Bulls in the Pros ‘21: Week 3

With 11 former Bulls listed on NFL rosters and practice squads, the season has gotten out to a hot start for those who hail from USF.

Jason Pierre-Paul- Tampa Bay Buccaneers OLB

Reigning Super Bowl champ Jason Pierre-Paul started for 28 consecutive games for the Bucs before a shoulder injury sidelined him for their matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. So far this season, JPP has accumulated nine tackles and one pass defended as the Bucs are 2-1 on the season.

With week four looming and a trip to Foxboro, JPP’s status is still up in the air and is looking doubtful for the hotly anticipated matchup against the New England Patriots. In his place, JPP has been mentoring rookie Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and has had high praises for the first round pick out of Washington.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling- Green Bay Packers WR

Thus far in the 2021 NFL season, MVS has six catches for 76 yards and one (very clutch) touchdown reception with the Packers sitting at 2-1 on the year. Against San Francisco 49ers, MVS had three catches for 59 yards and a score in the back corner of the end zone while giving high praise to Aaron Rodgers.

Although the Packers squeaked by the 49ers with a last second field goal, MVS did leave the game in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury. Packers Offensive Coordinator Matt LaFleur said they will continue to evaluate the soft tissue injury this week, so his status in the week for game against Pittsburgh is questionable.

D’Ernest Johnson- Cleveland Browns RB

Listed as a running back and kick returner, Johnson hasn’t had much of an impact so far in this season in Cleveland. After being the primary kick returner in the 2020 season and averaging 25.1 yards per return, Johnson has been superseded by Demetric Felton three game into the season.

His stats at running back are marginal as well, netting two carries for nine yards in the Browns’ win over the Bears in week 1.

Marlon Mack- Indianapolis Colts RB

Mack missed the nearly the entire 2020 NFL season with a torn achilles in week 1, and as a result he slipped down a loaded running back depth chart in Indianapolis. The Colts did re-sign Mack in March and sits fourth on the depth chart.

In week two, Mack got five carries for 16 yards against the Rams as the Colts have started the year 0-3. He’s been a healthy scratch in week one and week three, and his status for the week four matchup against Miami is up in the air as it looks like the Colts are trying to find a trade partner.

Mitchell Wilcox- Cincinnati Bengals TE

After spending time on the Bengals practice squad, Wilcox was rewarded for his efforts by being promoted to the active squad and is listed third on the depth chart. He has not recorded any statistics so far in the 2021 season.

Rodney Adams- Chicago Bears WR

Adams had a quiet start to his career in the NFL after being drafted in the fifth round in Minnesota in 2017. He was later signed with the Colts in 2018 and was waived in 2020. The Bears ended up signing him a few weeks later, but was cut two weeks later in the final roster cuts and was then put on the practice squad.

However, the 2021 pre-season came and Adams was making plays like he was back in Ray Jay wearing green and gold. Adams is currently listed on the practice squad.

Austin Reiter- New Orleans Saints C

After spending two seasons with the Chiefs, including a Super Bowl victory in 2019, Reiter was released (along with most of the offensive line in Kansas City). Reiter found his way to New Orleans where he was signed to the practice squad earlier this month.

He has quickly been promoted to the active squad three days after signing, and is currently serving as a back up lineman for the Saints.

Deadrin Senat- Atlanta Falcons DT

Senat spent last season on the practice squad with the Falcons, but an injury currently has him listed on the IR in Atlanta.

Mike Love- Buffalo Bills DE

Love is currently on the practice squad for the Bills, he has been with them since being signed undrafted out of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Mazzi Wilkins - Arizona Cardinals CB

After a brief stint in the CFL with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Wilkins was signed to the Cardinals practice squad on September 22nd.

Bruce Hector- Detroit Lions DT

Hector has bounced from a few NFL teams, including the Titans, Cardinals, Eagles (twice), and the Panthers, but has found a new home in Detroit. Hector was signed to the Lions practice squad in early September, where he’s been protected from other team’s signing him twice thus far.