – Browns
Injured reserve.
Elijah Simmons – DT – Buccaneers
Did not see any action.
Jabari Small – RB – Lions
Practice squad.
Trey Smith – OG – Chiefs
Started and played all 80 offensive snaps in Kansas City's 33-30 overtime win vs. Indianapolis.
Alontae Taylor – CB – Titans
Notched five tackles with two TFLs vs. the Eagles.
Dont'e Thornton Jr. – WR – Raiders
Injured reserve.
Cedric Tillman – WR – Saints
Practice squad.
Shy Tuttle – DT – Commanders
Played 17 defensive snaps against Dallas.
Darnell Wright – OT – Bears
Started and played all 74 offensive snaps vs. the Vikings.
Jaylen Wright – RB – Dolphins
Rushed two times for 11 yards, while returning three kickoffs for 79 yards against San Francisco.
Byron Young – OLB – Rams
Posted five tackles with one TFL and three QB hits in a 28-6 win over the Giants.
Players Mentioned
QB
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DL
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DB
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DL
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DB
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DB
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