Gamecocks in NFL: Damiere Byrd catches more passes than he has since 2013 at USC

It was a big receiving week for former South Carolina stars in the pro ranks this weekend, as two Gamecocks scored touchdowns through the air and several more had career performances.

Leading the way was former USC great and current Philadelphia Eagle Alshon Jeffery, who caught five passes for 52 yards and a touchdown, his sixth in six weeks and eighth on the season, tying him for fifth most in the NFL. Jeffery is also one of 18 players in the league to be targeted 100 or more times this season.

Jeffery was joined in the touchdown department by Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook, who collected his most catches and yards in four weeks and scored midway through the fourth quarter on a fourth down pass to keep the Raiders close in an eventual loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Cook’s touchdown grab gives him two on the year, his most in three seasons. He also needs just five more catches on the season to set a new career high for his nine NFL campaigns.

In contrast to Cook, Carolina Panthers receiver Damiere Byrd has spent almost no time at all in the NFL, appearing in just seven total games across two seasons. But on Sunday, Byrd enjoyed a breakout performance as his Panthers defeated the Minnesota Vikings.

While Byrd is still searching for his first pro touchdown, he did record his first multi-reception game, hauling in five passes for 37 yards with a long of 21. As Bill Voth noted on Twitter, Byrd hasn’t had five catches in a game since his junior season at South Carolina, when he had five receptions on Oct. 5, 2013, against Kentucky.

Those five catches are also tied for the most Byrd has ever had in a collegiate or pro game. He now has seven career NFL receptions.

On the defensive side of the ball, former Gamecock and veteran pro Darian Stewart has more interceptions than Byrd has catches. He kept ahead of Byrd with his eighth career pick Sunday as his Denver Broncos shut out the New York Jets, 23-0. Stewart’s pick came early in the second quarter, and he returned it 24 yards to prevent the Jets from reaching the red zone.

One of Stewart’s fellow former USC defenders, safety D.J. Swearinger, had a much tougher time with his Washington Redskins. After Swearinger’s team lost 30-13 to the Los Angeles Chargers, the hard-hitting safety ripped his the squad’s “blah” attitude, calling out players and coaches.

Swearinger had three tackles and one pass defended against the Chargers. He remains on pace to set a career high in tackles and passes defended.

How they fared

Jerell Adams, WR, New York Giants: Played but recorded no statistics

Damiere Byrd, WR, Carolina Panthers: 5 catches on 5 targets for 37 yards

A.J. Cann, G, Jacksonville Jaguars: Started for the fifth straight week, his 41st career start in three seasons

Jadeveon Clowney, DE, Houston Texans: 6 tackles, 3 solo, now has 46 total stops on the season, 6 away from tying his career best

Jared Cook, TE, Oakland Raiders: 5 catches on 6 targets for 75 yards and a touchdown, his second of the year

Pharoh Cooper, WR, Los Angeles Rams: 1 catch on 2 targets for 1 yard, 1 punt returns for -3 yards, 2 kick returns for 46 yards with a long of 25

Mike Davis, RB, Seattle Seahawks: 15 rushing attempts for 66 yards, 1 catch for -1 yard, season high in rushing yards

Patrick DiMarco, FB, Buffalo Bills: Started for the sixth game this season but recorded no stats

Bruce Ellington, WR, Houston Texans: Placed on the injured reserve earlier this week with a hamstring injury

Stephon Gilmore, CB, New England Patriots: Plays Monday night

Melvin Ingram, LB, Los Angeles Chargers: 5 tackles, 2 solo, 0.5 sack

Alshon Jeffery, WR, Philadelphia Eagles: 5 catches on 11 targets for 52 yards and a touchdown, has now scored six times in six weeks

T.J. Johnson, C, Cincinnati Bengals: Appeared in his eighth straight game without starting

Johnathan Joseph, CB, Houston Texans: 2 tackles, both solo, and 2 passes defended, bringing his season total to 9

Captain Munnerlyn, CB, Carolina Panthers: 3 tackles, 2 solo, and 1 pass defended

Corey Robinson, OT, Detroit Lions: Started for the third time this season and the second time in a row, the first time in his career he has started consecutive games

Brandon Shell, OT, New York Jets: Started his 10th game this season

Darian Stewart, S, Denver Broncos: 1 solo tackle, 1 interception returned for 24 yards, 1 pass defended

Ryan Succop, K, Tennessee Titans: 0 for 1 on field goals, missing from 58 yards, 1 for 1 on extra points

D.J. Swearinger, S, Washington Redskins: 3 tackles, 2 solo, and 1 pass defended

This story was originally published December 11, 2017 at 2:01 PM with the headline "Gamecocks in NFL: Damiere Byrd catches more passes than he has since 2013 at USC."