While Saturday’s 35-14 embarrassment in Madison has many fans wondering about the current state of Michigan Football, former Wolverines turned in quite the Sunday as 19 Michigan Football alumni saw game action during Week 3 of the NFL season.
New England Patriots QB Tom Brady continued his incredible start to the season. The Patriots had no problem wiping out the New York Jets at home in a 30-14 win as the ageless wonder went 28 for 42 with 306 yards passing and two touchdowns.
The only other Michigan skill position player on offense to see action was Tight End Zach Gentry making his debut for the Pittsburgh Steelers in a loss to the 49ers. Gentry only logged a special teams tackle but now shares a unique distinction. Going back into the archives of Michigan Football, Gentry is now the fourth former Wolverine tight end to play for Pittsburgh. He follows Jim Mandich (1978) Jerame Tuman (1999-2007) and Jay Riemersma (2003-2004) as former Michigan players to make a stop in Pittsburgh. Mandich and Tuman won Super Bowls during their tenures with the black and gold, and Riemersma played for a team that reached the AFC Championship game in 2004-05, Gentry will hope to find similar success in the Steel City.
Three offensive lineman from the Brady Hoke era played for their teams Sunday. Graham Glasgow again helped the Detroit Lions offensive line pave the way for Kerryon Johnson and Matthew Stafford in the Lions 27-24 upset win over the Eagles. Michael Schofield III started for the Los Angeles Chargers as the Texans defeated the Bolts in LA 27-20 Sunday. After not seeing any game action against the Ravens in Week 2, Arizona Cardinals lineman Mason Cole re-entered the lineup but the Cards fell to the Carolina Panthers at home.
It was a banner day for former Michigan defensive lineman led by the return of Taco Charlton. The former Dallas Cowboy made his debut as a Dolphin back in Big D as Miami faced Dallas. After missing the first two games of the season while still a Cowboy, Charlton was released last week, and claimed on waivers by Miami. In the third quarter, with the Dolphin secondary locking down Dallas’ wideouts, Charlton was able to chase down former teammate Dak Prescott for a sack. Charlton finished the game with two tackles.
— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2019
Taco Charlton records a sack against his former team! @TheSupremeTaco #FinsUp #MIAvsDAL
: FOX
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Sunday was also a coming out party for Green Bay Packers first round pick Rashan Gary. Fittingly enough, Gary logged his first professional sack wearing his college colors, as the Packers donned their Acme Packer throwback uniforms, trading green for blue. The transition to linebacker has taken some time for Gary, but he finished Sunday’s 27-16 win over the Broncos with a fumble recovery, his first career sack, and four total tackles. Gary earns a WW helmet sticker for his standout performance this week.
#Packers LB Rashan Gary bullies his way to his 1st career sack. pic.twitter.com/I0BGiaMlSA
— Steve Frederick (@_SteveFrederick) September 22, 2019
Chase Winovich continued his solid start for the Patriots with half of a sack and a tackle against the Jets. Chris Wormley logged one QB hit on Patrick Mahomes in the Ravens loss to the Chiefs. Frank Clark continued to prove himself worthy of the steep price tag Kansas City paid to trade for him, collecting three tackles and a sack of Lamar Jackson in the Chiefs home opening victory. Brandon Graham recorded three tackles in the Eagles loss to Detroit. Mo Hurst had a strong individual performance in the Raiders loss with four total tackles and a defended pass.
Devin Bush is continuing his one man campaign for the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year honor. Already the preseason betting favorite according to many NFL experts, Bush led the Steelers for a third straight week with 11 tackles. Pittsburgh is 0-3, but Bush leads all rookies with 29 total tackles, and is only seven behind league leader Luke Kuechly.
Jarrod Wilson featured against for the Jacksonville Jaguars in their win on Thursday Night. Wilson collected four tackles as the Jags beat the Titans for their first victory of the season. Lano Hill had one tackle in the Seahawks loss to the Saints. Jourdan Lewis also had just one tackle in the Cowboys 31-6 demolition of the Saints. It was another standout week for Jabrill Peppers. The Giants safety has been a tackling machine and finished second for New York with eight on Sunday, in addition to defending a pass. The Giants beat the Buccaneers 32-31 behind the strong play of rookie QB Daniel Jones. Peppers also earns a WW helmet sticker this week for his quality effort in the G-Men’s first win on the year.
Inactives/DNP/No Stats
Jake Butt (Knee) - Denver Broncos
Devin Funchess (Clavicle) - Indianapolis Colts
Ben Gedeon - Minnesota Vikings. Gedeon played in the Vikings 34-14 win over the Oakland Raiders but did not crack the stat sheet.
Ryan Glasgow (Thigh) - Cincinnati Bengals
David Long (Healthy Scratch) - Los Angeles Rams
Bryan Mone - Seattle Seahawks - Mone did not record any stats in the Seahawks 33-27 loss to the Saints
Patrick Omameh - New Orleans Saints. Omameh was active but did not play in the Saints win over Seattle.
WW Helmet Sticker Count:
Offense:
G. Glasgow - 1
Defense:
C. Winovich - 1
J. Peppers - 1
R. Gary - 1