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Pro Boilers: NFL Week 3Pro Boilers: NFL Week 3

Pro Boilers: NFL Week 3

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season featured six active former Boilermakers with the group going a combined 4-2. 

George Karlaftis intercepted a pass in the final two minutes of a 24-10 victory over Miami that iced the game for the Chiefs. It was the first interception of his NFL career and his first interception since his third collegiate game on Sept. 14, 2019 against TCU.

Karlaftis added his first tackle-for-loss this season in the win. He is the only defensive end with an interception this season and just one of two defensive lineman, joined by A'Shawn Robinson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Derrick Barnes put together another strong stat line with eight tackles and one tackle-for-loss in a win over the Jets. His three tackles-for-loss this season are already half of last season's career high of six. The performance pushed Barnes over 300 tackles in his regular season career (304). 

Stuffing the stat sheet through three weeks, Barnes is the only player this season with at least 20 tackles, 2.0 sacks and an interception. He is also tied for second on the Lions with 21 total tackles.

BOILERMAKERS AROUND THE NFL
• George Karlaftis (Kansas City) – Recorded his first career interception and had two tackles, one for a loss, in a win over Miami.
• Derrick Barnes (Detroit) – Totaled eight tackles and one tackle-for-loss in a victory over the N.Y. Jets.
• Tyrone Tracy Jr. (N.Y. Giants) – Had one carry for three yards and added a special teams tackle in a victory over Tennessee.
• Payne Durham (Tampa Bay) – Earned the start and appeared in over half the offensive snaps vs. Minnesota. 
• Marcus Mbow (N.Y. Giants) – Appeared in four special teams snaps in a win over Tennessee.
• Reese Taylor (Miami) – Appeared in three special teams snaps vs. Kansas City.
• Aidan O'Connell (Las Vegas) – Served as the emergency third quarterback in a win over New Orleans.
• Jalen Graham (San Francisco) – Practice Squad
• Charlie Jones (N.Y. Giants) – Practice Squad