WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue alumni in the NFL concluded week three with seven active players for a third week in a row. On top of the active Boilermakers, Ja’Whaun Bently was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad earlier in the week.
George Karlaftis turned in one of the best performances of his NFL tenure with a career-high 10 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss and four quarterback hits. He added his second sack of the season and a pass defended in the Chiefs’ 22-9 victory over the Giants.
GK shined bright in primetime 💫 pic.twitter.com/wDPxzzCgZT
— Purdue Football (@BoilerFootball) September 22, 2025
He was 12th in week three with a 90.2 pass rush grade and one of 27 defenders to earn higher than a 90 defensive grade by PFF (90.4). Both grades are the highest of Karlaftis’ NFL career.
The strong start to his season has Karlaftis tied for third in the NFL with 5.0 tackles-for-loss, and he is tied for Kansas City’s team-lead with 2.0 sacks.
Derrick Barnes finished third on the Lions with six tackles and added a crucial sack in the fourth quarter in Detroit’s 38-30 victory over Baltimore. Barnes’ sack on third down held the Ravens to a field goal to make the score 28-24 Lions with 9:40 remaining in the game. The Lions then responded with a field goal and touchdown on their next two drives to seal the victory.
.@derrickbarnes21 gets there for a third-down sack ‼️pic.twitter.com/aUN6Mwzjmh
— Purdue Football (@BoilerFootball) September 23, 2025
Tyrone Tracy Jr. carried the ball seven times for 29 yards and added three catches for seven yards. He touched the ball on the Giants’ first five offensive plays and nine of the team’s first 14 plays before sustaining a shoulder injury in the first quarter.
Charlie Jones produced three kick returns for 61 yards and one punt return for nine yards. He also recovered a Cincinnati fumble on offense to keep a drive alive on the Minnesota 23-yard line that resulted in a touchdown five plays later.
BOILERMAKERS AROUND THE NFL
• George Karlaftis (Kansas City) – Had a career-high 10 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, four quarterback hits and added a sack in a 22-9 win over the Giants.
• Derrick Barnes (Detroit) – Totaled six tackles and had a crucial fourth quarter sack in a 38-30 win over Baltimore.
• Tyrone Tracy Jr. (N.Y. Giants) – Had seven carries for 29 yards and three catches for seven yards before sustaining an injury vs. Kansas City.
• Marcus Mbow (N.Y. Giants) – Played New York's final 38 offensive plays (58-percent) at left tackle vs. Kansas City.
• Charlie Jones (Cincinnati) – Returned three kicks for 61 yards and one punt for nine yards against Minnesota.
• Payne Durham (Tampa Bay) – Played 23 snaps on offense and 18 on special teams in the Buccaneers' 29-27 win over the Jets.
• Sanoussi Kane (Baltimore) – Produced an assisted tackle on special teams against Detroit.
• Raheem Mostert (Las Vegas) – Inactive vs. Washington
• Ja’Whaun Bently (Pittsburgh) – Practice Squad
• Jalen Graham (San Francisco) – Practice Squad
• Reese Taylor (Denver) – Practice Squad
• David Bell (Cleveland) – Non-Football Injury
• Aidan O'Connell (Las Vegas) – Injured Reserve
• Cory Trice Jr. (Pittsburgh) – Injured Reserve
• Rondale Moore (Minnesota) – Injured Reserve (out for season)