Wolverines in the NFL: Zak Zinter rises to the occasion, ready for bigger role
Former Michigan Wolverines football standout right guard Zak Zinter was inserted into the game for the Cleveland Browns against the New York Giants Sunday due to an injury to starter Wyatt Teller (knee), who is now expected to miss multiple weeks. The Browns lost, 21-15.
“We’re always preparing as next man up. You’re only one play away,” Zinter said of his mindset as a backup entering the game. “Praying for the guys that got banged up. They’ll heal up, for sure.”
The Browns were dealing with multiple injuries on the offensive line at the end of the game.
“A lot of us cross-train,” Zinter pointed out. “It’s not ideal. You don’t want guys to get hurt, but we make the best of it. Guys can move around and make do with what we have.”
The former Michigan unanimous All-American allowed 1 pressure on 26 pass-blocking snaps. There were five other Browns linemen, meanwhile, who gave up multiple pressures in the game.
With Teller likely out multiple weeks, Zinter will get his chance to improve upon his performance going forward. He already has one start under his belt, too, beginning the game as an extra offensive lineman in Week 2, and has been in on special teams.
Former Michigan and UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet, meanwhile, has taken advantage of his opportunity with Seattle Seahawks starter Kenneth Walker III currently out. Charbonnet has opened the last two games, scoring 3 touchdowns and racking up a combined 129 rushing yards. He posted a career-best 91 rushing yards in a 24-3 win over the Miami Dolphins over the weekend to improve to 3-0.
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Erick All (played at Michigan from 2019-21), TE, Cincinnati Bengals
Caught 4 passes for a second-straight week, recording 22 yards in a 38-33 loss to the Washington Commanders Monday night … Has 8 grabs for 54 yards in three clashes for the 0-3 Bengals.
AJ Barner (2023), TE, Seattle Seahawks
The former Michigan and Indiana tight end made the first three catches of his career for 13 yards in a 24-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins … He’s appeared in all three outings for the 3-0 Seahawks.
Ronnie Bell (2018-22), WR, San Francisco 49ers
Caught 1 pass for 12 yards in a 27-24 loss to the Los Angeles Rams … Seen time in all three clashes for the 1-2 49ers but didn’t have a reception until this week.
Ben Bredeson (2016-19), OG, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Started at left guard in all three of the 2-1 Buccaneers’ games, including a 26-7 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 3 … Allowed a team-high 3 pressures in the setback.
Devin Bush (2016-18), LB, Cleveland Browns
The former Michigan All-American had a tackle in a 21-15 loss to the New York Giants … Totaled 3 stops in three tilts for the 1-2 Browns.
Zach Charbonnet (2019-20), RB, Seattle Seahawks
With starting running back Kenneth Walker III out with an injury for a second-consecutive week, Charbonnet rushed 18 times for 91 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 24-3 beatdown of the Miami Dolphins … He has 141 yards and 3 scores on 40 rush attempts with 10 receptions for 76 yards and a score this season.
Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans
The former Michigan wideout reeled in a season-low 4 receptions for 86 yards in a 34-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings … Leads the NFL with 338 receiving yards on 18 catches, and has scored 1 touchdown.
Junior Colson (2021-23), LB, Los Angeles Chargers
Missed his team’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers with a hamstring injury … Played off the bench in the first two weeks, accumulating 5 tackles and a pass breakup.
Blake Corum (2020-23), RB, Los Angeles Rams
Played seven snaps on special teams in a 27-24 victory over the San Francisco 49ers … Seen time on special teams in all three and offense in one game this year, registering 8 rushes for 28 yards, 1 kick return for 41 yards and 1 tackle.
Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Started in all three contests for the 3-0 Chiefs, registering 12 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, a half-sack and 2 quarterback hits … Posted 4 stops and a quarterback hit in a 22-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons Sunday night.
Chris Evans (2016-18, ’20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Suffered a knee injury during training camp and is on the injured reserve list.
Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers
Compiled 2 tackles in a 30-14 win over the Tennessee Titans … Had 5 tackles, 1 sack and 2 quarterback hits in three clashes for the 2-1 Packers.
Graham Glasgow (2012-15), OL, Detroit Lions
The former Michigan offensive lineman started at left guard in a 20-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals and has opened all three games … Led the team with an 86.8 PFF pass-blocking rating, giving up no pressure on 26 passing plays … Helped pave the way for 187 rushing yards and a touchdown and part of an offensive line performance that saw quarterback Jared Goff get sacked twice … His 86.8 pass-blocking grade ranked fourth among NFL guards in Week 3.
Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles
Totaled 2 tackles and 1 quarterback hit in a 15-12 win over the New Orleans Saints … Played in all three games, compiling 3 tackles and 1 quarterback hit for the 2-1 Eagles.
Jaylen Harrell (2020-23), OLB, Tennessee Titans
The former Michigan EDGE had a career-high 2 tackles in a 30-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers … The rookie has 4 tackles in three games for the 0-3 Titans.
LaDarius Henderson (2023), OG, Houston Texans
On the “reserve/non-football injury” list, having undergone foot surgery in July.
Dax Hill (2019-21), CB, Cincinatti Bengals
The former Michigan defensive back scored 6 tackles in a 38-33 loss to the Washington Commanders Monday night … Has 18 stops, a pass breakup and 1 quarterback hit on the campaign … Was one-on-one with Commanders wideout Terry McLaurin on a deep pass late in the game, allowing the touchdown with his team in zero coverage.
Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Cleveland Browns
Saw time on special teams in a 21-15 setback to the New York Giants … Played in three contests, mostly on special teams (only 5 defensive snaps in one clash) for the 2-1 Browns, registering 1 tackle.
James Hudson III (2017-18), OT, Cleveland Browns
Saw 15 snaps off the bench at right tackle in a 21-15 loss to the New York Giants … Started the first two games of the year at left tackle for the 1-2 Browns.
Maurice Hurst II (2014-17), DT, Cleveland Browns
Placed on injured reserve (ankle) following a 3-tackle Week 1 performance.
Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DE, Detroit Lions
Extended his sack streak to three games, notching 1 to go along with 6 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 2 quarterback hits in a 20-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals … Leads the NFL with 6.5 sacks (the next most by a player is 5 by the New York Jets’ Will McDonald IV) and paces the league with 25 pressures (next highest is two players tied with 18).
Kris Jenkins (2020-23), DT, Cincinnati Bengals
Made his NFL debut in a 38-33 loss to the Washington Commanders Monday night, making his first career tackle.
Trevor Keegan (2019-23), OG, Philadelphia Eagles
Has yet to make his NFL debut.
Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys
The former Michigan cornerback recorded 2 tackles in a 28-25 loss to the Baltimore Ravens … Has 9 tackles and a pass breakup in three contests this season for the 1-2 Cowboys.
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J.J. McCarthy (2021-23), QB, Minnesota Vikings
Out for the season with a knee injury suffered in the preseason.
Braiden McGregor (2020-23), EDGE, New York Jets
The former Michigan EDGE notched his second career tackle in a 24-3 win over the New England Patriots Thursday evening … Has 2 tackles in three games for the 2-1 Jets.
Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, Indianapolis Colts
On the injured reserve list but has been labeled as “designated for return.”
Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings
The former Michigan safety posted 5 tackles in a 34-7 triumph over the Houston Texans … Registered 16 tackles, a pass breakup, an interception and 1 quarterback hit in three games for the 3-0 Vikings.
Has not played in a game and is listed as the third-string quarterback on the depth chart for the 1-2 Patriots.
Jake Moody (2018-22), K, San Francisco 49ers
Made a 26-yard field goal but missed a 55-yarder (his first miss of the season) in a 27-24 setback to the Los Angeles Rams … He’s now 8-of-9 with a 53-yard long on field goals and a perfect 7-of-7 on extra points this season for the 1-2 49ers.
Mike Morris (2019-22), DE, Seattle Seahawks
The former Michigan EDGE had 2 tackles in a 24-3 win over the Miami Dolphins … Posted 4 tackles in three games for the 3-0 Seahawks.
David Ojabo (2019-21), OLB, Baltimore Ravens
Made a tackle in a 28-25 win over the Dallas Cowboys … Tallied 2 sack, 2 tackles and a quarterback hit in three games for the 1-2 Ravens.
Olu Oluwatimi (2022), C, Seattle Seahawks
Played in just one game for the 3-0 Seahawks.
Kwity Paye (2017-20), DE, Indianapolis Colts
Tied his season high with 5 sacks (notching that number for the second straight week), adding 1 tackle for loss and 2 quarterback hits along with a half-sack in a 21-16 win over the Chicago Bears … Went down with a quad injury in the game and is slated to get an MRI … Has been no update on his status yet this week … He has 12 tackles, 3 stops for loss, 4 quarterback hits and 1.5 sacks in three outings for the 1-2 Colts.
Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), S, New England Patriots
Tallied 4 tackles in a 24-3 loss to the New York Jets Thursday night … Has 16 tackles in three games on the season for the 1-2 Patriots … Spent his weekend attending Michigan’s game against USC.
Brad Robbins (2017-22), P, Cincinnati Bengals
On injured reserve with a leg injury he suffered in mid-August.
Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), C/G, New Orleans Saints
Started at right guard in a 15-12 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles … Opened all three tilts for the 2-1 Saints.
Jon Runyan (2016-19), OG, New York Giants
The former Michigan All-Big Ten standout has started at right guard in a 21-15 triumph over the Cleveland Browns … Opened all three games for the 1-2 Giants.
Mike Sainristil (2019-23), CB, Washington Commanders
Tallied 6 tackles and a pass breakup in a 38-33 win over the Cincinnati Bengals … Has 16 tackles on the season for the 2-1 Commanders.
Luke Schoonmaker (2018-22), TE, Dallas Cowboys
Caught 1 pass for 5 yards in a 28-25 loss to the Baltimore Ravens … Has 7 grabs for 48 yards in three games this season.
Mazi Smith (2019-22), DT, Dallas Cowboys
Started for the third consecutive game this season in a 28-25 loss to the Baltimore Ravens but did not have any statistics … Has 3 tackles in three games for the 1-2 Cowboys.
Benjamin St-Juste (2017-18), CB, Washington Commanders
The former Michigan and Minnesota cornerback tallied 6 tackles in a 38-33 win over the Cincinnati Bengals Monday night … Totaled 17 tackles, 4 pass breakups and a forced fumble in three tilts for the 2-1 Commanders.
Ambry Thomas (2017-19), CB, San Francisco 49ers
On the injured reserve with a forearm injury.
DJ Turner II (2019-12), CB, Cincinnati Bengals
Posted 1 tackle in a 38-33 loss to the Washington Commanders … Recorded 2 tackles in three games on the year.
Joshua Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots
The former Michigan linebacker recorded a season-high 5 tackles, with his first sack and tackle for loss of the season to go along with a quarterback hit in a 24-3 setback to the New York Jets … Played in three games with 6 tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss.
Ben VanSumeren (2018-20), LB, Philadelphia Eagles
Hasn’t recorded any statistics in three appearances.
Josh Wallace (2023), CB, Los Angeles Rams
Played in all three games for the 1-2 Rams, registering no stats.
Julius Welschof (2018-22), LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
On the injured reserve with a knee injury.
Roman Wilson (2020-23), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Has yet to make his NFL debut due to an ankle injury … He was a full participant in a practice last week and appears to be trending in the right direction.
Zak Zinter (2020-23), OG, Cleveland Browns
Saw a career-high 34 snaps in a 21-15 loss to the New York Giants, playing right guard in replacement of the injured Wyatt Teller, who will miss “multiple weeks” with a knee injury.
