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Maryland in the NFL: Stefon Diggs shines in Minnesota debut

Catch up with the former Terps who are playing on Sundays.

By Carson Kenney
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Another good weekend of football as it pertains to former Maryland products playing well. We even saw Mr. Diggs on the field for the first time this regular season. Check out who's balling and who's falling as we leave week four in the rear view mirror.

Nolan Carroll, CB, Philadelphia Eagles

Last week's stats: Seven tackles (six solo)

Carroll has been playing well lately after getting burned a few times opening day against the Falcons (namely Julio Jones, who is a MONSTER). Unfortunately, the Eagles have failed to meet expectations to date that followed them into the season. Bradford has been meh and DeMarco Murray is starting to realize that maybe he should have stayed in Dallas, or otherwise gone elsewhere. Carroll though has been very consistent and has been one of a few bright spots for the Eagles so far.

Jon Condo, LS, Oakland Raiders

Last week's stats: None

Oakland lost 22-20 to the Bears, giving Smokin' Jay Cutler and crew their first win of the year. Condo had a pretty busy day as Sebastian Janikowski had two field goals and Marquette King, Oakland's punter, booted the ball five times. Oakland is 2-2 and has been a bit of a mystery as they have played good football in two of their wins, but have looked not so good in their two losses.

Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco 49ers

Last week's stats: DNP (Knee)

Davis did not play after banging up his knee against the Cardinals. He didn't practice all week either so this wasn't really a surprise. What is a surprise though, is just how bad the 49ers are. No one was pinning them to be world-beaters this year, but they have scored only 10 points in the last two weekends and things don't look like they are going to get much better.

Stefon Diggs, WR, Minnesota Vikings

Last week's stats: DNP (Inactive)

Welcome to the NFL Mr. Stefon Diggs. After being inactive for the first three games of the regular season, the former College Park star came to play in the Vikings' 20-23 loss to Denver. Diggs had a great game after an even better preseason, and people took notice. The Vikings listed his emergence as one of the five takeaways from the game and Mike Wallace compared him to himself and all-pro Antonio Brown. Check out that link for a video of his reaction to his first NFL game. Diggs also had a nice moment with former teammate Darius Kilgo of the Broncos after the game, swapping jerseys.

AJ Francis, DT, Miami Dolphins

Last week's stats: DNP (Inactive)

Francis was inactive for the third time this season as the Dolphins continued their tailspin, losing 21-14 to the J-E-T-S. Francis, despite having a pretty good pre-season, has only recorded one tackle in four games this year in the only game he was active. The Dolphins as a franchise are in disarray and Miami will need a drastic turnaround if they want to have any hope of seeing the post-season.

Erin Henderson, LB, New York Jets

Last week's stats: None

Henderson came in to replace an injured David Harris late in the game against Miami on Sunday afternoon but did not get on the stat sheet. Henderson is being used primarily as a second string backer this year but with Harris going down with a leg injury, we may be seeing more of the former Terrapin linebacker.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Last week's stats: Four catches, 31 yards (12-yard long), one touchdown

DHB! Another good week for Heyward-Bey catching the only touchdown pass thrown in the game for Pittsburgh in a truly wacky game that saw the Steelers losing 23-20 after back to back missed field goals from Josh Scobee. Heyward-Bey almost Heyward-Bey'd that catch, but hey, it counted. He's already surpassed all of his season totals from last year (which isn't saying much) but only four games into the season, he seems primed to put up very respectable numbers if he continues this production.

D'Qwell Jackson, LB, Indianapolis Colts

Last week's stats: 17 tackles (10 solo), tackle for a loss

Have a day D'Qwell Jackson. The former Maryland product tallied 17 tackles, 10 of them solo, both of which led all players. The Colts squeaked by the Jaguars, 16-13, which is an accomplishment in and of itself with Andrew Luck out due to injury. Jackson has been a steady captain for Indy's defense all year, and after a shaky start to the season, the Colts are already back to the top of the AFC South.

Darius Kilgo, NT, Denver Broncos

Last week's stats: One tackle

Kilgo had one tackle on Sunday, and the player he tackled was Diggs, his former teammate. These are the moments that as a Maryland fan and as a fan of sports in general, you can't help but crack a smile because of the irony. Kilgo hasn't necessarily put up gaudy numbers, but he is certainly crafting a successful rookie season so far for a Broncos team that is 4-0 and looking like a legit threat to make it far in the AFC.

Dexter McDougle, CB, New York Jets

Last week's stats: One tackle

The Jets are 3-1 and playing solid football for a New York team that is usually the worse of the two. McDougle only had one tackle on Sunday in the Jets' win against the Dolphins in London but is competing for playing time on a team with a good secondary. This is essentially his rookie year in the league after being injured all of last year but should compete for playing time moving forward.

Nick Novak, K, Houston Texans

Last week's stats: 0/1 FG's (51 yard attempt), 3/3 XP's

Novak signed with Houston last week before this weekend's game against the Falcons where they got throttled by Matt Ryan and co. Novak missed his only field goal attempt, a 51 yarder, but I wouldn't be worried about him going anywhere, especially after a historically bad weekend for kickers across the league. Novak has yet to hit a field goal this year after being cut by the Chargers before the regular season started but that should change soon.

Torrey Smith, WR, San Francisco 49ers

Last week's stats: Two catches, 54 yards (47 yard long)

Smith led the 49ers with just two catches in their 17-3 loss to the Packers. The former Maryland wideout wasn't shy to let everyone know how frustrated he was as his body language seemed to be an issue after the game. The 49ers stink, and it seems to be falling on the shoulders of Colin Kaepernick. With pass catching options such as Smith, Davis, and veteran Anquan Boldin, it's hard to believe the 49ers are only putting up seven and three points a game.

Randy Starks, DL, Cleveland Browns

Last week's stats: Two tackles (one solo), one for a loss

The Browns lost to the Chargers 27-30 on Sunday moving them to 1-3 on the year. Starks has yet to be the player they envisioned when they signed him this off-season but a lot of that is due to the Browns defensive schemes.

Josh Wilson, CB, Detroit Lions

Last week's stats: Four tackles (four solo), one for a loss

Wilson played well on Monday night after coming in to replace an injured Darius Slay, featuring a bad snap to Rusty Wilson that Josh Wilson turned into a big tackle for a loss (not a sack, although it looked like one). The Lions however lost again and are the only 0-4 team in the league right now, with little hope to turn things around enough to reach the post season.

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