Michigan Wolverines in the NFL: Frank Clark notches game-sealing strip sack, Chris Wormley stands out
Two former Michigan Wolverines in the NFL had standout performances on defense over the weekend.
One of the top Michigan Wolverines in the NFL over the last several years, Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark has 50 sacks for his career, but he’s having a much quieter season than normal, after dealing with legal trouble in the offseason and lingering injuries throughout the campaign.
Monday night, though, Clark made his mark in the Chiefs’ bounce-back win over the New York Giants, notching three tackles and one quarterback hit, before sealing the victory with a strip sack on quarterback Daniel Jones with less than 30 seconds to play. The Giants recovered the fumble but did not convert on fourth down.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Chris Wormley, who’s gotten a big opportunity this season due to injuries along the team’s front, has continued his stellar play.
Wormley has started six straight games, with 20 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two quarterback hits, two pass breakups and one forced fumble. His first solo sack of the season came in this past weekend’s 20-15 win over the Cleveland Browns, when he totaled four stops.
His teammate, former Michigan tight end Zach Gentry, also contributed in a big way. He posted a career-high three catches for 39 yards in what was a defensive slugfest.
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Here is a complete Week 8 update on Michigan Wolverines in the NFL:
Tom Brady (Played at U-M from 1995-99), QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The household name when it comes to Michigan Wolverines in the NFL, Brady started and completed 28 of 40 pass attempts for 375 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions, including a pick-six to effectively end the game, in the 6-2 Buccaneers’ 36-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints … Starting all eight contests, he’s leading the NFL in passing yards (2,650) and touchdowns (25), while completing 67.3 percent of his throws for an average of 7.7 yards per attempt.
Ben Bredeson (2016-19), OL, New York Giants
Started one of his four games for the 2-6 Giants, posting a 43.7 overall Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade … Did not play in his team’s Monday night loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Devin Bush Jr. (2016-18), LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Started and made five tackles in the 4-3 Steelers’ 15-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns … Registered 30 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in six starts and appearances.
Camaron Cheeseman (2016-19), LS, Washington Football Team
Has snapped on punts and placekicks 57 times in seven contests for the 2-6 Football Team.
Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Opened the game and compiled three tackles, one quarterback hit and the game-ending strip sack in the 4-4 Chiefs’ 20-17 win over the New York Giants …. Started all five contests in which he’s played, accumulating six stops, one tackle for loss, four quarterback hits, one sack and one forced fumble.
Mason Cole (2014-17), OL, Minnesota Vikings
Logged four offensive snaps and 34 special teams plays through seven games for the 3-4 Vikings, who lost to the Dallas Cowboys, 20-16, over the weekend.
Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans
Notched four receptions for 55 yards in the 1-7 Texans’ 38-22 loss to the Los Angeles Rams … In five tilts with two starts, he’s tallied 12 catches for 166 yards.
Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Saw action on special teams in the 4-4 Chiefs’ 20-17 triumph over the New York Giants … Opened five of eight contests and has 16 tackles, a team-leading three sacks (tied with veteran Chris Jones) and two forced fumbles.
Chris Evans (2016-20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Did not play in the 5-3 Bengals’ 34-31 loss to the New York Jets due to a hamstring injury … Seen action off the bench in seven contests, totaling eight receptions for 104 yards and one score, and four rushes for 18 yards.
Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers
Started and posted one tackle in the 7-1 Packers’ 24-21 win over the previously-unbeaten Arizona Cardinals Thursday evening … Started all eight contests, with 26 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one stop for loss, 15 quarterback hits and one forced fumble.
Zach Gentry (2015-18), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Started and recorded a career-high three catches for 39 yards in the 4-3 Steelers’ 15-10 win over the Cleveland Browns … Began four of his seven appearances, compiling six receptions for 60 yards.
Graham Glasgow (2011-15), OL, Denver Broncos
Started and played 100 percent of offensive snaps in the 4-4 Broncos’ 17-10 victory over the Washington Football Team … Missed two clashes with injury but has started in all six of his appearances, generating a 63.0 overall PFF grade and yielding two sacks.
Jordan Glasgow (2015-19), LB, Indianapolis Colts
Returned from injury to play 17 special teams snaps in the 3-5 Colts’ 34-31 loss to the Tennessee Titans … Missed five games with a concussion, and has tallied two tackles in three clashes.
Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles
Out for the season with a torn Achilles suffered in Week 1 … Compiled two tackles, including one stop for loss, before the injury.
Chad Henne (2004-07), QB, Kansas City Chiefs
The 36-year-old’s lone appearance of the season came in Week 8, when he completed 11 of 16 passes for 82 yards. He is one of two quarterbacks from the Michigan Wolverines in the NFL
Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Washington Football Team
Logged two defensive snaps and 15 special teams plays, with no statistics, in the 2-6 Football Team’s 17-10 loss to the Denver Broncos … Played on special teams in all eight outings and on defense in four, totaling five tackles and one quarterback hit.
Maurice Hurst (2013-17), DT, San Francisco 49ers
Currently out with a calf injury … Began the season on injured reserve but played two games (weeks four and five) … Has two tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage, for the 3-4 49ers.
Taylor Lewan (2009-13), OL, Tennessee Titans
Returned to start and play all but one offensive snap, after being out in concussion protocol the week prior, in the AFC-leading (6-2 record) Titans’ 34-31 victory over the Indianapolis Colts … Started six outings, posting a 70.7 PFF grade with three sacks allowed and two penalties committed.
Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys
Started and made five tackles with one quarterback hit in the 6-1 Cowboys’ 20-16 win over the Minnesota Vikings … Opened four of his seven appearances, accumulating 21 tackles, two quarterback hits, one fumble recovery, two pass breakups and one interception.
David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Los Angeles Rams
Came off the bench to make two tackles in the 7-1 Rams’ 38-22 victory over the Houston Texans … Began the first four games of the season before playing a reserve role in the most recent four tilts … Registered 23 tackles, three pass breakups and one interception.
Jalen Mayfield (2018-20), OL, Atlanta Falcons
Started all seven contests for the 3-4 Falcons, who lost a 19-13 contest to the Carolina Panthers over the weekend … Has a 38.8 overall PFF rating, with five penalties and five sacks allowed.
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Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, New England Patriots
Recovering from a torn ACL suffered during his 2020 season at Michigan, McGrone remains on the reserve/non-football injury list and may miss the entirety of the campaign.
Sean McKeon (2016-19), TE, Dallas Cowboys
Missed all seven games to this point with an ankle injury, but returned to practice two weeks ago and could be reactivated to the active roster soon.
Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings
Made one tackle in the 3-4 Vikings’ 20-16 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, playing 21 special teams snaps … Mostly playing on special teams, he’s accumulated three tackles in seven clashes.
Bryan Mone (2014-18), DT, Seattle Seahawks
Began the 3-5 Seahawks’ 31-7 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars and made two tackles … Started the last three contests, racking up 19 stops in seven games.
Quinn Nordin (2016-20), K, New England Patriots
On injured reserve with an abdomen injury and has not played during his rookie season.
Michael Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots
Opened the 4-4 Patriots’ 27-24 triumph over the Los Angeles Chargers, marking his sixth start in seven tilts for the season … Registered an 86.9 overall PFF grade for the campaign.
Kwity Paye (2017-19), DE, Indianapolis Colts
Started and made one tackle in the 3-5 Colts’ 34-31 loss to the Tennesee Titans … Missed two contests with a hamstring injury but has started six games, generating 14 tackles and two fumble recoveries.
Donovan Peoples-Jones (2017-19), WR, Cleveland Browns
Missed his second straight game with a groin injury … Has 13 receptions for 228 yards and two touchdowns in six outings with three starts.
Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), S, New York Giants
Suffered a high-ankle sprain and season-ending ACL injury in Week 7 … Began five of six appearances, missing one prior contest with a different injury … Recorded 30 tackles, two stops for loss, four quarterback hits, one sack and one pass breakup, while returning nine punts for 58 yards.
Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), OL, New Orleans Saints
Played every single offensive snap of the season for the 5-2 Saints, who beat divisional rival Tampa Bay, 36-27, Sunday … Has a 56.2 overall PFF rating for the year.
Jon Runyan (2015-19), OL, Green Bay Packers
Made his seventh straight start in the 7-1 Packers’ 24-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals … Opened seven of eight tilts, posting a 63.2 PFF rating.
Michael Schofield (2010-13), OL, Los Angeles Chargers
Began his second straight contest in the 4-3 Chargers’ 27-24 loss to the New England Patriots … Picked up by the team before Week 3 … Started two of four contests, with a 64.0 PFF grade.
Ambry Thomas (2017-19), CB, San Francisco 49ers
Did not play in the 3-4 49ers’ 33-22 win over the Chicago Bears … Recorded three tackles in two clashes.
Josh Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots
Came off the bench and recorded one tackle in the 4-4 Patriots’ 27-24 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers … Played a backup role in all eight clashes, posting eight tackles, three sacks, three quarterback hits and one fumble recovery.
Jarrod Wilson (2012-15), S, New York Jets
Did not make an appearance in the 2-5 Jets’ 34-31 triumph over the Cincinnati Bengals … Began two of four games, totaling nine stops and one quarterback hit.
Chase Winovich (2014-18), DE, New England Patriots
Placed on injured reserve with a hamstring ailment following Week 6 … Has seven tackles and one quarterback hit for the 4-4 Patriots.
Chris Wormley (2012-16), DT, Pittsburgh Steelers
Made his sixth straight start and notched four tackles, one sack and one quarterback hit in the 4-3 Steelers’ 15-10 win over the Cleveland Browns. … In seven outings with six starts for the 4-3 Steelers, he accumulated 20 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two quarterback hits, two pass breakups and one forced fumble … One of the Michigan Wolverines in the NFL who has had a resurgent season.
