The second week of the NFL preseason marked the official halfway point of August exhibition games. For Maryland football alumni, the opportunity to cement themselves on a roster is now winding down.
Former Terp and current Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Jordan Phillips had an impressive game against the Detroit Lions on Saturday. The fifth-round selection contributed significantly in a 24-17 win by recording four tackles, one and a half sacks, a tackle for loss and two quarterback hits.
The 21-year-old has turned heads in training camp and in his first two preseason games. Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said in a media availability last week that Phillips possessed a great combination of strength, technique and toughness.
“He has a relentless approach, very good pad level hands, he is super strong and his teammates like him a lot,” McDaniel said. “You don’t have to ask teammates which rookies the veterans like the most in each practice. Just watch how teammates celebrate when someone makes a play.”
“When it’s their play to make and they make it as a rookie, basically anytime \[Phillips\] makes a play, both the sidelines and the players on the field erupt. I think that tells you a lot.”
With eight tackles and one and a half sacks through two games, Phillips is making his impact felt. He is expected to be a key contributor in Miami’s defensive line rotation, primarily as a run stopper.
Despite being a day three draft selection, Phillips is already a part of the team’s second team defense. He will be one to watch against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday, Aug. 23.
**Rest of the 2025 class and undrafted player notes**
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Tai Felton saw time on special teams and offense for a second consecutive week. He had 21 yards on a kick return and caught two passes for 32 yards against the New England Patriots. Felton remains on the third-string offense — and a leading kick returner — but will continue to have opportunities with two receivers expected to miss time.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Kaden Prather did not catch a pass on one target against the Chicago Bears. Prather participated in practice last week, having missed the Bills’ first preseason game due to a hamstring injury. The seventh-round draft pick remains a fourth-stringer in Buffalo’s depth chart.
Linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II, a fourth-round selection for the Chicago Bears, had two solo tackles against the Bills. He entered the preseason on the team’s third-string defense.
Safety Dante Trader Jr., played in his first game as a member of the Dolphins against the Lions, where he made an assisted tackle. The fifth rounder is still a part of the team’s third-string defense.
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Tommy Akingbesote recorded an assisted tackle against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. The seventh-round pick is listed on the team’s fourth-string defense on its depth chart.
Undrafted rookie safety Glen Miller made one assisted tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs against the Seattle Seahawks. Miller still remains a part of the third-string defense.
Undrafted rookie center Josh Kaltenberger saw the field for the Los Angeles Chargers in all of the team’s three preseason games. Against the Los Angeles Rams Saturday, he played 13 pass protection snaps and allowed one quarterback pressure. He is currently the third center on the team’s depth chart.
**Other Maryland alumni who played this past weekend**
* New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks did not play against the New York Jets on Saturday. Banks is competing for a starting job and struggled in last week’s joint practice trying to cover Jets receiver Garrett Wilson. He has been sidelined since Aug. 13 due to being banged up.
* Wide receiver D.J. Moore caught two passes for 16 yards against the Bills on Sunday.
* Jacksonville Jaguars safety Darnell Savage Jr. made two tackles and assisted another on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
* Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Jakorian Bennett saw action against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday. The former Las Vegas Raider has begun to make his mark in Philadelphia and is competing for a starting job in the defending champions’ vaunted secondary.
* Steelers guard Spencer Anderson ran with the first team offensive line once again against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to an injury to a starter. He is currently a part of the second team line.
* Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jeshaun Jones caught four passes for 39 yards against the Patriots. Like fellow Terps alum Felton, Jones has a chance to make an impact with freed-up targets in Minnesota’s receiver room.
* Baltimore Ravens safety Beau Brade had one tackle on Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys.
* Corey Bullock saw extended playing time Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys. He is currently listed as a third-string center but continues to impress in an effort to make the 53-man roster out of preseason.
* Defensive end Durell Nchami made a tackle for the Colts against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday.
* Tight end Chig Okonkwo did not record a catch for the Tennessee Titans but saw time on Friday against the Atlanta Falcons.
* Jaelyn Duncan also saw preseason action for the Titans. He remained listed as a second-string right tackle.
* Buccaneers wideout Rakim Jarrett caught a ball for eight yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
* Las Vegas Raiders right tackle DJ Glaze hit the field against the San Francisco 49ers. While the team is sorting out personnel on its offensive line for a second consecutive week, Glaze is listed as a starter at tackle.
* Gottlieb Ayedze saw time on the field against the 49ers. The Raiders’ offensive lineman is listed as a third-string left guard.
* Tight end Tyler Mabry of the Carolina Panthers was inactive against the Houston Texans.
* Kicker Chad Ryland converted an extra point for the Arizona Cardinals against the Denver Broncos on Saturday. He is still expected to be the main kicker this season in Arizona.
* Sam Okuayinonu for the San Francisco 49ers remained out against the Las Vegas Raiders due to a groin injury. He has missed the team’s first two preseason games.
* Cornerback Tarheeb Still saw time at nickel on Saturday for the Los Angeles Chargers against the Rams. He did not record a tackle.
* Josh Woods for the Atlanta Falcons did not record a tackle or sack against the Tennessee Titans. He was looking to follow up a strong game last week against the Detroit Lions, but he remains a part of Atlanta’s third team defense.
Veterans Byron Cowart, Nick Cross, Stefon Diggs and Ty Johnson all sat out in the second week of preseason.
The NFL preseason heads into its final week with Week 3 action set to begin Thursday, Aug. 21.
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