It’s been a rapid ascent from the practice squad to contributor for Javontee Herndon.
Less than a week from being promoted to the Chargers’ active roster, the former Arkansas wide receiver returned kicks and made a clutch reception in San Diego’s 22-19 loss to the Bears on Monday Night Football.
Herndon’s promotion was the result of star receiver Keenan Allen going down with a season-ending injury. When return man Jacoby Jones was released, Herndon moved into that role.
However, he quickly saw his role expand during the game, as receiver Malcom Floyd went down with an injury in the second quarter.
His first career NFL reception came just before the two-minute warning. It was a 12-yard catch on third and five, keeping the Chargers’ potential game-tying or game-winning drive alive.
Quarterback Philip Rivers targeted him again later in the drive, on another third down, but the pass was knocked away and the Chargers ultimately lost.
Herndon will have to wait an extra week before playing his second career game, though, as San Diego has its bye in Week 10. The Chargers’ next game is Nov. 22 against the Chiefs.
Here is an update on the other 10 former Arkansas players currently on NFL 53-man rosters.
Alvin Bailey – Seattle Seahawks
Week 10: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, vs. Cardinals
The Seahawks had their bye in Week 9.
Season: 7 games, 1 start
Knile Davis – Kansas City Chiefs
Week 10: 3:25 p.m. Sunday, at Broncos
The Chiefs had their bye in Week 9.
Season: 8 games, 0 starts, 21 carries, 51 yards (2.4 yards/carry), 1 touchdown, 2 receptions, 24 yards, 13 kickoff returns, 347 yards
Trey Flowers – New England Patriots
Week 10: 3:25 p.m. Sunday, at Giants
Flowers was inactive for the seventh time this season as the Patriots beat the Redskins 27-10. He played only four snaps in his lone appearance.
Season: 1 game, 0 starts
Brett Goode – Green Bay Packers
Week 10: noon Sunday, vs. Lions
The Packers kicked three extra points and eight punts in their 37-29 loss to the Panthers. Goode was the snapper on all 11 kicks.
He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March, unless the Packers decided to give him an extension for the third time since 2010.
Season: 8 games, 0 starts
Chris Gragg – Buffalo Bills
Week 10: 7:25 p.m. Thursday, at Jets
Gragg played in the Bills’ 33-17 win over the Dolphins, but was not targeted with any passes.
Season: 5 games, 8 receptions, 104 yards
Darren McFadden – Dallas Cowboys
Week 10: noon Sunday, at Buccaneers
Because of injuries to Lance Dunbar and the release of Joseph Randle, McFadden has emerged from the preseason “three-headed attack” to become the Cowboys’ featured running back.
He has done well in the role, rushing for 117 yards on 27 carries in Dallas’ 33-27 overtime loss to the Eagles. It was the second time he eclipsed the century mark in three games, giving him multiple 100-yard games in the same season for the first time since 2012.
If he averages 67.3 yards per game over the second half of the season, McFadden would have more than 1,000 yards for only the second time in his career.
Season: 8 games, 2 starts, 113 carries, 462 yards (4.1 yards/carry), 2 touchdowns, 21 receptions, 166 yards, 0 of 1 passing, 1 kickoff return, 23 yards
Jason Peters – Philadelphia Eagles
Week 10: noon Sunday, vs. Dolphins
For the first time since missing the entire 2012 season, Peters did not start or play in the Eagles’ 33-27 overtime win over the Cowboys. He missed the game with a back injury.
Season: 7 games, 7 starts
Chris Smith – Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 10: noon Sunday, at Ravens
Smith was one of the Jaguars’ seven inactive players in their 28-23 loss to the Jets.
Season: 3 games, 0 starts, 7 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1 pass deflection
Travis Swanson – Detroit Lions
Week 10: noon Sunday, at Packers
The Lions had their bye in Week 9.
Season: 8 games, 8 starts
Jarius Wright – Minnesota Vikings
Week 10: 3:05 p.m. Sunday, at Raiders
Wright caught one pass for 12 yards in the Vikings’ 21-18 overtime win over the Rams.
Season: 8 games, 3 starts, 12 receptions, 192 yards, 1 carry, 29 yards