.png&width=42&height=42&type=webp)
University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers in the Pros: Week 17
1/3/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
It has been an interesting 17 weeks of the NFL regular season for former Gophers playing professional football. Some players that began the year on practice squads finished the year on active rosters while others have been plagued by injuries throughout the year.
The final week of the season was highlighted by Broncos' rookie receiver Eric Decker. Although he saw limited playing time early in the season, he was continually integrated into Denver's offense, and fittingly he scored his first touchdown of the season on Sunday.
- Decker, Eric - WR - Denver Broncos
Decker had two catches for 22 yards to go along with his first NFL touchdown reception. He also returned four kickoffs for 102 yards in Denver's 33-28 loss to the San Diego Chargers.
- Barber III, Marion - RB - Dallas Cowboys
Barber had three rushes for three yards as the Cowboys took down the Philadelphia Eagles 14-13.
- White, Stylez G. - DE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
White finished his fourth season in the NFL with one solo tackle in the Buccaneers' 23-13 win over the New Orleans Saints.
- Laurence Maroney - RB - Denver Broncos
Maroney was active but did not record any statistics in the Broncos' loss to San Diego.
- Carter, Tyrone - S - San Diego Chargers
Carter was active but did not record any statistics in the Chargers' win over Denver.
- Triplett, Nate - LB - Indianapolis Colts
Triplett was active but did not record any statistics in the Colts' 23-20 win over the Tennessee Titans.
- Spaeth, Matt - TE - Pittsburgh Steelers
Spaeth was active but did not record any statistics as the Steelers trounced the Cleveland Browns 41-9.
In addition to those who were on active rosters, three former Gophers spent last weekend on the practice squad for their respective NFL teams. Marcus Sherels is on the practice squad for the Minnesota Vikings, Traye Simmons is with the San Diego Chargers and Logan Payne is on the New York Jets' practice squad. Meanwhile, Mark Setterstrom remains on the physically unable to perform list of the St. Louis Rams, and Ben Hamilton of the Seattle Seahawks and Dominique Barber of the Houston Texans are each on the injured reserved list of their respective teams.
