Wolverines in the NFL: Twelve former Michigan players still alive in playoffs

Nine former Michigan football players were eliminated on Wild Card weekend in the NFL, while 12 still remain heading into the divisional round. Seven of the eight teams that are still alive have at least one former Wolverine on its roster.

Defensive end Rashan Gary and left guard Jon Runyan of the Green Bay Packers and left tackle Taylor Lewan of the Tennessee Titans all had first-round byes, but will be back in action this weekend. The Packers will host defensive tackle Maurice Hurst, cornerback Ambry Thomas, safety Jarrod Wilson and the San Francisco 49ers Saturday night, while Chris Evans and the Bengals are set to take on Lewan and Co. in Nashville Saturday afternoon.

Former Michigan quarterback Tom Brady was stellar in leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 31-15 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. He completed 29 of his 37 pass attempts for 271 yards and two touchdowns while missing several key offensive weapons. That marked Brady’s 35th career playoff win, which is just two shy of his former team, the New England Patriots, who have the most postseason victories out of any franchise with 37.

Tampa Bay will host the Rams Sunday afternoon, after Los Angeles notched a dominant, 34-11 victory over the Arizona Cardinals Monday night. Former Michigan cornerback David Long Jr. is a key bench player for the squad, and had an interception returned for a touchdown against the division rival.

The Kansas City Chiefs proved that they’re once again a legitimate contender for the Super Bowl when they blew out the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday night, 42-21, with former Michigan defensive ends Frank Clark and Mike Danna and backup quarterback Chad Henne eliminating former Wolverine linebacker Devin Bush Jr., who had an interception, defensive end Taco Charlton, tight end Sean McKeon and defensive tackle Chris Wormley. The Chiefs are slated to battle the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium.

A Michigan player has been on the Super Bowl-winning team each of the last seven seasons, and Vegas odds say there’s a great chance the streak continues this season. The Packers are the favorite with 15-4 odds, according to BetMGM, while the Chiefs are second at 4-1 and the Buccaneers are tied with the Bills — the only team still alive without a former Michigan player on its roster — in third at 11-2.

Here is a complete update on former Michigan players in the NFL, with a look at their regular-season stats and how they performed on Wild Card weekend.

Tom Brady (Played at Michigan from 1995-99), QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Connected on 67.5 percent of his passes for a league-high 43 touchdowns and NFL-best 5,316 yards while starting all 17 contests for the 13-4 Buccaneers, who advanced to the divisional round with a 31-15 Wild Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles … Completed 29 of his 37 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns in the triumph.

Devin Bush Jr. (2016-18), LB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Tallied 70 tackles, two stops for loss, four quarterback hits, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 14 starts for the 9-7-1 Steelers … Made an interception and added one tackle and one pass breakup in a 42-21 Wild Card loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Taco Charlton (2013-16), DE, Pittsburgh Steelers

Made 18 tackles, a half-sack and two quarterback hits on the year, starting one of his 11 appearances for the 9-7-1 Steelers … Posted one tackle and QB hit in a 42-21 playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Kansas City Chiefs

Tallied 22 tackles, three stops for loss, 4.5 sacks (second on team), two forced fumbles and 17 quarterback hits in 14 starts and tilts for the 12-5 Chiefs … Notched four tackles and recovered one fumble in a 42-21 Wild Card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs

Started six of his 17 games for the 12-5 Chiefs, with three sacks (third on team), 26 tackles, three stops for loss, 10 quarterback hits, one pass breakup and two forced fumbles … Had one sack, one tackle for loss and two hits on the quarterback in a 42-21 playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Chris Evans (2016-20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals

The former Michigan running back made 13 appearances off the bench and one start for the 10-7 Bengals, notching 15 receptions for 151 yards and one score, while also rushing 17 times for 77 yards and a touchdown … Rushed once for nine yards and returned five kicks for 103 yards in a 26-19 playoff victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers

His 9.5 sacks led the team and were tied for 18th in the league … Also totaled 46 tackles, eight stops for loss and 28 quarterback hits while starting 16 contests for the 13-4 Packers, who earned a first-round bye.

Zach Gentry (2015-18), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers

Hauled in 19 receptions for 167 yards while starting 12 of his 17 appearances for the 9-7-1 Steelers … Caught four passes for 33 yards in a 42-21 playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Chad Henne (2004-07), QB, Kansas City Chiefs

Completed 11 of 16 pass attempts for 82 yards while playing in four games for the 12-5 Chiefs … Did not play in a 42-21 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Maurice Hurst (2013-17), DT, San Francisco 49ers

The former Michigan defensive tackle notched two tackles, and one stop for loss, in two games for the 10-7 49ers … Did not appear in the team’s 23-17 playoff win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Taylor Lewan (2009-13), OL, Tennessee Titans

Started 13 outings for the 12-5 Titans, posting a 71.4 overall PFF grade with four sacks allowed … Helped his team receive a first-round bye.

Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys

Opened 13 games in his 16 appearances for the 12-5 Cowboys, totaling three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, 61 tackles, one stop for loss and three quarterback hits … Recorded two tackles in a 23-17 playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Los Angeles Rams

Started five of his 15 games for the 12-5 Rams, with 40 tackles, five pass breakups and one interception … Compiled one tackle and had an interception return for a touchdown in a 34-11 playoff win over the Arizona Cardinals. 

Sean McKeon (2016-19), TE, Dallas Cowboys

The former Michigan tight end compiled four receptions for 27 yards and one touchdown for the 12-5 Cowboys … Did not register any stats in the team’s 23-17 Wild Card loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Michael Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots

Began eight of his 16 appearances for the 10-7 Patriots, generating an 87.0 overall PFF mark with two sacks allowed … Came off the bench in a 47-17 postseason loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Jon Runyan (2015-19), OL, Green Bay Packers

Began 16 of 17 games for the 13-4 Packers — which had a first-round playoff bye — earning a 65.0 overall PFF grade with two sacks yielded.

Ambry Thomas (2017-19), CB, San Francisco 49ers

The former Michigan cornerback started five games and appeared in 12 … Registered 23 tackles and seven pass breakups with one interception … Started and registered three tackles and one pass breakup in a 23-17 playoff triumph over the Dallas Cowboys.

Josh Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots

Totaled 12 tackles, a fumble recovery and three sacks in 12 tilts off the bench for the 10-7 Patriots … Saw time off the bench in a 47-17 postseason loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Jarrod Wilson (2012-15), S, San Francisco 49ers

Recorded three tackles in four appearances for the 10-7 49ers … Began the season on the New York Jets, starting three of his five tilts and racking up 13 tackles, two stops for loss, one sack and three quarterback hits.

Chase Winovich (2014-18), DE, New England Patriots

The former Michigan defensive end appeared in 13 games in a backup role for the 10-7 Patriots, producing 11 tackles and one quarterback hit … Did not record any statistics in a 47-17 postseason setback to the Buffalo Bills.

Chris Wormley (2012-16), DT, Pittsburgh Steelers

Opened 13 of his 15 games for the 9-7-1 Steelers, with 50 tackles, 7.0 sacks (third on team), six stops behind the line of scrimmage, 10 quarterback hits, one forced fumble and three passes defended … Started and posted two tackles and one quarterback hit in a 42-21 playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.