Week 6 of the NFL season concluded with 11 Maryland football alumni seeing the field.
Arizona Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland netted a game-winning 43-yard field goal against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Cardinals did not score a single touchdown in the 18-16 win. But the leg of Ryland lifted Arizona past an NFC West divisional heavyweight.
The Rams scored with 47 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. On the ensuing kickoff, punter Ethan Evans kicked into the end zone, bringing the ball out to the 35-yard line. Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett completed a 21-yard pass. An unnecessary roughness penalty then moved the ball into position for Ryland.
The Lebanon, Pennsylvania, native drilled the kick and scored all points. Sunday he made a single-game career-high of six field goals. Ryland has converted 14 out of 16 attempted field goals, averaging an 87.5% success rate in six games.
“We [the kicking unit] are trying to go 1-0 every kick,” said Ryland postgame. “The more we can stay in that mindset, focus on our process and reset our process each time, it’s monotonous but it works.”
Ryland has found his home in Arizona, now thriving in his third season with the team. It created career stability for the 27-year-old after being released by the New England Patriots in 2024, when he lost the preseason kicking competition to now Tennessee Titan, Joey Syle.
The Cardinals aren’t expected to contend deeply in the NFC West in 2026. Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. being traded to the Houston Texans is one of the reasons why.
However, underdog upset wins against projected playoff teams are key when building for the future.
Arizona returns home Sunday to take on the Denver Broncos at 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS.
2026 Alumni
- Jacksonville Jaguars safety Jalen Huskey was an inactive healthy scratch against the Texans.
- Offensive lineman Alan Herron was released from the New Orleans Saints practice squad on Oct. 16. Herron was not elevated to the active roster through six weeks.
Players
- Washington Commanders tight end Chig Okonkwo caught seven passes for 69 yards against the San Francisco 49ers. Okonkwo caught all targeted passes and led Washington in receiving yards on Monday.
- Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still made eight tackles against the Kansas City Chiefs.
- Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs caught six passes on seven targets for 44 yards against the 49ers. Diggs returned after missing Week 5 with a hamstring injury. He had been limited in practice on Friday and Saturday.
- Atlanta Falcons linebacker Josh Woods made four tackles against the Chicago Bears. Woods played a season-high 44 snaps on defense after a primary special teams coverage role.
- New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks made four tackles and defended a pass against the Saints.
- Commanders safety Nick Cross made two tackles against the 49ers. Cross entered the game questionable due to illness. Monday marked his first action since Week 2 after also dealing with an undisclosed internal injury. He had a full week of practice with no restrictions.
- Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman DJ Glaze played 66 snaps against the Buffalo Bills. He received a 75% overall blocking grade from Pro Football Focus.
- Bills running back Ty Johnson caught two passes for 24 yards against the Raiders. He rushed for three yards on one carry in the run game.
- Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson played seven special teams blocking snaps against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Corey Bullock did not see offensive snaps against the Philadelphia Eagles. Starting left guard Damien Lewis returned after he sat out with a UCL injury in Week 4. Bullock moved back to a primary depth role and played four special teams blocking snaps.
- Bills wide receiver DJ Moore did not play against the Raiders. Moore has missed two straight weeks with a left shoulder injury, which has lingered since Week 2.
- Eagles cornerback Jakorian Bennett did not make his season debut against the Panthers. Bennett dealt with a preseason knee injury and had his 21-day practice window opened on Oct. 14. He was limited in practice throughout the week.
- Miami Dolphins safety Dante Trader Jr. had a Week 6 bye.
- Dolphins defensive tackle Jordan Phillips had a Week 6 bye.
- Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Tai Felton had a Week 6 bye.
- Vikings wide receiver Jeshaun Jones had a Week 6 bye.
Practice Squad & Injured Reserve
- Commanders defensive tackle Byron Cowart remained on the practice squad for Week 6.
- Chargers offensive lineman Josh Kaltenberger remained on the practice squad for Week 6.
- Bengals safety Beau Brade had a Week 6 bye.
- Dolphins offensive lineman Gottlieb Ayedze had a Week 6 bye.
- 49ers defensive end Sam Okuayinonu remained on injured reserve due to September foot surgery. The team is hoping for a late-season return.
Other Notes
- Linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II was released from the Chicago Bears in September. Hyppolite and the Bears reached a settlement following being waived with an injury designation on Aug. 30. Hyppolite had shoulder surgery in September after the preseason. He had reverted back to the team’s IR after not being claimed in August. He is now a free agent.
- Longtime Terps running back Roman Hemby remained on the Raiders practice squad in Week 6. Hemby was elevated in Week 5, but did not play after starter Ashton Jeanty was active following a questionable injury report designation.
- Former two-year Terps wide receiver Nick DeGennaro signed to the Commanders practice squad on Oct. 7. DeGennaro is listed as a development player on the team’s roster. He spent the offseason and preseason with the Patriots.
Week 7 of the NFL season begins Thursday with the New England Patriots at the Chicago Bears on Prime.