BATON ROUGE – LSU has 12 of its former football players on NFL teams that are still alive as the playoffs head into the Divisional Round this weekend.
The Tigers have at least one player represented on seven of the eight teams that remain in the NFL Playoffs with the exception being the Green Bay Packers. Of the 12 former Tigers on playoff rosters, nine are active, including five starters, and will be in action this weekend.
Leading the way for the Tigers are three starters on the Atlanta Falcons, a group that includes rookie linebacker Deion Jones, defensive lineman Tyson Jackson and cornerback Jalen Collins. The Falcons host Seattle, which features former LSU running back Terrenece Magee, at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday on FOX.
Saturday’s other game has former Tiger Alfred Blue and the Houston Texans traveling to New England to face Barkevious Mingo and the Patriots. Kickoff for the Texans and Patriots is scheduled for 7:15 on Saturday night on CBS.
On Sunday, Zach Mettenberger and the Steelers travel to face former Tiger Spencer Ware and the Kansas City Chiefs at Noon on NBC. Mettenberger is the third team quarterback for the Steelers, while Ware has emerged as the starter for the Chiefs and he leads the franchise in rushing with 921 and three TDs this year. Ware has also caught 33 passes for 447 yards and two scores.
Finally, on Sunday afternoon Morris Claiborne and the Dallas Cowboys host the Packers at 3:40 on FOX. Claiborne is expected to be back in the starting lineup on Sunday after missing the final nine games of the regular season with a groin injury.
The following is a breakdown of all former LSU players on rosters for teams in the NFL Divisional Playoffs:
NFL Team LSU Player (Pos.) Role
Steelers Zach Mettenberger (QB) Backup
Jerald Hawkins (OL) Inactive – IR
Texans Alfred Blue (RB) Backup
Kenny Hilliard (RB) Inactive – PS
Seahawks Terrence Magee (RB) Backup
Kansas City Chiefs Spencer Ware (RB) Starter
Atlanta Falcons Deion Jones (LB) Starter
Tyson Jackson (DL) Starter
Jalen Collins (CB) Starter
Dallas Cowboys Mo Claiborne (CB) Starter
La’el Collins (OL) Inactive – IR
New England Patriots Barkevious Mingo (LB) Backup