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Several former Louisville football stars take big steps in week two of the preseason

By Jacob Lane

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 15: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens throws the ball in the first half of a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at M&T Bank Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 15: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens throws the ball in the first half of a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at M&T Bank Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 16: Reggie Bonnafon #39 of the Carolina Panthers runs against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter of their preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on August 16, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 16: Reggie Bonnafon #39 of the Carolina Panthers runs against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter of their preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on August 16, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Fighting to make the opening day roster

Reggie Bonnafon – RB, Carolina Panthers

Opponent: Buffalo Bills 

Stats: 3 carries, 15 yards, 4 receptions, 32 yards (Led Panthers in receiving), 2 pt conversion 

James Burgess – LB, New York Jets

Opponent: Atlanta Falcons

Stats: 3 total tackles, 1 pass deflection, 1 interception, 1 touchdown 

Cole Hikutini – TE, Minnesota Vikings

Opponent: Seattle Seahawks

Stats: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 8 yards

Marcus Smith – OLB, Washington Redskins

Opponent: Cincinnati Bengals

Stats: 1 total tackle (1 solo), 1 pass deflection, 1 QB hit

Keith Towbridge – TE, Buffalo Bills

Opponent: Carolina Panthers

Stats: 1 target, 0 receptions 

Other players trying to make 53-man rosters who didn’t record stats:

Micky Crum – TE, Pittsburgh Steelers (Signed this week)

Colin Holba – LS, San Francisco 49ers (Takes the field on ESPN tonight (8/19) against the Denver Broncos 

Keith Kelsey – LB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Lukayus McNeil – OG, Dallas Cowboys

Jaylen Smith – WR, Baltimore Ravens

Malik Williams – RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Trevon Young – OLB, Los Angeles Rams

Reaction: There’s not a whole lot to react to from this group of former Cardinals, but we’ll start with the playmaking of James Burgess Jr. which was on full display against the Atlanta Falcons.

Wherever the game has taken Burgess, he’s made plays at a pretty high level whenever he’s gotten the chance, and that trend continued Thursday night with an incredible pick-six to seal a victory for the Jets.

With star linebacker Avery Williamson going down in this game to a torn ACL, my best guess says that the rising inside linebacker from Louisville is a near-lock to make the team.

Much like last week, Panthers do-it-all running back, Reggie Bonnfon, put on another impressive performance.

Bonnafon led the Panthers in receiving, catching four passes for 32 yards and carrying the ball three times for 15 yards. The Panthers are looking for a capable backup to take some of the workload from star all-purpose back, Christian McCaffrey, as he enters his third season.

Next. Expectations for every former Card in the NFL in 2019. dark

Through two games Bonnafon has carried the ball seven times for 38 yards, and caught another eight passes for 62 yards. If he can continue to play at this level, while proving he’s a capable back on short-yardage situations, there’s no reason why he couldn’t see the field this season for the Panthers in a small role.

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