'Horns in the NFL: Marquise Goodwin and Fozzy Whittaker have career days

Hola y'all. We are back with our ‘Horns in the NFL weekly round-up. This season features the fewest Longhorn players in the NFL since I started these series four years ago. Only 26 former Texas players are active on NFL rosters. Additionally, there are three inactive Longhorns: Trey Hopkins, who is on the Bengals' practice squad, and a pair of injured players who will miss the season, Michael Griffin and Lamarr Houston, bringing the total up to 29 professional Longhorns.

Last year, there were 35 Longhorns in the NFL, 38 the year before and 44 in 2013. But with retiring players such as Tarell Brown and Cory Redding, and younger players like Carrington Byndom, Jaxon Shipley and Cedric Reed not making a roster, the number has been decreasing each year. Especially strange is the situation with Jackson Jeffcoat, who went from Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 to undrafted and unemployed after a two-year quiet spell with the Redskins. This trend is a clear reflection of the lack of quality players (or lack of development) in the Longhorn program these past few years, especially on the Offensive Line, where we have only one active player in the pros and he is a backup.

But let's stop with the bad vibes and celebrate the good performances by our kids (41 year-old Phil Dawson included) in the league. On Thursday, Marquise Goodwin accomplished what many great receivers have failed to in the NFL: Burn Darrelle Revis. The speedster had something to celebrate after not qualifying for Rio 2016, as he scored his first TD since his rookie season back in 2013. As Revis found out first-hand, ‘Quise's speed is unmatched in the NFL, and the Bills should take advantage of it.

Goodwin wasn't the only one who had a career day, as Fozzy Whittaker reached 100 yards for first time since HS. Fozzy took the majority of the Carolina Panthers' carries after Jonathan Stewart's injury in the first quarter. Fozzy briefly left to be checked for a concussion, but only missed one drive. With Stewart's status up in the air, look out for another chance for him to beat his record this week. After struggling with several injuries during his career, it is time for karma to pay him back.

Week 3 will also mark the first opportunity to enjoy watching Jamaal Charles rushing the ball. He hasn't played since he injured his right knee in Week 5 of last season. After missing the first two games of this year, Charles will be back in action this week as Adam Schefter reported last Sunday.

Defensively, the two Brians had big nights in tight victories for their teams. The Titans defeated the Lions with two sacks from Orakpo, while Robison had a sack himself and forced a fumble during the Vikes surprising win over the Packers. Kenny Vaccaro and Jordan Hicks were also involved in turnovers, forcing and recovering fumbles respectively.

The bad news came on Monday with the Lamarr Houston injury, as he will miss the rest of the season after a torn ACL. His place in the starting lineup will probably be occupied by Sam Acho, another former Longhorn who had his first 2016 sack last week.

Last but not least, Justin Tucker is continuing to provide victories for the Ravens. He is 5-for-5 on the season including two FGs over 40 yards in the last quarter of the 25-20 victory over the Browns. 18-year veteran Phil Dawson is also perfect on the season after making his first two attempts of the year during the 49ers loss to Fozzy's Carolina Panthers.

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