NFL Update: Week 3

September 28, 2005 | Football

By: UNC Athletic Communications

Sept. 28, 2005

Former Tar Heel running back Willie Parker is among the NFL's top running backs after three weeks of play. Parker, a 2004 UNC graduate, ranks third among all NFL running backs and sits at the top of the board in the AFC with 327 total rushing yards. The defending Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots were the first team to hold him to under 100 yards in the third week, when he rushed for 55 yards.

Parker's former Carolina teammate and current Oakland Raider, Ronald Curry, will miss the remainder of the 2005 NFL season after re-injuring his right Achilles tendon. The injury occurred in the final two minutes of the Raiders' week 2 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Week 3 performances by former Tar Heels in the NFL:

Sam Aiken, Buffalo Bills - Played wide receiver and had one catch for 12 yards in the Bills' 24-16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

Ethan Albright, Washington Redskins - Open date

Dre' Bly, Detroit Lions - Open date

Jason Brown, Baltimore Ravens - Open date

Alge Crumpler, Atlanta Falcons - Started at tight end and had three receptions for 35 yards, including one of the game's longest receptions for a 21 yard gain, in the Falcons' 24-16 victory over the Buffalo Bills. He also recorded one tackle.

Ronald Curry, Oakland Raiders - Out for the season due to Achilles tendon injury incurred during week two.

Russell Davis, Arizona Cardinals - Started at nose tackle and had two tackles in the Cardinals' 37-12 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Ebenezer Ekuban, Denver Broncos - Played defensive end and recorded three tackles and a sack for a loss of four yards in the Broncos' 30-10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Greg Ellis, Dallas Cowboys - Started at defensive end and recorded three tackles, one sack, and two pass deflections in the Cowboys' 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

Madison Hedgecock, St. Louis Rams - Played tight end in the Rams' 31-27 victory over the Tennessee Titans.

William Henderson, Green Bay Packers - Played fullback and had one rushing attempt in the Packers' 17-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also had two receptions for four yards and one tackle on special teams.

Zachary Hilton, New Orleans Saints - Played tight end in the Saints' 33-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Sedrick Hodge, New Orleans Saints - Started at outside linebacker and had one tackle in the Saints' 33-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Vonnie Holliday, Miami Dolphins - Started at defensive tackle and recorded two tackles in the Dolphins' 27-24 victory over the Carolina Panthers. He also recovered a fumble and returned it for 12 yards.

Keith Newman, Minnesota Vikings - Played linebacker and had one pass deflection and an interception in the Vikings' 33-16 victory over the New Orleans Saints.

Willie Parker, Pittsburgh Steelers - Started at running back and ran for 55 yards on 17 carries in the Steelers' 23-20 loss to the New England Patriots.

Julius Peppers, Carolina Panthers - Started at defensive end and had four tackles and one pass deflection in the Panthers' 27-24 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

Jeff Reed, Pittsburgh Steelers - Started at kicker and made two field goals from 33 and 24 yards. He also kicked two successful extra points in the Steelers 23-20 loss to the New England Patriots.

Dexter Reid, Indianapolis Colts - Played defensive back for the Colts' in their 13-6 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

Jeff Saturday, Indianapolis Colts - Started at center and helped the offensive line block for 111 rushing yards and 228 passing yards in the Colts' 13-6 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

Gerald Sensabaugh, Jacksonville Jaguars - Played safety in the Jaguars' 26-20 victory over the New York Jets. He also had one tackle and a fumble recovery on special teams.

Brain Simmons, Cincinnati Bengals - Started at outside linebacker and had three tackles, one interception, and a pass deflections in the Bengals' 24-7 victory over the Chicago Bears.

Ryan Sims, Kansas City Chiefs - Expected to miss six to eight weeks of the season due to a foot injury incurred on September 16.

Jeb Terry, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Played guard in the Buccaneers' 17-16 victory over the Green Bay Packers.

David Thornton, Indianapolis Colts - Started at outside linebacker and recorded six tackles in the Colts' 13-6 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

Michael Waddell, Tennessee Titans - Played cornerback and had four tackles in the Titans' 31-27 loss to the St. Louis Rams

Bracy Walker, Detroit Lions - Open date

Greg Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers - Played long snapper in the Steelers' 23-30 loss to the New England Patriots.