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The University of Utah Athletics
Jaylon Johnson (1) returned from IR in November and is part of a Bears squad right in the mix for the NFC North title.
Photo by: David Banks-Imagn Images
Utes in the Pros: Week 17
12/23/2025 10:32 AM | Football
SALT LAKE CITY – Eight NFL teams with a Utah Football connection are playoff-bound and one squad with a Pro Ute has already clinched its division as a holiday-themed Week 17 nears.
Overall, 16 Utah Football alumni are projected to suit up in Week 17 and a total of 26 former Utes are currently on team rosters throughout the league.
How to watch Pro Utes this week
Week 17 Viewing Guide (players on active rosters)
Philadelphia has locked up the NFC East title with Britain Covey handling punt return duties, while New England and Buffalo are both headed to the postseason and in a battle for the AFC East crown—those squads boast a combined four Pro Utes. It's a similar tale in the AFC West with Denver and the LA Chargers right in the mix and totaling five Utah alumni.
Elsewhere in the NFC, Jaylon Johnson returned from IR in Week 13 and has helped the Chicago Bears to an 11-4 record; the Bears can clinch the North division with either a win or a Green Bay loss this weekend. Connor O'Toole and the Seattle Seahawks have already clinched a playoff spot and currently lead the NFC West.
Utah continues to be represented in the pro coaching ranks with three alumni on the sidelines. Alex Whittingham is in his eighth season in the Kansas City Chiefs organization and first as assistant defensive line coach, while Brian Johnson is in his second season as the Washington Commanders' assistant head coach and offensive pass game coordinator. In addition, former Utah quarterback Mike McCoy is currently leading the Tennessee Titans as interim head coach.
Recapping Week 16
Cody Barton | LB | Tennessee
Miles Battle | DB | New England
Cole Bishop | S | Buffalo
Garett Bolles | OL | Denver
Terrell Burgess | S | New Orleans
Britain Covey | WR | Philadelphia
Mohamoud Diabate | LB | Cleveland
Jonah Elliss | LB | Denver
Tyler Huntley | QB | Baltimore
Jaylon Johnson | DB | Chicago
Dalton Kincaid | TE | Buffalo
Devin Lloyd | LB | Jacksonville
Connor O'Toole | LB | Seattle
Tim Patrick | WR | Jacksonville
Sione Vaki | RB | Detroit
Mitch Wishnowsky | P | Buffalo
UTES IN THE NFL (26)
Updated 12.23.25
Offensive Line (1)
Garett Bolles................................. Denver
Quarterbacks (1)
Tyler Huntley............................ Baltimore
Running Backs (1)
Sione Vaki..................................... Detroit
Wide Receivers (3)
Britain Covey......................... Philadelphia
Tim Patrick............................ Jacksonville
Devaughn Vele.............. New Orleans (IR)
Tight Ends (3)
Dalton Kincaid.............................. Buffalo
Caleb Lohner......................... Denver (PS)
Thomas Yassmin............ LA Chargers (PS)
Defensive Line (1)
Junior Tafuna....................... Houston (PS)
Linebackers (7)
Cody Barton............................. Tennessee
Mohamoud Diabate.................... Cleveland
Jonah Elliss................................... Denver
Devin Lloyd........................... Jacksonville
Connor O'Toole............................. Seattle
Karene Reid........................... Denver (IR)
Nephi Sewell................. New Orleans (PS)
Defensive Backs (8)
Miles Battle......................... New England
Cole Bishop.................................. Buffalo
Julian Blackmon............. New Orleans (IR)
Terrell Burgess...................... New Orleans
Jaylon Johnson............................. Chicago
Clark Phillips III..................... Atlanta (IR)
Zemaiah Vaughn............... Minnesota (PS)
Marcus Williams............ LA Chargers (PS)
Special Teams (1)
Mitch Wishnowsky (P).................. Buffalo
FOLLOW THE UTES
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.
Overall, 16 Utah Football alumni are projected to suit up in Week 17 and a total of 26 former Utes are currently on team rosters throughout the league.
How to watch Pro Utes this week
Week 17 Viewing Guide (players on active rosters)
| Day | Game | Time (MT) | TV | Pro Utes |
| Thu., Dec. 25 | Detroit at Minnesota | 2:30 p.m. | Netflix | #33 Sione Vaki (Detroit) |
| Thu., Dec. 25 | Denver at Kansas City | 6:15 p.m. | Prime Video | #72 Garett Bolles (Denver) #52 Jonah Elliss (Denver) |
| Sat., Dec. 27 | Baltimore at Green Bay | 6 p.m. | Peacock | #5 Tyler Huntley (Baltimore) |
| Sun., Dec. 28 | Seattle at Carolina | 11 a.m. | CBS | #57 Connor O'Toole (Seattle) |
| Sun., Dec. 28 | Pittsburgh at Cleveland | 11 a.m. | CBS | #43 Mohamoud Diabate (Cleveland) |
| Sun., Dec. 28 | Jacksonville at Indianapolis | 11 a.m. | FOX | #0 Devin Lloyd (Jacksonville) #17 Tim Patrick (Jacksonville) |
| Sun., Dec. 28 | New England at NY Jets | 11 a.m. | FOX | #35 Miles Battle (New England) |
| Sun., Dec. 28 | New Orleans at Tennessee | 11 a.m. | CBS | #26 Terrell Burgess (New Orleans) #50 Cody Barton (Tennessee) |
| Sun., Dec. 28 | Philadelphia at Buffalo | 2:25 p.m. | FOX | #18 Britain Covey (Philadelphia) #24 Cole Bishop (Buffalo) #86 Dalton Kincaid (Buffalo) #19 Mitch Wishnowsky (Buffalo) |
| Sun., Dec. 28 | Chicago at San Francisco | 6:20 p.m. | NBC | #1 Jaylon Johnson (Chicago) |
Philadelphia has locked up the NFC East title with Britain Covey handling punt return duties, while New England and Buffalo are both headed to the postseason and in a battle for the AFC East crown—those squads boast a combined four Pro Utes. It's a similar tale in the AFC West with Denver and the LA Chargers right in the mix and totaling five Utah alumni.
Elsewhere in the NFC, Jaylon Johnson returned from IR in Week 13 and has helped the Chicago Bears to an 11-4 record; the Bears can clinch the North division with either a win or a Green Bay loss this weekend. Connor O'Toole and the Seattle Seahawks have already clinched a playoff spot and currently lead the NFC West.
Utah continues to be represented in the pro coaching ranks with three alumni on the sidelines. Alex Whittingham is in his eighth season in the Kansas City Chiefs organization and first as assistant defensive line coach, while Brian Johnson is in his second season as the Washington Commanders' assistant head coach and offensive pass game coordinator. In addition, former Utah quarterback Mike McCoy is currently leading the Tennessee Titans as interim head coach.
Recapping Week 16
Cody Barton | LB | Tennessee
| Game | Score | Stats |
| vs. Kansas City | W, 26-9 | Started at ILB 2 tackles, 1 PD |
Miles Battle | DB | New England
| Game | Score | Stats |
| at Baltimore | W, 28-24 | Played on special teams |
Cole Bishop | S | Buffalo
| Game | Score | Stats |
| at Cleveland | W, 23-20 | Started at S 7 tackles (1 TFL) |
Garett Bolles | OL | Denver
| Game | Score | Stats |
| vs. Jacksonville | L, 34-20 | Started at LT |
Terrell Burgess | S | New Orleans
| Game | Score | Stats |
| vs. NY Jets | W, 29-6 | 1 special teams tackle |
Britain Covey | WR | Philadelphia
| Game | Score | Stats |
| at Washington | W, 29-18 | 1 punt return, 11 yards |
Mohamoud Diabate | LB | Cleveland
| Game | Score | Stats |
| vs. Buffalo | L, 23-20 | Started at LB 4 tackles |
Jonah Elliss | LB | Denver
| Game | Score | Stats |
| vs. Jacksonville | L, 34-20 | 4 total tackles (1 special teams) |
Tyler Huntley | QB | Baltimore
| Game | Score | Stats |
| vs. New England | L, 28-24 | Passing: 9-for-10, 65 yards Rush: 2 carries, 2 yards |
Jaylon Johnson | DB | Chicago
| Game | Score | Stats |
| vs. Green Bay | W, 22-16 (OT) | Started at DB 4 tackles |
Dalton Kincaid | TE | Buffalo
| Game | Score | Stats |
| at Cleveland | W, 23-20 | Played as a reserve |
Devin Lloyd | LB | Jacksonville
| Game | Score | Stats |
| at Denver | W, 34-20 | Started at LB 5 tackles, 1 PD |
Connor O'Toole | LB | Seattle
| Game | Score | Stats |
| vs. LA Rams | W, 38-37 (OT) | 2 special teams tackles |
Tim Patrick | WR | Jacksonville
| Game | Score | Stats |
| at Denver | W, 34-20 | Started at WR 1 reception, 11 yards |
Sione Vaki | RB | Detroit
| Game | Score | Stats |
| vs. Pittsburgh | L, 29-24 | Played on special teams |
Mitch Wishnowsky | P | Buffalo
| Game | Score | Stats |
| at Cleveland | W, 23-20 | 3 punts (avg. 49.7 yards) Held on PATs and FGs |
UTES IN THE NFL (26)
Updated 12.23.25
Offensive Line (1)
Garett Bolles................................. Denver
Quarterbacks (1)
Tyler Huntley............................ Baltimore
Running Backs (1)
Sione Vaki..................................... Detroit
Wide Receivers (3)
Britain Covey......................... Philadelphia
Tim Patrick............................ Jacksonville
Devaughn Vele.............. New Orleans (IR)
Tight Ends (3)
Dalton Kincaid.............................. Buffalo
Caleb Lohner......................... Denver (PS)
Thomas Yassmin............ LA Chargers (PS)
Defensive Line (1)
Junior Tafuna....................... Houston (PS)
Linebackers (7)
Cody Barton............................. Tennessee
Mohamoud Diabate.................... Cleveland
Jonah Elliss................................... Denver
Devin Lloyd........................... Jacksonville
Connor O'Toole............................. Seattle
Karene Reid........................... Denver (IR)
Nephi Sewell................. New Orleans (PS)
Defensive Backs (8)
Miles Battle......................... New England
Cole Bishop.................................. Buffalo
Julian Blackmon............. New Orleans (IR)
Terrell Burgess...................... New Orleans
Jaylon Johnson............................. Chicago
Clark Phillips III..................... Atlanta (IR)
Zemaiah Vaughn............... Minnesota (PS)
Marcus Williams............ LA Chargers (PS)
Special Teams (1)
Mitch Wishnowsky (P).................. Buffalo
FOLLOW THE UTES
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.
Players Mentioned
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/ FootballFormer Utah Football Head Coach Urban Meyer inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
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