Wolverines in the NFL: Rashan Gary rising at the right time, with 4 sacks in last five games
Up 14-0 in a crucial game at Seattle Dec. 15, Green Bay Packers outside linebacker and former Michigan Wolverines football standout Rashan Gary took down quarterback Geno Smith on third-and-2, forcing a field goal. Gary got up, did a quick dance to celebrate and trotted off the field.
It was his fourth sack of the last five games, marking a dominant stretch after a slow start to the season. Gary has also registered 16 of his 36 pressures on the season in the last five games. His 4 sacks since Week 10 are tied for the ninth-most in the NFL during that span.
Gary posted only 2.5 sacks in the first nine games, meaning he was on pace for one of his least productive seasons in the league. That’s coming off his second career 9-sack campaign, too, adding to the disappointment.
It took some time for the sixth-year pro to adjust to new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s scheme, in all reality.
“We need to get more out of him,” Hafley said in October, “and he needs to get more out of me. That’s just the facts, right? We need to work together on that.”
Hafley said Dec. 12 — before the game at Seattle — that he believes Gary has gotten more comfortable, and the 6-foot-5, 277-pounder noted how important he is to the team, saying “the better I play, the better this defense is as a whole unit.” The Packers are 11-2, in the hunt for a wildcard berth, with high hopes on making a run to the Super Bowl.
“The next step for me — just find a way to be unblockable,” Gary said. “Doesn’t matter if I’m getting chipped, doesn’t matter if I’m the most-chipped guy in the league, it really doesn’t matter. Whatever blocking scheme they throw 52 his way, he should be able to beat it and be an impact regardless.”
Here’s a look at how every former Michigan player in the NFL performed in Week 15:
Erick All (played at Michigan from 2019-21), TE, Cincinnati Bengals
Notched 20 catches for 158 yards, starting six of nine games before suffering a torn ACL Nov. 3 that will force him to miss the rest of the year.
AJ Barner (2023), TE, Seattle Seahawks
Caught 1 pass for 5 yards in a 30-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers Sunday night … Played in 14 games with five starts for the 8-6 Seahawks … His 22 receptions and 193 receiving yards rank second among rookie tight ends (behind Las Vegas’ Brock Bowers), and his 2 touchdown grabs check in second.
Ben Bredeson (2016-19), OG, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Started in a 40-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers … Opened all 14 contests at left guard for the 8-6 Buccaneers, registering a 57.0 overall PFF rating.
Devin Bush (2016-18), LB, Cleveland Browns
Posted 4 tackles in a 21-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs … Registered 67 tackles, including 5 for loss, and 1 pass breakup in 14 outings with nine starts for the 3-11 Browns.
Zach Charbonnet (2019-20), RB, Seattle Seahawks
Notched 8 rushes for 54 yards and a touchdown, which cut the deficit to 23-13 in the fourth quarter of a 30-13 setback to the Green Bay Packers … Carried 30 times for 188 yards and 3 touchdowns in a two-week stretch from Dec. 8 to Dec. 15 in which starter Kenneth Walker III was out with injury … Totaled 454 yards and 8 scores in 105 rushes and 275 receiving yards and 1 touchdown on 37 catches in 14 appearances with four starts.
Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans
The former Michigan wide receiver caught 4 passes for 17 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 20-12 victory over the Miami Dolphins … Returned Nov. 18 from a hamstring injury — he was leading the league in receiving yards before going down Oct. 6 … Posted 53 catches for 849 yards and 6 touchdowns, leading the 9-5 Texans in all three categories while playing and starting nine contests.
Junior Colson (2021-23), LB, Los Angeles Chargers
Tallied a career-high 6 tackles in a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers … Registered 22 tackles and a pass breakup in eight clashes off the bench for the 8-6 Chargers.
Blake Corum (2020-23), RB, Los Angeles Rams
The former Michigan running back had 3 carries for 5 yards and 2 receptions for 15 yards in a 12-6 Thursday night win over the San Francisco 49ers … Earned 19 carries that went for 81 yards in his last three games, all victories … Rushed 48 times for 187 yards in 14 games on the season for the 8-6 Rams.
Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Registered 4 tackles in a 21-7 win over the Cleveland Browns … Tallied 35 tackles, including 2 for loss, 1.5 sacks, 5 quarterback hits, 1 pass breakup and 1 forced fumble while starting all 10 games in which he’s competed for the 13-1 Chiefs.
Chris Evans (2016-18, ’20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Out for the season with a knee injury.
Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers
The former Michigan defensive end recorded 2 tackles, including 1 behind the line of scrimmage, and a sack in a 30-13 triumph over the Seattle Seahawks … Four of his 6.5 sacks and 16 of his 36 pressures have come in the last five games … Leads the team in both categories, and has added 39 total tackles, 1 pass breakup and a forced fumble in 14 starts for the 10-4 Packers.
Graham Glasgow (2012-15), OL, Detroit Lions
Opened a 48-42 shootout loss to the Buffalo Bills … Started all 14 outings for the 12-2 Lions, including 13 at left guard … Generated a 55.9 overall PFF rating.
Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles
The 36-year-old tore his triceps Nov. 24 and is out for the remainder of the season … Entered the year saying the 2024 campaign was his last … Tallied 20 tackles, 5 stops for loss, 3.5 sacks, 7 quarterback hits and 2 pass breakups in 11 appearances for the 12-2 Eagles.
Jaylen Harrell (2020-23), OLB, Tennessee Titans
Didn’t record any stats in a 37-27 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals … Made 12 tackles in 14 games for the 3-11 Titans.
Hassan Haskins (2018-21), RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Didn’t have any stats in a 40-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers … Notched 14 rushes for 26 yards and 6 first downs as a short-yardage back in 14 games.
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
Out for season after five games, totaling 25 tackles and 2 pass breakups as a starter.
Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Cleveland Browns
The former Michigan standout didn’t have any stats in a 21-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs … Seen action in 13 outings, recording 7 tackles.
James Hudson III (2017-18), OT, Cleveland Browns
Started three of four games but hasn’t played since Sept. 29 as the Browns’ offensive line has gotten more healthy.
Maurice Hurst II (2014-17), DT, Cleveland Browns
Placed on injured reserve Dec. 7 (ankle) … Recorded 16 tackles, including 4 for loss, a half-sack and a quarterback hit in eight outings with two starts.
Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DE, Detroit Lions
Broke his fibula and tibia Oct. 13 and listed as out indefinitely, but Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported Dec. 8 that the Lions are holding out hope he could return for the NFC championship game … Made 19 tackles, 7 stops for loss, 7.5 sacks, 17 quarterback hits and a forced fumble while opening five games.
Kris Jenkins (2020-23), DT, Cincinnati Bengals
The former Michigan defensive tackle posted 1 tackle in a 37-27 win over the Tennessee Titans … Generated 26 tackles, including 1 for loss, 1 sack and 3 quarterback hits in 12 appearances with six starts for the 6-8 Bengals.
Trevor Keegan (2019-23), OG, Philadelphia Eagles
Hasn’t made his NFL debut.
Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys
Registered 3 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack and a pass breakup in a 30-14 win over the Carolina Panthers … Notched 55 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 5 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery in 13 games with 10 starts for the 6-8 Cowboys.
J.J. McCarthy (2021-23), QB, Minnesota Vikings
Out for the season with a knee injury suffered during training camp.
Braiden McGregor (2020-23), EDGE, New York Jets
Inactive the last four games, but has appeared in six and made 6 tackles.
Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, Indianapolis Colts
Made a pair of tackles in a 31-13 loss to the Denver Broncos … Racked up 4 tackles in seven outings for the 6-8 Colts.
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Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings
Tallied 10 tackles in a 30-12 win over the Chicago Bears Monday night … Recorded 88 tackles, 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups and 2 tackles for loss in 14 games for the 12-2 Vikings.
Joe Milton (2018-20), QB, New England Patriots
Yet to make his NFL debut.
Jake Moody (2018-22), K, San Francisco 49ers
Scored all six of the 49ers’ points in a 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams … Gone 9-of-14 on field goals in the last six games, since returning from injury … He’s 22-of-28 on the year and has made 23 of his extra point attempts for the 6-8 49ers.
Mike Morris (2019-22), DE, Seattle Seahawks
Saw time on special teams in a 30-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers … Playing mostly on special teams, he’s appeared in 12 clashes and made 5 tackles … Hasn’t seen snaps on defense since Oct. 20.
David Ojabo (2019-21), OLB, Baltimore Ravens
Notched his second sack of the season and fourth of his career in a win over the New York Giants … Seen action in 10 games, registering 7 tackles, including 2 for loss, for the 9-5 Ravens.
Olu Oluwatimi (2022), C, Seattle Seahawks
Opened the last five games at center but left a Dec. 16 matchup with the Green Bay Packers with a knee injury … Competed in nine contests.
Mike Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots
Opened a 30-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals … Registered a 64.6 overall PFF rating while starting all 14 games (nine at right guard, five at right tackle) for the 3-11 Patriots.
Kwity Paye (2017-20), DE, Indianapolis Colts
The former Michigan defensive end didn’t record any stats in a 31-13 loss to the Denver Broncos … Started all 12 games in which he’s played, racking up 24 tackles, 6 sacks, 7 tackles for loss and 9 quarterback hits with 1 forced fumble.
Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), S, New England Patriots
Recorded 7 tackles in a 30-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals … Removed from the commissioner exempt list Nov. 25 after pleading not guilty in early October to charges that included strangulation and drug possession … Appeared in six clashes, starting all of them and posting 40 tackles and an interception.
Josh Ross (2017-21), LB, Seattle Seahawks
The former Michigan linebacker made a tackle in a 30-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers, playing on special teams … Competed exclusively on special teams this season, registering 3 tackles in the seven games in which he’s been a member of the Seahawks … Waived by the Baltimore Ravens in late October.
Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), C/G, New Orleans Saints
Started a 20-19 loss to the Washington Commanders … Opened 10 games at right guard for the 5-9 Saints, putting up a 64.9 overall PFF grade.
Jon Runyan (2016-19), OG, New York Giants
Suffered a season-ending ankle injury Dec. 8 … Started 13 games at right guard.
Mike Sainristil (2019-23), CB, Washington Commanders
Hauled in his second interception of the season in a one-point win over the New Orleans Saints Dec. 15, making him one of five rookie cornerbacks with multiple picks this season … Added 73 total tackles and 11 pass breakups in 14 games with 13 starts.
Luke Schoonmaker (2018-22), TE, Dallas Cowboys
The former Michigan tight end didn’t have any catches in a 30-14 win over the Carolina Panthers … Had a four-game stretch from late November to early December with 16 catches for 166 yards and a touchdown, taking advantage of increased opportunity with Jake Ferguson out with injury … Reeled in 24 grabs for 222 yards and a score in 14 games with five starts.
Mazi Smith (2019-22), DT, Dallas Cowboys
Made a tackle in a 30-14 win over the Carolina Panthers … Tallied 33 tackles, including 3 for loss and a half-sack, while starting all 14 tilts.
Benjamin St-Juste (2017-18), CB, Washington Commanders
Didn’t have any stats in a 20-19 win over the New Orleans Saints … Made 62 tackles, 7 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble in 14 games with one start.
Andrew Stueber (2017-21), OT/G, Cincinnati Bengals
Saw time on special teams in a 37-27 win over the Tennessee Titans … Seen action in six games, including one on offense.
Ambry Thomas (2017-19), CB, San Francisco 49ers
Missed the entire season to this point with a forearm injury.
DJ Turner II (2019-12), CB, Cincinnati Bengals
Went down with a clavicle injury and was placed on injured reserve Nov. 19 … 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
Inactive the last two weeks … Registered 2 tackles in five games after being traded to the Kansas City Chiefs … Totaled 15 stops and 2 sacks in 12 overall appearances, including seven with the New England Patriots.
Ben VanSumeren (2018-20), LB/FB, Philadelphia Eagles
Played offense, defense and special teams this season, appearing in 11 outings … Missed the last three games with injury.
Josh Wallace (2023), CB, Los Angeles Rams
Made a tackle while totaling 3 defensive snaps and 17 special teams plays in a 12-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers … Contributed in 14 clashes with two starts, registering 4 tackles and 2 pass breakups.
Roman Wilson (2020-23), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
On injured reserve and has only played in one contest.
Zak Zinter (2020-23), OG, Cleveland Browns
Started three of 14 games but has mostly contributed on special teams.
