Former South Carolina players Jadeveon Clowney, Melvin Ingram, Devin Taylor shine in NFL’s week 2

We’re two weeks into the 2016 NFL season, and we know that we missed our Gamecocks in the NFL recap last week. (We’re sorry, and it won’t happen again.) Anyway, some defensive players had some nice performances this past weekend, namely Jadeveon Clowney, Melvin Ingram and Devin Taylor. (We see you too, Alshon Jeffrey.)

Jadeveon Clowney’s Texans defeated the Chiefs, 19-12, on Sunday, with the former #1 pick recording three tackles and a TFL. Clowney had a sack against the Bears in Week 1 and is looking to increase his 4.5 sack total from a season ago. He’s battled injuries and a failure to meet overall expectations in his first couple of seasons in the league, so hopefully he finds himself on the right track in year three.

Meanwhile, Melvin Ingram was another former Gamecock that shone defensively in Week 2. The Chargers LB had three tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in San Diego’s 38-14 win over Jacksonville. Ingram’s career sack total now sits at 18.5 - he is coming off a career season in 2015 (10.5 sacks, 52 tackles) and looks to be on track to establishing himself as one of the better LBs in the league.

The Lions may be having troubles, but Devin Taylor looked good on Sunday in Detroit’s loss to Tennessee. Taylor had seven tackles (four solo, three assisted), 1.5 sacks, and converted a safety despite Detroit’s defeat. Not a bad day’s work.

Here’s how the other Gamecocks did in Week 2:

Alshon Jeffrey, WR, Bears: Alshon had a nice game - five catches, 96 yards, including a 49-yarder - despite Chicago’s 29-14 loss to Philadelphia. It’s early, but Jeffrey’s 201 yards rank 8th in the league so far.

Damiere Byrd, WR, Panthers: On the Panthers’ roster, but didn’t record any stats in Carolina’s 46-27 win against the 49ers.

A.J. Cann, OL, Jaguars: Started at right guard in a 38-14 loss to the Chargers.

Jared Cook, TE, Packers: Picked up 31 yards on six catches in Green Bay’s 17-14 Sunday night loss to Minnesota.

Pharoh Cooper, WR, Rams: Inactive (due to a shoulder injury) in L.A.’s 9-3 win over the Seattle Seahawks.

Mike Davis, RB, 49ers: No rushing yards, but had a catch for 10 yards in San Francisco’s loss to the Panthers.

Patrick DiMarco, FB, Falcons: No stats in a 35-28 win over the Oakland Raiders.

Stephon Gilmore, CB, Bills: Gilmore had six tackles in a loss to the Jets, but was panned along with the rest of the Buffalo secondary for a poor Thursday night performance.

T.J. Johnson, OL, Bengals: Started at center in Cincinnati’s 24-16 loss to the Steelers.

Johnathan Joseph, CB, Texans: Had five tackles and two pass deflections in Houston’s win against K.C.

Captain Munnerlyn, CB, Vikings: Five tackles and a pass deflection in Minnesota’s win over Green Bay.

Corey Robinson, OL, Lions: Saw some time at tackle in Detroit’s 16-15 loss to Tennessee.

Darian Stewart, S, Broncos: Stewart, now $18,000 poorer after his hit on Cam Newton, had a single tackle in Denver’s 34-20 win over Indianapolis.

Ryan Succop, K, Titans: Was one for two on FGs (made 46-yarder, missed 51-yarder) and converted a PAT in Tennessee’s win.

D.J. Swearinger, Cardinals: Recorded a pick in Arizona’s 40-7 blowout win over Tampa Bay.

Out

Chris Culliver, DB, Dolphins: On the physically unable to perform list.

Bruce Ellington, WR, 49ers: On injured reserve and out for the year (hamstring).

Connor Shaw, QB, Bears: On the IR (leg injury).

Brandon Shell, OL, Jets: Inactive in New York’s Thursday night win in Buffalo.

Living it up on the practice squad

Ronald Patrick, OL, Titans

Isaiah Johnson, S, Tampa Bay

Recently released

Kelcy Quarles, DT - cut from the Colts’ practice squad last Tuesday.