Wolverines in the NFL: Aidan Hutchinson seals comeback win, Rashan Gary shines, Zach Charbonnet sees role increase
Former Michigan Wolverines football standouts made game-changing plays during Week 11 in the NFL.
Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson called game for the Detroit Lions, sealing an incredible 31-26 comeback victory with a strip sack that resulted in a safety with less than 30 seconds to go. What made it even sweeter for Michigan fans was that Hutchinson’s sack came on former Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, a fitting way to kick off ‘The Game’ week.
The Lions were down 26-14 with 4:20 to play, before coming back and stealing the victory at Ford Field. They’re now 8-2 for the first time since 1962, thanks in part to Hutchinson’s efforts.
Another former Michigan edge rusher had a big game this weekend, also in a crucial victory. Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Rashan Gary had 2 tackles, a sack, a stop for loss and 2 hits on the quarterback in a 23-20 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. That was his first sack since having 1 in a loss to the Las Vegas Raiders Oct. 9. The Packers are well behind the Lions, standing third in the NFC North standings, but aren’t quite dead yet.
Former Michigan and UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet is a hot fantasy football name at the moment, since Seattle starter Kenneth Walker III is injured. Pro Football Focus (PFF) named him a fantasy waiver wire target after Week 11 due to the increased opportunity he’ll have following Walker’s oblique injury in Week 11.
“The Seahawks’ running backs don’t have a favorable schedule the rest of the way, but if Walker is to miss time, Charbonnet will rightfully be the clear top waiver option in fantasy leagues,” PFF’s Nathan Jahnke wrote.
Charbonnet carried the load for the Seahawks after Walker went down in a 17-16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, rushing a career-high 15 times for 37 yards and catching a career-best 6 passes for 22 yards.
Here’s a look at how every former Michigan player in the NFL performed in Week 11:
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Ronnie Bell (played at Michigan from 2018-22), WR, San Francisco 49ers
Did not have any stats while playing sparingly in a 27-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers … Notched 4 receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown, returned 1 punt for 8 yards and posted 2 special teams tackles in 10 games for the 7-3 49ers.
Ben Bredeson (2016-19), G, New York Giants
The former Michigan offensive lineman has started 10 of 11 games for the 3-8 Giants … Team bounced back after three-straight losses with a 31-19 win over the Washington Commanders in which Bredeson allowed 2 pressures and registered a 52.7 overall PFF grade at right guard.
Devin Bush (2016-18), LB, Seattle Seahawks
Played off the bench in a 17-16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, making 1 tackle … Totaled 5 tackles in six games for the 6-4 Seahawks.
Zach Charbonnet (2019-20), RB Seattle Seahawks
Ran a career-high 15 times for 47 yards and had career-bests in receptions (6) and receiving yards (22) in a 17-16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams … Racked up 261 yards on 53 carries and 92 yards on 19 receptions in nine games for the 6-4 Seahawks.
Camaron Cheeseman (2016-19), LS, Washington Commanders
Snapped in all 11 games for the 4-7 Commanders.
Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Seattle Seahawks
Put up 2 tackles in a 17-16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams … Had 5 of his 7 tackles on the season in the last four games since joining the Seahawks after being released by the Denver Broncos.
Mason Cole (2014-17), OL Pittsburgh Steelers
The former Michigan offensive lineman started in a 13-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns, giving up 2 pressures and leading the Steelers’ offensive line with a 70.3 overall PFF grade … Opened all 10 games for the 6-4 Steelers.
Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans
Returned after missing one tilt with a minor calf injury and had a big game in a 21-16 triumph over the Arizona Cardinals, with 7 catches for 65 yards … Leads the 6-4 Texans with 43 catches and 696 receiving yards, adding 4 touchdowns in nine clashes with five starts.
Michael Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
The former Michigan and CMU defensive end made 2 tackles in a 21-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday night … Totaled 32 tackles, 6 stops for loss, 5.5 sacks, 8 quarterback hits and 2 pass breakups while starting all 10 contests for the 7-3 Chiefs.
Chris Evans (2016-18, 20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
The former Michigan running back played mostly on special teams in a 34-20 setback to the Baltimore Ravens Thursday night … Rushed twice for 12 yards, caught 1 pass for minus-1 yard and made 2 tackles in eight appearances for the 5-5 Bengals this season.
Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers
Started and posted 2 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 2 quarterback hits and a fumble recovery in a 23-20 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers … Started the last six games and has appeared in 10 for the 4-6 Packers, tallying 23 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hits, 1 pass breakup and a fumble recovery.
Graham Glasgow (2011-15), OL, Detroit Lions
Started at right guard in a 31-26 comeback win over the Chicago Bears, posting a 72.3 overall PFF grade and giving up 2 pressures … Opened the last eight games and played in all 10 for the 8-2 Lions.
Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles
Played 25 defensive snaps and five special teams plays but did not record any statistics in a 21-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs Monday night … Played in all 10 games off the bench for the 9-1 Eagles, totaling 7 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 5 quarterback hits and a pass breakup.
Dax Hill (2019-21), S, Cincinnati Bengals
Registered 7 tackles and a tackle for loss in a 34-20 loss to the Baltimore Ravens Thursday night … Started all 10 outings for the 5-5 Bengals, with 67 tackles, 5 stops for loss, 1.5 sacks, 3 quarterback hits, 2 picks and 8 pass breakups.
James Hudson (2017-18), OT, Cleveland Browns
Started the last two games at right tackle for the 7-3 Browns, both victories, including this weekend’s 13-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers … Played in nine games with two starts.
Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Washington Commanders
Saw time off the bench on defense and on special teams in a 31-19 loss to the New York Giants … Played in all 11 games for the 4-7 Commanders, registering 15 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack and 1 quarterback hit.
Maurice Hurst II (2014-17), DT, Cleveland Browns
The former Michigan defensive tackle racked up a tackle in a 13-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers … Come off the bench in all 10 outings for the 7-3 Browns, registering 17 tackles, 2 stops for loss, a half-sack, 3 quarterback hits, 1 interception and 3 pass breakups.
Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DL, Detroit Lions
Sealed a 31-26 comeback victory over the Chicago Bears with a strip sack that resulted in a Bear kicking the ball out of the back of the end zone for a safety … Totaled 6 tackles, a sack, a quarterback hit and a forced fumble in the win … Leads the 8-2 Lions with 5.5 sacks, adding 32 total tackles, 4 pass breakups, 1 interception, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries while starting all 10 games.
Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys
The former Michigan cornerback had 5 tackles and a forced fumble in a 33-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers … Totaled 23 tackles, 1 stop for loss and 2 forced fumbles in nine games with two starts for the 7-3 Cowboys.
David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Carolina Panthers
Played as a reserve and didn’t have any stats in a 33-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys … Seen time the last two weeks for his new team after being let go by the Las Vegas Raiders.
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Jalen Mayfield (2018-20), G, New York Giants
Did not play in a 31-19 win over the Washington Commanders … Seen action in three contests but hasn’t played in any of the last four.
Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, Indianapolis Colts
Had a bye over the weekend … Competed on special teams in eight clashes for the 5-5 Colts.
Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings
Dropped an interception in the end zone and had 5 tackles and a pass breakup in a 21-20 loss to the Denver Broncos Sunday night … Totaled 72 tackles, 5 coming behind the line of scrimmage, 1 sack, 1 interception and 4 pass breakups while starting all 11 games for the 6-5 Vikings.
Jake Moody (2018-22), K, San Francisco 49ers
Made both of his field goals — from 37 and 28 yards out — in a 27-14 triumph over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers … Also hit all 3 of his extra point attempts … He’s 33-for-33 on PATs and 16-for-19 on field goals this season … Has made his last 5 field goals.
Mike Morris (2019-22), DE, Seattle Seahawks
Out for the season with a shoulder injury after recording 3 tackles in Week 1.
David Ojabo (2019-21), OLB, Baltimore Ravens
Expected to return from injured reserve this week, after suffering an ankle injury early in the season … Played in the first three games, starting one, and made 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit and 1 forced fumble.
Olu Oluwatimi (2022), C, Seattle Seahawks
Played on special teams in a 17-16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams … Competed in nine outings with one start at left guard for the 6-4 Seahawks.
Mike Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots
Had a bye … Started eight games — four at right guard and four at right tackle — for the 2-8 Patriots.
Kwity Paye (2017-20), DE, Indianapolis Colts
Had a bye … Third on the 5-5 Colts with 4.5 sacks, adding 31 tackles, 5 tackles for loss and 2 fumble recoveries … Missed one game but has started the rest.
Donovan Peoples-Jones (2017-19), WR, Detroit Lions
Played three snaps on offense and was targeted once but did not have a reception in his debut for the Detroit Lions, after missing last week’s game while still getting up to speed with the franchise … Caught 8 passes for 97 yards and returned 13 punts with a 6.5-yard average in seven games for the Browns before the move.
Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), DB, New England Patriots
Enjoyed a bye week … Opened all 10 affairs for the 2-8 Patriots, ranking fourth on the team with 59 tackles, adding 4 behind the line of scrimmage … Leads the team with 6 pass breakups and has recorded 1 interception and a forced fumble.
Brad Robbins (2017-22), P, Cincinnati Bengals
Punted 5 times with a 43.4-yard average, allowing only 5 return yards, in a 34-20 loss to the Baltimore Ravens Thursday night … Attempted 48 punts with a 44.8-yard average on the season, playing in all 10 games for the 5-5 Bengals.
Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), C/G, New Orleans Saints
Had a bye … Started nine of 10 games at right guard for the 5-5 Saints.
Jon Runyan (2015-19), G, Green Bay Packers
The former Michigan offensive lineman gave up 2 pressures while starting at right guard in a 23-20 win over the Los Angeles Chargers … Opened all 10 games for the 4-6 Packers this season.
Luke Schoonmaker (2018-22), TE, Dallas Cowboys
Notched career highs in catches (2) and receiving yards (23) with his second professional touchdown in a 33-10 win over the Carolina Panthers … Hauled in 5 receptions for 37 yards and 2 scores for the 7-3 Cowboys.
Mazi Smith (2019-22), DT, Dallas Cowboys
Recorded a tackle in a 33-10 win over the Carolina Panthers … Played in all 10 games off the bench, totaling 9 tackles, including 2 behind the line of scrimmage, and 2 quarterback hits as a rookie.
Ambry Thomas (2017-20), CB, San Francisco 49ers
The former Michigan cornerback had 4 tackles, tied for the second most he’s had in a game this season, in a 27-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers … Competed in nine contests with two starts for the 7-3 49ers, with 24 tackles, a pass breakup, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
DJ Turner II (2019-22), CB, Cincinnati Bengals
Started and posted a sack (first of his career), a tackle for loss (also first) and a quarterback hit in a 34-20 setback to the Baltimore Ravens Thursday evening … Excelled as a rookie, starting the last six outings and appearing in all 10, tallying 20 tackles, 1 stop for loss, a sack, a quarterback hit and 3 pass breakups.
Josh Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots
Had a bye … Missed Weeks 7 and 8 with a foot injury but returned for the last two games … Played in eight outings, making two starts, for the 2-8 Patriots, registering 6 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 sacks and 4 quarterback hits.
