UConn in the NFL: Week 5

Robert "Reggie" McClain, Atlanta Falcons: 3 tackles (2 solo)

McClain played only 19 of 68 defensive snaps in the Falcons 30-20 loss to the New York Giants.  The Falcons looked more to 7 year veteran Josh Wilson who specializes in ankle tackles.  There may be a change in personnel coming for Atlanta looking to play Wilson over McClain as the starting nickel corner.  Reggie needs to make the most of all of his snaps on the field this coming week against the explosive Chicago Bears featuring Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Martellus Bennett and Matt Forte.

Will Beatty, New York Giants:

Beatty was unable to record a tackle in his 4th straight game, but played extremely well again in the Giants 30-20 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.  The offensive lineman once again played all of the offensive snaps and helped with only allowing 1 sack on Eli Manning and contributed to the Giants going over 100 yards on the ground for the 3rd straight week. Beatty and the Giants have a huge divisional game coming up on Sunday night against the Eagles where hopefully we will hear, "Will Beatty, UConn." during introductions.  Us at theuconnblog are not the only ones who are high on Beatty right now as here is an article from the Big Blue View from Saturday praising Beatty's effort.

Danny Lansanah, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 10 tackles (7 solo), 2 PD, 1 INT, 1 TD

He did it again.  Danny Lansanah, the 29 year old who played for the Hartford Colonials at one time, played his best game in an NFL uniform on Sunday.  For the second time in three weeks, he intercepted a pass and returned it all the way back to the endzone.  This time, the interception came off Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer Drew Brees.  With 11:20 left in the 3rd quarter, as Brees was getting hit, he threw up a duck which went right to the hands of our own Danny Lansanah.  Lansanah took off towards the endzone, breaking two tackles and eventually flipping into the Promised Land giving Tampa Bay a 24-13 lead over the New Orleans Saints. To go along with the pick six, Lansanah was 2nd on the team in tackles with 10.  He played all 91 defensive snaps in the loss to the Saints and he is there to stay. Just an incredible story.  Lansanah and the Bucs take on the Baltimore Ravens next week.

Tyvon Branch, Oakland Raiders: Bye Week/Injured Reserve

Was named Big East Special Teams Player of the Week in UConn's 38-19 win over Rutgers on November 3, 2007.

Sio Moore, Oakland Raiders: Bye Week

Moore had a huge week off to rest his ankle and hopefully can be back next week against the San Diego Chargers and the red hot Philip Rivers.  Hopefully he will play against former Huskies Kendall Reyes and Donald Brown.

Marcus Easley, Buffalo Bills: DNP (Knee)

Easley still remains out with a sprained MCL.  The Bills special teams had a few poor punt coverages this week that left some fans clamoring for Easley.  Ron Brooks, who was filling in for Easley, went down with a scary neck injury while covering a punt.  Brooks has been discharged from the hospital and is thankfully okay, but it is another blow to a unit that is being decimated by injuries.  Based on the diagnosis, Easley is expected to be out 2-6 more weeks.

Jordan Todman, Jacksonville Jaguars: 2 catches (2 targets), 23 yards; 2 kick returns, 55 yards (long of 28)

Although Todman did not get a carry, he led Jaguar running backs in snaps with 23, a season high. He did good things when he had the ball as is shown in his stats, and he continues to consistently get solid yardage on kick returns. It came out today that the Jaguars view Todman strictly as a third-down back. He is apparently not in the cards for being the every-down back, even though head coach Gus Bradley said this week that the running back position is an open competition. It appears as though Storm Johnson will get a chance to win the job.

Kendall Reyes, San Diego Chargers: 1 tackle

Reyes led the Chargers defensive line with 29 snaps. Although he only recorded one tackle, Reyes was able to gain consistent leverage on the line and helped the Chargers defense hold the Jets to just 151 total yards. The Chargers take on the lowly Raiders next week in their debut of head coach Tony Sporano.

Dwayne Gratz, Jacksonville Jaguars: DNP (Concussion)

As of Monday, Gratz was still in the NFL's concussion program due to a fall he took against San Diego. He missed all of last week. An update for his status should come out Wednesday in regard to Sunday's game in Tennessee.

Shamar Stephen, Minnesota Vikings: 1 tackle

Stephen played 16 snaps (least on the defensive line) on Thursday night in the Vikings 42-10 loss to Green Bay. Stephen and the Vikings take on division rival Detroit this Sunday in Minnesota.

Dan Orlovsky, Detroit Lions: DNP

Orlovsky may have been on the sidelines during Sunday's 17-14 loss to the Bills, but remember when he started at quarterback for the Colts with Donald Brown at running back? It very well may be the most exciting game in Huskies in the NFL history.

FB Anthony Sherman, Kansas City Chiefs: 1 reception for 12 yards

The Shermanator was active in the passing game against the 49ers receiving two targets from the backfield. Though KC abandoned the run when they were forced to play catch up, look out for Andy Reid to get back to dialing up runs for the dynamic backfield of Knile Davis and Jamaal Charles finding room behind our own Anthony Sherman.

RB Donald Brown, San Diego Chargers:

With a second child expected this week for Donald and Mallory Brown, DB34 may not be available next Sunday regardless of whether or not he is cleared from his concussion he suffered against the Jets. Before exiting the game, Brown couldn't find a lot of room against a stout Jets defense, though rookie Branden Oliver came in and chalked up over 180 yards of offense in his absence. Donald sadly may have just lost his starting job, but as we already know, that has never stopped him before from finding success.

TE Ryan Griffin, Houston Texans: 1 catch for 8 yards

In his first catch since week one of the 2014 season, Ryan Griffin hopefully proved he can add a little extra juice to the 3-2 Texans. Look out for Griffin to possibly pose some matchup problems for a Colts team that struggles against tight ends on Thursday night if he gets his number called.

CB Darius Butler, Indianapolis Colts: 2 tackles, 1 TFL

If it wasn't for a Vontae Davis pass interference call, he would have also had his 9^th interception in a Colts uniform. The Indianapolis Colts' nickel back along with the rest of their cornerbacks had an excellent performance on Sunday against the Ravens, keeping every Baltimore receiver under 40 yards. You can catch Butler, along with Ryan Griffin, in action this Thursday night on CBS.

CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson: DNP

Wreh-Wilson was held out after suffering a concussion in last week's loss to the Colts. Blidi started the first four weeks of the season but had struggled mightily. In only his second year as a pro, Wreh-Wilson hopefully used his inactive to prep for the next time the 1-4 Titans need him.