Wolverines in the NFL: Nico Collins scores first career touchdown, Tom Brady selected to 15th Pro Bowl
Former Michigan Wolverines football wide receiver Nico Collins found the end zone for the first time in the Houston Texans’ fourth win of the season. Collins caught a pass on a slant route with 2:32 to go in the game and took it in for the 13-yard score, extending his team’s lead to 34-23 after the extra point in a 41-29 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Meanwhile, former Michigan defensive end Rashan Gary continues to shine for one of the best teams in the NFL, the Green Bay Packers. Gary recorded three tackles, two sacks, two stops for loss and three quarterback hits in a 24-22 Christmas Day win over the Cleveland Browns. The performance put Gary in the team lead with 8.5 sacks on the season. The Packers are now 12-3, with the best record in the NFC, putting them in line for a first-round bye should the standings hold. Gary has been named a Pro Bowl alternate.
Former Michigan quarterback Tom Brady is the lone Wolverine to be named to this year’s Pro Bowl roster, representing the NFC. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signal-caller and seven-time Super Bowl champion has now been selected to an NFL-record 15 Pro Bowls.
Here is an update on every former Michigan player in the NFL for Week 16:
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Tom Brady (Played at Michigan from 1995-99), QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Connected on 18 of his 30 pass attempts for 232 yards and one touchdown in a 32-6 blowout victory over the Carolina Panthers to clinch the NFC South title and a playoff berth. Completed 66.8 percent of his passes for a league-high 37 touchdowns and NFL-best 4,580 yards yards while starting all 15 contests for the 11-4 Buccaneers.
Ben Bredeson (2016-19), OL, New York Giants
Did not play (ankle injury) in the Giants’ 34-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles … Started one of his six appearances for the 4-11 Giants, posting a 51.4 overall Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade.
Devin Bush Jr. (2016-18), LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Missed the team’s 36-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on the Reserve/COVID list … Compiled 66 tackles, two stops for loss, four quarterback hits, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 13 starts for the 7-7-1 Steelers.
Taco Charlton (2013-16), DE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Tallied one tackle in a 36-10 setback to the Kansas City Chiefs … Started one of his nine appearances for the 7-7-1 Steelers … Made 18 tackles, a half-sack and two quarterback hits on the year.
Camaron Cheeseman (2016-19), LS, Washington Football Team
Snapped on kicks and punts in all 15 games for the 6-9 Football Team, which was blown out by the Dallas Cowboys Sunday night, 56-14.
Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Started and registered one tackle for loss, one sack and one quarterback hit in a 36-10 triumph over the Pittsburgh Steelers … Tallied 19 tackles, three stops for loss, 3.5 sacks (second on team), two forced fumbles and 16 quarterback hits in 12 starts and tilts for the 11-4 Chiefs.
Mason Cole (2014-17), OL, Minnesota Vikings
Placed on injured reserve with an elbow injury Dec. 24 … Made 14 appearances for the 7-8 Vikings, with a 69.5 overall PFF rating.
Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans
Made his fifth straight start and hauled in three receptions for 33 yards, scoring his first career touchdown from 13 yards out to give the Texans a 34-23 lead en route to a 41-29 win over the Los Angeles Chargers … Opened seven of his 12 contests for the 4-11 Texans, recording 28 catches for 344 yards and one score.
Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Recorded one tackle in a 36-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers … Started six of his 15 games for the 11-4 Chiefs, with three sacks (third on team), 25 tackles, three stops for loss, nine quarterback hits, one pass breakup and two forced fumbles.
Chris Evans (2016-20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Had one rush for one yard in a 41-21 win over the Baltimore Ravens … Made 12 appearances off the bench for the 9-6 Bengals, notching 11 receptions for 127 yards and one score, while also rushing 10 times for 42 yards.
Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers
The former Michigan defensive end notched three tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss and three quarterback hits in a 24-22 victory over the Cleveland Browns Christmas day … Started 14 clashes for the 12-3 Packers, registering 42 stops, including six for loss, 8.5 sacks (leads team), two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and 24 quarterback hits.
Zach Gentry (2015-18), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Made his fifth consecutive start and racked up four catches for 31 yards in a 36-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs … Started in 10 of his 15 contests, hauling in 14 receptions for 128 yards for the 7-7-1 Steelers.
Graham Glasgow (2011-15), OL, Denver Broncos
Started seven of nine games, but is out for the season with an ankle fracture.
Jordan Glasgow (2015-19), LB, Indianapolis Colts
Tallied one tackle while competing on special teams in a 22-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals … Made 10 appearances for the 9-6 Colts, with the bulk of his action coming on special teams … Recorded six tackles.
Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles
The former Michigan defensive end is 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
Fumbled twice and had two carries for zero yards in a 36-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, marking his fourth appearance of the season off the bench for the 11-4 Chiefs … Completed 11 of 16 pass attempts for 82 yards on the year.
Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Washington Football Team
Out with a sprained ankle … Made 12 appearances with one start for the 6-9 Football Team, generating nine tackles and one quarterback hit while mostly playing special teams.
Maurice Hurst (2013-17), DT, San Francisco 49ers
Missed time on injured reserve with a calf ailment, has since been activated but hasn’t played since Week 5 … Made two tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage, for the 8-6 49ers.
Taylor Lewan (2009-13), OL, Tennessee Titans
Missed a 20-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers with a back injury … Started 11 outings for the 10-5 Titans, posting a 73.2 overall PFF grade with four sacks allowed.
Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys
The former Michigan cornerback missed a 56-14 win over the Washington Football Team on the Reserve/COVID-19 list … Began 11 games in his 14 appearances for the 11-4 Cowboys, totaling three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, 53 tackles, one stop for loss and three quarterback hits.
David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Los Angeles Rams
Posted one tackle and one pass breakup in a 30-23 win over the Minnesota Vikings … Started five of his 13 games for the 11-4 Rams, with 35 tackles, five pass breakups and one interception.
Jalen Mayfield (2018-20), OL, Atlanta Falcons
Played every offensive snap in a 20-16 win over the Detroit Lions, giving up one sack and committing two penalties … Started all 15 tilts for the 7-8 Falcons and has a 49.9 overall PFF rating with 10 sacks allowed and seven penalties committed.
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Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, New England Patriots
The Patriots opted not to elevate the former Michigan linebacker to the active roster after he returned from the injured reserve following Week 14, making him ineligible for the remainder of the season.
Sean McKeon (2016-19), TE, Dallas Cowboys
Came off the bench but did not produce any offense in a 56-14 win over the Washington Football Team … Began two of his seven outings after returning from injury … Compiled four receptions for 27 yards and one touchdown for the 11-4 Cowboys.
Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings
Played on special teams in a 23-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams … Competed on special teams and saw a handful of defensive snaps in 14 games for the 7-8 Vikings, tallying six tackles for the season.
Bryan Mone (2014-18), DT, Seattle Seahawks
The former Michigan defensive tackle missed his second straight game with an illness, not playing in a 25-24 loss to the Chicago Bears … Started four of his 12 games, producing 31 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and three quarterback hits for the 5-10 Seahawks.
Michael Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots
Started as an extra offensive lineman but played just 20 snaps in a 33-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills … Began eight of his 14 appearances for the 9-6 Patriots, generating an 88.8 overall PFF mark with one sack allowed.
Kwity Paye (2017-19), DE, Indianapolis Colts
Started and notched one tackle in a 22-16 victory over the Arizona Cardinals … Started all 13 of his appearances for the 9-6 Colts, registering 24 tackles, three stops for loss, three sacks, eight quarterback hits and two fumble recoveries … According to Pro Football Focus, he ranks second among NFL rookies in pass rush win rate (15.0, trailing only the 24 percent from Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons).
Donovan Peoples-Jones (2017-19), WR, Cleveland Browns
Started and made one reception for five yards and returned three punts for 26 yards in a 24-22 loss to the Green Bay Packers … Opened seven of his 12 contests and racked up 28 catches for 483 yards and three touchdowns for the 7-8 Browns, with four punt returns for 46 yards.
Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), S, New York Giants
Suffered a high-ankle sprain and season-ending ACL injury in Week 7, after beginning five of six appearances and recording 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
The former Michigan offensive lineman played every offensive snap during a 20-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins Monday night … Started all 15 clashes for the 7-8 Saints and has a 59.3 overall PFF rating with five sacks allowed.
Jon Runyan (2015-19), OL, Green Bay Packers
Started and played every offensive snap in a 24-22 triumph over the Cleveland Browns … Started 14 of his 15 games for the 12-3 Packers, earning a 64.2 overall PFF grade with two sacks yielded.
Michael Schofield (2010-13), OL, Los Angeles Chargers
Was in on every offensive snap in a 41-29 loss to the Houston Texans … Opened 10 of his 13 tilts for the 8-7 Chargers, recording a 64.5 overall PFF grade with one sack given up.
Ambry Thomas (2017-19), CB, San Francisco 49ers
The former Michigan cornerback started his third consecutive contest, with one tackle and two pass breakups in a 20-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans … Started three games and has appeared in 10 … Registered 19 tackles and four pass breakups for the 8-7 49ers.
Josh Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots
Saw eight snaps but did not record any statistics in a 33-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills, marking his return after missing six weeks with an injury … Totaled 10 tackles, a fumble recovery and three sacks in 10 tilts off the bench for the 9-6 Patriots.
Jarrod Wilson (2012-15), S, San Francisco 49ers
Came off the bench and made two tackles in a 20-17 setback to the Tennessee Titans … Tallied 14 tackles, two stops for loss and three quarterback hits in five games with three starts for the Jets, before being released Dec. 7 … Picked up by the 8-7 San Francisco 49ers Dec. 9 and has recorded three tackles in three appearances.
Chase Winovich (2014-18), DE, New England Patriots
The former Michigan defensive end competed on special teams and registered one tackle in a 33-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills … Appeared in 11 games in a backup role for the 9-6 Patriots, producing eight tackles and one quarterback hit.
Chris Wormley (2012-16), DT, Pittsburgh Steelers
Missed a 36-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs with a groin injury … Opened 13 of his 14 games for the 7-7-1 Steelers, with 44 tackles, 6.0 sacks (third on team), five stops behind the line of scrimmage, nine quarterback hits, one forced fumble and two passes defended.
