Illinois football players in the NFL preseason: Week 1

Heading into the first week of the 2024 NFL preseason, at least 10 former Illinois football players are getting the golden opportunity of fighting for an NFL roster spot.

Some players put up solid numbers, while others were relatively quiet. Let's take a look at how the former Illini fared during week one.

Illinois football stats from NFL preseason week one

Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

Brown had a quiet day during the Bengals' matchup vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The former Illini running back was held to just 10 yards on five carries. He also caught a pass but didn't pick up any yardage.

Brown is currently the team's second-string running back, behind Zack Moss.

The Bengals next visit the Chicago Bears on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. CT.

Denzel Daxon, DT, Dallas Cowboys

Another quiet day – the former Illini nose tackle assisted on a sack in the Cowboys' 14-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the final seconds.

Daxon signed with the Cowboys earlier this year as an undrafted free agent. Right now, he's in the third rotation for the team's RDT spot.

The Cowboys take on the Las Vegas Raiders at 9:00 p.m. CT on Saturday.

Tommy DeVito, QB, New York Giants

Tommy DeVito, AKA, "Tommy Cutlets," became a league favorite for a brief stretch last season, leading the Giants to three wins in a row, as the team's starting quarterback, Daniel Jones, was out with an injury. DeVito threw for five touchdowns and zero picks during the stretch.

Anyways, the former Illini quarterback wasn't too shabby during the Giants' 14-3 win vs. the Detroit Lions – completing 8-of-15 pass attempts for 92 yards. He led the Giants to two scoring drives, both ending in touchdowns.

DeVito is battling Drew Lock for the team's backup quarterback spot. The Giants take on the Houston Texans on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. CT.

Milo Eifler, LB, Atlanta Falcons

The former Illini standout had a solid performance in the Falcons' 20-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Eifler posted three tackles on the day – two of them solo. One was a tackle-for-loss. The linebacker also recorded a quarterback hit.

As it stands now, Eifler is in the third rotation at the team's LILB spot. Atlanta takes on the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. CT.

Justin Hardee Sr., CB, Cleveland Browns

Entering his eighth season in the league, Justin Hardee Sr. is getting another opportunity with his hometown Cleveland Browns.

The veteran cornerback had a solid seven-tackle performance in the Browns' 23-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Of those seven tackles, five were solo.

Hardee is slated as the Browns' second-string RCB, behind Martin Emerson Jr. Cleveland hosts Minnesota on Saturday at 3:25 p.m. CT.

Quan Martin, FS, Washington Commanders

It was a good day for Martin – recording a tackle-for-loss during the Commanders' 20-17 loss to the Jets. The former Illini safety finished the day with two tackles, one solo.

Martin is currently the team's starting free safety. He'll have his next opportunity to prove his starter status when the Commanders visit the Miami Dolphins on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. CT.

Chase McLaughlin, K, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After a stellar season, converting 29-of-31 field goal attempts, Chase McLaughlin is returning to the NFL for a sixth season.

McLaughlin made one of his two attempts in the Bucs' 17-14 win over the Bengals – hitting from 35 yards and missing from 51 yards. He converted on both extra-point attempts.

Del'Shawn Phillips, LB, Houston Texans

It was a decent day for the former Illini linebacker, as Phillips tallied two tackles, one solo.

Phillips is entering his fifth season in the league. He played in all 17 games for the Baltimore Ravens last season, recording 11 solo tackles and recovering a fumble.

He is currently in the second rotation for the "SAM" linebacker spot. The Texans take on the Giants on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. CT.

Casey Washington, WR, Atlanta Falcons

We're tracking another Atlanta Falcon now, this time, it's Casey Washington, who played well in the Falcons' loss. Washington hauled in three receptions for 27 yards, finishing second on the team in receiving. His longest catch went for 16 yards.

The rookie is currently in the second rotation, behind Darnell Mooney.

Isaiah Williams, WR, Detroit Lions

Last but not least, we have arguably the most interesting player on this list, as Williams pretty much played a hybrid role for the Orange and Blue.

He made the most of his NFL debut, leading the team in receiving in the Lions' 14-3 loss to the Giants. Williams caught all four balls thrown his way for 35 yards.

As it stands right now, Williams is in the third rotation on a pretty loaded Lions roster.

He'll get his next opportunity to shine when Detroit visits the Kansas City Chiefs at 3:00 p.m. CT on Saturday.