Wolverines in the NFL: Rashan Gary heating up, Kwity Paye calls game
Former Michigan Wolverines football defensive lineman Rashan Gary had a slow start to the season, but he’s turned things around recently. His production has been on the uptick as the Packers look to make a run to the postseason.
Gary leads Green Bay with 25 pressures, but he only had 6 in the first five game. He’s posted 19 in the last five, averaging 3.8 per contest over that span, and has registered 2.5 sacks in the last four contests. For context, he tallied 24.5 sacks in a 42-game stretch from 2021-23.
Packers sent veteran edge rusher Preston Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of the trade deadline, signaling that despite Green Bay’s struggles to get home on the quarterback, there’s confidence in Gary and Co. to do so down the stretch.
“Step up,” Gary said of how he and his edge rusher teammates took the move. “Step up. Plain and simple. There’s a big opportunity. Everybody prays and asks for opportunities like this, so the opportunity’s out there. Let’s make the most of it and finish the season how we want to finish it.”
The Packers are right in the thick of the NFC North and Wild Card races, sitting at 7-3, behind the Detroit Lions (9-1) and Minnesota Vikings (8-2) in the division. Green Bay has played three of six divisional games so far, with big opportunities ahead.
Another former Michigan defensive end is standing out: Indianapolis Colts starter Kwity Paye. He notched the game-sealing sack on New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers before time expired. Rodgers is known for pulling off late-game heroics, but Paye prevented any from happening with a takedown that ensured the Colts would walk away with the 28-27 triumph.
“It was an amazing feeling,” Paye said of the final sack. “Kinda what I noticed, too, on those plays, D-linemen usually just try to keep the quarterback in the pocket, and I feel like the O-linemen kinda feel the same way. I was like, ‘You know what? I’m gonna go all out on this last play,’ and just kept pushing. He was escaping through the ‘B’ gap all game, so I was like I know I’m gonna be able to retrace back to the ‘B’ gap and steal one.”
The Colts had taken the lead with 46 seconds to go, and Paye actually had 2 sacks on the Jets’ final possession, on back-to-back plays.
Here’s a look at how every former Michigan player in the NFL performed in Week 11:
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Erick All (played at Michigan from 2019-21), TE, Cincinnati Bengals
Racked up 20 catches for 158 yards, starting six of nine games for the 4-7 Bengals … Suffered a torn ACL Nov. 3 and will miss the remainder of the season.
AJ Barner (2023), TE, Seattle Seahawks
The former Indiana and Michigan tight end caught 2 passes for 15 yards with a 9-yard long in a 20-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers … Hauled in 16 receptions for 147 yards with 10 first downs and 1 touchdown in 10 appearances with four starts for the 5-5 Seahawks.
Ronnie Bell (2018-22), WR, San Francisco 49ers
The former Michigan wideout was inactive for a 20-17 setback to the Seattle Seahawks … Made 2 catches for 22 yards in eight games this season.
Ben Bredeson (2016-19), OG, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Had a bye week … Started all 10 outings at left guard for the 4-6 Buccaneers, generating a 55.1 overall PFF rating with 18 pressures and no sacks given up.
Devin Bush (2016-18), LB, Cleveland Browns
The former Michigan All-American collected 8 tackles for the second straight game in a 35-14 setback to the New Orleans Saints … Opened six of 10 clashes for the 2-8 Browns, ranking fourth on the team with 46 tackles, adding 1 sack and a pass breakup.
Zach Charbonnet (2019-20), RB, Seattle Seahawks
Rushed 4 times for 3 yards and caught 2 passes for 2 yards with a 7-yard long in a 20-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers … Totaled 216 rushing yards on 65 carries and 191 receiving yards on 27 catches in 10 appearances with two starts.
Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans
The former Michigan wideout made his return from injury, playing in a 34-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys Monday night for the first time since Oct. 6 … Caught 4 passes for 54 yards … Notched 36 receptions for 621 yards and 3 touchdowns on 52 targets.
Junior Colson (2021-23), LB, Los Angeles Chargers
Exited a Nov. 3 game with an ankle injury and was placed on injured reserve, but head coach Jim Harbaugh said he’s expected to return at some point this season … Has 14 tackles and 1 pass breakup in six bench appearances on the season.
Blake Corum (2020-23), RB, Los Angeles Rams
Rushed 5 times — tied for the second most in a game this season — for 21 yards with a 10-yard long and made 1 grab for 7 yards in a 28-22 victory over the New England Patriots … Played in all 10 games off the bench, racking up 101 rushing yards on 28 attempts and 4 catches for 31 yards.
Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Registered 4 tackles and a pass breakup in a 30-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills — the 9-1 Chiefs’ first setback of the season … Played in six games, starting all of them, while missing time with an injury … Totaled 20 tackles, a half-sack, 3 quarterback hits and a pass breakup.
Chris Evans (2016-18, ’20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Out for season (knee injury).
Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers
Notched a season-high 6 tackles, adding a tackle for loss, 1 sack and 2 quarterback hits in a 20-19 victory over the Chicago Bears … Registered 30 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 pass breakup, 4 tackles for loss and 10 quarterback hits while starting all 10 clashes for the 7-3 Packers.
Graham Glasgow (2012-15), OL, Detroit Lions
Opened at left guard in a 52-6 blowout victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in which the Lions didn’t yield a sack and rushed for 196 yards on 43 attempts (4.3 per carry) … Glasgow posted an 82.9 PFF pass-protection grade in the victory … He’s at 63.8 in that category this season, allowing 17 pressures and 2 sacks … Started all 10 games for the 9-1 Lions, including one at center while starter Frank Ragnow was ou.
Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles
The former Michigan defensive end posted 4 tackles, 2 stops for loss, a quarterback hit and a sack in a 26-18 win over the Washington Commanders … He has 1.5 sacks in the last two games .and 2.5 on the season … Started one of 10 games for the 8-2 Eagles, registering 18 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 4 stops for loss and 4 quarterback hits.
Jaylen Harrell (2020-23), OLB, Tennessee Titans
Made a tackle in a 23-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings … Saw 25 snaps on defense and 12 on special teams … Seen action in 10 outings for the 2-8 Titans, totaling 10 tackles, including 2 for loss.
Hassan Haskins (2018-21), RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Had 2 short-yardage carries for 1 yard in a 34-27 triumph over the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday night … Rushed 12 times for 23 yards with 5 first downs in 10 outings for the 7-3 Chargers.
LaDarius Henderson (2023), OG, Houston Texans
On the “reserve/non-football injury” list, having undergone foot surgery in July.
Dax Hill (2019-21), CB, Cincinnati Bengals
Suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 5, after totaling 25 tackles and 2 pass breakups as a starter at cornerback.
Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Cleveland Browns
Played 15 special teams snaps in a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints … Registered 4 tackles in 10 games.
James Hudson III (2017-18), OT, Cleveland Browns
Hasn’t played since Sept. 29 … Made three starts and saw action in four tilts this year.
Maurice Hurst II (2014-17), DT, Cleveland Browns
Posted 3 tackles in a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints … Collected 12 tackles, 2 stops for loss, a half-sack and a quarterback hit in six games with two starts.
Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DE, Detroit Lions
Out indefinitely with a broken fibula and tibia suffered Oct. 13 at Dallas … He has 19 tackles, 7 stops for loss, 7.5 sacks, 17 quarterback hits and a forced fumble while opening five tilts.
Kris Jenkins (2020-23), DT, Cincinnati Bengals
Registered a tackle for no gain in a 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday night … Tallied 17 tackles, including 1 for loss and a sack, in nine outings with three starts for the 4-7 Bengals.
Trevor Keegan (2019-23), OG, Philadelphia Eagles
Yet to make his NFL debut as a rookie.
Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys
The former Michigan cornerback missed Monday night’s loss to the Houston Texans with a neck injury … Started six of his nine tilts for the 3-7 Cowboys, recording 3 pass breakups, a fumble recovery, 36 tackles and a stop for loss.
J.J. McCarthy (2021-23), QB, Minnesota Vikings
Set to miss the entire season with a knee injury suffered in preseason … Underwent a second surgery in November.
Braiden McGregor (2020-23), EDGE, New York Jets
Was inactive for a 28-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts … The undrafted free agent has tallied 6 tackles in as many games for the 3-8 Jets.
Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, Indianapolis Colts
The former Michigan linebacker logged 20 special teams snaps in a 28-27 victory over the New York Jets … Seen action in four contests, making his season debut Oct. 27 after dealing with injury, making 1 tackle.
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Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings
Recorded 3 tackles in a 23-13 win over the Tennessee Titans … Tallied 54 tackles, including 2 for loss, an interception and 3 pass breakups in 10 games with four starts for the 8-2 Vikings.
Joe Milton (2018-20), QB, New England Patriots
Yet to make his NFL debut.
Jake Moody (2018-22), K, San Francisco 49ers
Nailed a 33-yard field goal — his only attempt of the game — to put his team up 10-6 in the third quarter of a 20-17 setback to the Seattle Seahawks … He’s 17-of-21 with a 53-yard long on field goals in seven games for the 5-5 49ers.
Mike Morris (2019-22), DE, Seattle Seahawks
The former Michigan defensive end saw 19 special teams snaps in a 20-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers … Collected 5 tackles in nine appearances.
David Ojabo (2019-21), OLB, Baltimore Ravens
A healthy scratch for the third time in the last four weeks, Ojabo did not play in an 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers … Recorded 5 tackles, 1 stop for loss, 1 sack and 4 quarterback hits in eight games off the bench for the 7-4 Ravens.
Olu Oluwatimi (2022), C, Seattle Seahawks
Starter Connor Williams medically retired last week, meaning Oluwatimi has become the team’s starting center … He made his fifth appearance and first start of the season in a 20-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers … He posted a perfect pass block win rate, per ESPN Stats and Info, with 27 wins and zero losses on qualifying pass plays.
Mike Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots
Started at right guard in a 28-22 setback to the Los Angeles Rams … Opened all 11 games this season — five at right tackle and six at right guard — and possesses a 66.1 overall PFF rating with 25 pressures and no sacks allowed.
Kwity Paye (2017-20), DE, Indianapolis Colts
Recorded 2 sacks with under a minute to go to secure a 28-27 win over the New York Jets, with the second one coming on 3rd and 7, the final play before time expired … Tallied 5.5 sacks to go along with 27 tackles, including 7 for loss, and a forced fumble in nine games with as many starts for the 5-6 Colts.
Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), S, New England Patriots
Recorded 23 tackles and 2 pass breakups while starting four games before being charged with alleged assault, strangulation and drug possession and landing on the NFL’s commissioner’s exempt list … Franchise owner Robert Kraft said Peppers will be “gone” from the team if the allegations wind up true, but the team is waiting to confirm the facts.
Brad Robbins (2017-22), P, Cincinnati Bengals
On injured reserve with a leg injury he suffered in mid-August.
Josh Ross (2017-21), LB, Seattle Seahawks
Made a tackle on special teams in a 20-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers … That was his first tackle for the Seattle Seahawks, with which he’s played for three games, after seeing time in seven outings for the Baltimore Ravens (5 tackles).
Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), C/G, New Orleans Saints
Started at right guard in a 35-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns, grading out at 87.4 as a pass blocker and 62.6 overall per PFF … Started seven games for the 4-7 Saints.
Jon Runyan (2016-19), OG, New York Giants
Had a bye … Started all 10 games at left guard, recording a 58.5 overall PFF grade with 21 pressures and 1 sacks given up.
Mike Sainristil (2019-23), CB, Washington Commanders
The former Michigan defensive back notched a career high 2 pass breakups with 6 tackles in a 26-18 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday night … Started in 10 of his 11 appearances for the 7-4 Commanders, recording 55 tackles, including 1 for loss, and 8 pass breakups with an interception that was returned for 38 yards.
Luke Schoonmaker (2018-22), TE, Dallas Cowboys
The former Michigan tight end tied his season high with 6 catches and set his best mark of the year with 56 receiving yards on 10 targets in a 34-10 setback to the Houston Texans Monday night … Has 14 catches for 112 yards in 10 outings with two starts.
Mazi Smith (2019-22), DT, Dallas Cowboys
Posted 4 tackles in a 34-10 loss to the Houston Texans … Tallied 25 tackles, including 2 for loss, while starting all 10 games.
Benjamin St-Juste (2017-18), CB, Washington Commanders
The former Michigan and Minnesota defensive back made a season-best 7 tackles in a 26-18 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles … Totaled 54 tackles, 7 pass breakups and a forced fumble while opening all 11 clashes.
Andrew Stueber (2017-21), OT/G, Cincinnati Bengals
Signed by the Bengals off the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad in early October … Appeared in the last four games, seeing time on special teams in all four and logging one snap on offense.
Ambry Thomas (2017-19), CB, San Francisco 49ers
On the injured reserve with a forearm injury that has held him out of every game so far.
DJ Turner II (2019-12), CB, Cincinnati Bengals
Registered a season-high 3 pass breakups with 1 tackle in a 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, before going down with what appeared to be a clavicle injury … Reportedly likely out for the season … Racked up 29 tackles, 8 pass breakups and a tackle for loss in 11 games with six starts.
Joshua Uche (2016-19), LB, Kansas City Chiefs
Played but didn’t record any stats in a 30-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills … Played seven games with the New England Patriots, making 13 tackles and 2 sacks, before being traded to the Kansas City Chiefs … Seen action in three contests for the Chiefs, with 2 tackles.
Ben VanSumeren (2018-20), LB/FB, Philadelphia Eagles
Saw time on special teams in a 26-18 win over the Washington Commanders … Played in 10 games in all three phases (offense, defense, special teams) so far, totaling 1 catch and 3 tackles.
Josh Wallace (2023), CB, Los Angeles Rams
Logged 18 special teams snaps in a 28-22 win over the New England Patriots … Competed in 10 tilts with two starts, recording 2 tackles and a pair of pass breakups.
Roman Wilson (2020-23), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Missed the beginning of the season with an ankle injury, appeared in two games with no stats but was placed on the injured reserve Oct. 28 (hamstring).
Zak Zinter (2020-23), OG, Cleveland Browns
Played on special teams and three snaps as an extra offensive lineman in a 35-14 setback to the New Orleans Saints … Competed in 10 games with three starts.
