Wolverines in the NFL: Two former Michigan players shine on Monday night
Michigan Wolverines football has four players on the Pittsburgh Steelers, two of which were shining stars in the team’s 24-17 win over the Colts Monday night in Indianapolis. The Colts were without former Michigan defensive end Kwity Paye (ankle).
Defensive lineman Chris Wormley and center Mason Cole were both key cogs in the team’s fourth win of the season.
Wormley notched a fumble recovery on first down and goal from the 1-yard line, after the ball was fumbled on a handoff exchange. Colts quarterback Matt Ryan appeared to have the beat on recovering it, but Wormley wrestled it away.
The Steelers led 16-10 at that point. The Colts did score later in the third quarter to make it 17-16, but Pittsburgh won the game with a fourth-quarter touchdown and two-point conversion.
Cole was one of Pittsburgh’s best players on the offensive side. The former Michigan lineman graded out as the fourth-best player on the offense, per PFF (72.7), with no pressures given up on 35 pass-blocking snaps against the Colts, who average 2.6 sacks per game.
The Steelers have now won two of their last three games as they attempt to salvage a disappointing season with a 4-7 record. Former Michigan linebacker Devin Bush Jr. added 8 tackles, good for second on the Steelers, and former U-M tight end Zach Gentry hauled in 1 reception for minus-4 yards.
Here’s a look at how every former Michigan player in the NFL fared in Week 12.
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Tom Brady (Played at Michigan from 1995-99), QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Connected on 29 of his 42 pass attempts for 246 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 23-17 overtime loss to the Cleveland Browns … Was sacked three times … Has completed 66.2 percent of his throws for 3,051 yards and 14 touchdowns with 2 interceptions while starting all 11 games for the 5-6 Buccaneers, who stand atop the NFC South.
Devin Bush Jr. (2016-18), LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Recorded 8 tackles and 1 pass breakup in the 4-7 Steelers’ 24-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts Monday night … Has totaled 62 stops, 1 tackle for loss, 1 quarterback hit and 2 passes defended while starting all 11 games.
Camaron Cheeseman (2016-19), LS, Washington Commanders
Has snapped in all 12 games for the 7-5 Commanders, including this past weekend’s 19-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Notched a season-high 6 tackles with 1 quarterback hit and 1 pass breakup in the 9-2 Chiefs’ 26-10 victory over the Los Angeles Rams … Has tallied 23 tackles, 3 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, 9 quarterback hits, 1 pass breakup and 1 fumble recovery while starting nine games this year.
Mason Cole (2014-17), OL, Pittsburgh Steelers
Started and played every offensive snap at center in the 4-7 Steelers’ 24-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts Monday night … Has opened all 11 games this season, posting a 68.7 overall PFF grade with 15 pressures and 2 sacks allowed.
Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans
Started and hauled in 6 receptions for 44 yards in the 1-9-1 Texans’ 30-15 setback to the Miami Dolphins … In nine games with seven starts, he’s made 34 receptions — 1 more than he had in 14 games as a rookie in 2021 — for 446 yards (same amount as last season) and 1 touchdown.
Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Came off the bench and made 4 tackles and 2 quarterback hits in the 9-2 Chiefs’ 26-10 triumph over the Los Angeles Rams … Has totaled 17 tackles, including 2 for loss and 2 sacks, and 5 quarterback hits in seven games as a backup this season.
Chris Evans (2016-20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Played as a reserve and did not record any statistics during the 7-4 Bengals’ 20-16 win over the Tennessee Titans … Registered 2 receptions for 30 yards in 10 games.
Zach Gentry (2015-18), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Opened the game and caught 1 pass for minus-4 yards in the 4-7 Steelers’ 24-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts Monday night … Has started eight of 11 games and caught 15 passes for 96 yards.
Graham Glasgow (2011-15), OL, Denver Broncos
Started at center and played every offensive snap in the 3-8 Broncos’ 23-10 loss to the Carolina Panthers … Has started seven of his 11 appearances for the season, with a 58.8 overall PFF grade and 9 pressures (1 sack) given up.
Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles
Notched a tackle, a half-sack and 1 quarterback hit as a backup during the 10-1 Eagles’ 40-33 win over the Philadelphia Eagles … Has totaled 21 stops, 5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and 9 quarterback hits in 11 appearances off the bench.
Hassan Haskins (2018-21), RB, Tennessee Titans
Made 1 tackle on special teams in the 7-4 Titans’ 20-16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals … Tied for the NFL’s lead with 13 special teams tackles … Has rushed 10 times for 42 times and caught 3 passes for 7 yards on the season … Returned 19 kicks for 414 yards.
Chad Henne (2004-07), QB, Kansas City Chiefs
The former Michigan quarterback has played in two contests during mop-up duty for the 9-2 Chiefs.
Dax Hill (2019-21), S, Cincinnati Bengals
Registered 1 hit on the quarterback in the 7-4 Bengals’ 20-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans … Has seen action in 10 games with 1 start, making 3 tackles and 1 quarterback hit.
Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Washington Commanders
Played on special teams and 1 play on defense in the 7-5 Commanders’ 19-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons … Has appeared in eight games, mostly on special teams, recording 2 tackles.
Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DL, Detroit Lions
Started but did not have any tackles in the 4-7 Lions’ 28-25 setback to the Buffalo Bills Thanksgiving Day … Generated 2 pressures … Leads all rookies with 5.5 sacks and 33 pressures, while adding 31 tackles, 4 stops for loss, 10 quarterback hits and 2 interceptions.
David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Los Angeles Rams
The former Michigan cornerback started and posted 2 tackles in the 3-8 Rams’ 26-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs …Has appeared in eight games with three starts and racked up 19 tackles and 1 pass breakup.
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Sean McKeon (2016-19), TE, Dallas Cowboys
Played 17 offensive snaps but did not have any targets or catches in the 8-3 Cowboys’ 28-20 victory over the New York Giants Thanksgiving Day.
Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings
Came off the bench but did not register any statistics in the 9-2 Vikings’ 33-26 win over the New England Patriots Thanksgiving Day … Has started one of his 11 games with 24 tackles, 1 stop for loss and 2 pass breakups.
Bryan Mone (2014-18), DT, Seattle Seahawks
Made 2 tackles in the 6-5 Seahawks’ 40-34 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders … Has totaled 19 tackles, 1 stop for loss and 1 quarterback hit in 10 games with two starts.
David Ojabo (2019-21), OLB, Baltimore Ravens
Began practicing with the team Nov. 2 after being activated to the roster the prior day, following a torn Achilles he suffered at Michigan’s pro day in March … Has been available the last two weeks but hasn’t made his debut.
Michael Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots
Started at right guard in the 6-5 Patriots’ 33-26 loss to the Minnesota Vikings Thanksgiving Day … Has started all 11 games this season, with an 84.7 overall PFF rating (second on the Patriots’ offense) and 6 pressures (no sacks) given up.
Kwity Paye (2017-19), DE, Indianapolis Colts
Has missed the last three games with an ankle injury … The former Michigan defensive end has payed in seven contests, posting 24 tackles, 6 stops for loss, 4 sacks and 6 quarterback hits.
Donovan Peoples-Jones (2017-19), WR, Cleveland Browns
Started and nabbed 2 receptions for 16 yards in the 4-7 Browns’ 23-17 win overtime win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers … The former Michigan wideout has opened nine of his 11 games with 42 receptions for 593 yards and 1 touchdown.
Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), S, New England Patriots
Notched 3 tackles while coming off the bench in the 6-5 Patriots’ 33-26 loss to the Minnesota Vikings Thanksgiving Day … Has started three of 11 contests this year, with 38 tackles, including 1 for loss, and 1 forced fumble.
Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), OL, New Orleans Saints
The former Michigan offensive lineman has opened all 12 games at right guard for the 4-8 Saints, including this past weekend’s 13-0 loss to the San Francisco 49ers … Has a 57.0 overall PFF grade with 13 pressures and 2 sacks allowed this year.
Jon Runyan (2015-19), OL, Green Bay Packers
Started at right guard in the 4-8 Packers’ 40-33 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles … Has opened all 12 games this year — six at left guard and six at right guard — with a 64.4 overall PFF rating … Given up 11 pressures and 2 sacks.
Ambry Thomas (2017-19), CB, San Francisco 49ers
The former Michigan cornerback registered 1 tackle in the 7-4 49ers’ 13-0 win over the New Orleans Saints … Has recorded 7 tackles this season, coming off the bench in 10 games.
Josh Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots
Notched a sack, a tackle for loss and 1 quarterback hit in the 7-6 Patriots’ 33-26 loss to the Minnesota Vikings Thanksgiving Day … Has totaled 12 tackles, 5 for loss, 5 sacks and 4 quarterback hits in nine appearances as a backup.
Chris Wormley (012-16), DE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Recorded 2 tackles and 1 fumble recovery in the 4-7 Steelers’ 24-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts Monday night … Has posted 24 tackles and 3 stops for loss in 11 games with 1 start.
Injured reserve
The following are Michigan football players who are currently on teams but listed as on the injured reserve:
• Packers OLB Rashan Gary
• Giants OL Ben Bredeson
• Cowboys CB Jourdan Lewis
• Titans OL Taylor Lewan
• Patriots K Quinn Nordin
• Patriots OL Andrew Stueber
• Cowboys TE Ian Bunting
• Ravens LB Josh Ross
• Falcons OL Jalen Mayfield
• Browns DE Chase Winovich
Practice squad
The following are former Michigan players on NFL practice squads:
• WR Daylen Baldwin — Browns
• DE Taco Charlton — Saints
• CB Vincent Gray — Sainrts
• DB Brad Hawkins — Patriots
• LB Carlo Kemp — Chargers
• LB Cameron McGrone — Patriots
