Local NFL players roundup: Clowney, Watson banged up

More than a few NFL players local to the Rock Hill area are limping to the finish of a long pro football season.

Former South Pointe standout Stephon Gilmore has already been ruled out for the year with his Buffalo Bills eliminated from playoff contention. Gilmore banged up his shoulder against Houston several weeks ago and he hasn’t suited up since.

Jadeveon Clowney, Houston- Clowney made a tackle and defended a pass but left the Texans’ 34-6 blowout of Tennessee early with a foot injury and was spotted in a walking boot afterward. Texans coach Bill O’Brien said the injury was “nothing structural” and that Clowney was listed as day-to-day.

Benjamin Watson, New Orleans- Watson is another banged up Rock Hill product. The former Northwestern Trojan saw his snaps decreased Sunday during the Saints’ 38-27 win over Jacksonville because of a lingering knee injury. Watson finished with one catch for five yards.

Vance Walker, Denver- Not everybody from York County is banged up, and Walker had one of his best games of the season to help the Broncos to a 20-17 overtime win over Cincinnati Monday night. Walker, an Ohio native who graduated from Fort Mill High, made five tackles - including four solo efforts - and recorded a sack, tackle-for-loss and QB hit. Walker’s sack late in the fourth quarter was his second of the season and helped the Broncos overcome a 14-0 deficit to clinch a playoff spot.

Phillip Adams, Atlanta- Adams had a solid outing during the Falcon’s 20-13 upset of the previously undefeated Carolina Panthers. Adams made four tackles - with three solos - and broke up a pair of passes, including one in the second quarter that he had very nearly intercepted before Carolina receiver Philly Brown dislodged from his hands.

Johnathan Joseph, Houston- Joseph made a tackle and broke up a pass during Houston’s blowout of Tennessee.

Jonathan Meeks, Buffalo- the Rock Hill Bearcat didn’t record any stats during the Bills’ 16-6 win over Dallas on Sunday, but an injury to fellow safety Bacarri Rambo means Meeks should have an opportunity to start next week against the New York Jets. The Buffalo News reported coach Rex Ryan saying as much on Tuesday morning; Rambo struggled through the Dallas game with a shoulder injury.

“You could see Jonathan Meeks get an opportunity this week,” Ryan told Buffalo-area media on Monday. “I recognize the toughness but if (Rambo’s) going to be hampered as much as he looked like, I want to get Meeks in there anyway.”

Meeks has played in seven games since being activated from the injured reserve in mid-October. He’s recorded 12 tackles.

Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota- former Northwestern Trojan had a kickoff return for 16 yards during the Vikings’ playoff spot-clinching 49-17 blowout of the New York Giants.

This story was originally published December 29, 2015 at 1:23 PM with the headline "Local NFL players roundup: Clowney, Watson banged up."