Wolverines in the NFL: Brandon Graham matches best start to a season in his career
Former Michigan Wolverines football defensive end Brandon Graham played in the first two games for the Philadelphia Eagles after missing most of last season with an Achilles injury, but it wasn’t until Sunday afternoon that he exploded for a huge game. In the Eagles’ 24-8 win over the Washington Commanders, Graham notched a strip-sack on his former quarterback, Carson Wentz, with his team leading 3-0. He recovered the fumble at the Washington 24-yard line. Two plays later, the Eagles scored a touchdown, and the Commanders never recovered or cut the lead.
Graham finished with 6 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 2 stops for loss. The 34-year-old has 3 sacks through three games, matching the best start to a season in his career.
After the win over the division rival, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni raved about the former Michigan defensive end and another veteran on the defensive line, Fletcher Cox, who recorded 1.5 sacks.
“These guys, they know what it takes to get to the top of the mountain,” Sirianni said. “They’ve done it. They’ve walked to the top of the mountain. They’ve had the long journey to the top of the mountain, planted that Eagles flag on top of the mountain and won a world championship. They know what it takes to do that.
“You can see how much it means to them that they have that ‘C’ on their chest, that they have that captain on their chest. “B.G.’s constant energy of how happy he is to be there every day, and he doesn’t take a day for granted, he works like crazy every single day, worked like crazy to get back from his injury.”
The former Michigan standout and his Eagles are off to a 3-0 start, the only remaining undefeated team in the NFC. Philadelphia was considered a dark-horse Super Bowl contender heading into the season, but now they’re the favorite in their conference at +350 per the DraftKings Sportsbook. The Packers (+400) and Buccaneers (+450) are close behind.
Here’s a look at how every former Michigan player in the NFL performed in Week 3:
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Tom Brady (Played at Michigan from 1995-99), QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Connected on 31 of his 42 pass attempts for 271 yards and 1 touchdown in a 14-12 loss to the Green Bay Packers … Three of Tampa Bay’s three top receivers — Chris Godwin (hamstring), Mike Evans (one-game suspension) and Julio Jones (knee) did not play … The Bucs failed on a two-point conversion to tie it up at the end of the game … For the season, Brady has completed 67 of his 103 passes for 673 yards and 3 touchdowns with 1 interception for the 2-1 Buccaneers.
Ben Bredeson (2016-19), OL, New York Giants
Started and played every offensive snap in the 2-1 Giants’ 23-16 loss to the Dallas Cowboys Monday night … Allowed 1 pressure, per Pro Football Focus (PFF) … Started all three games so far this season.
Devin Bush Jr. (2016-18), LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
The former Michigan linebacker opened in the 1-2 Steelers’ 29-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns Thursday evening, registering 11 tackles (second on the team) … Posted 20 stops on the year.
Camaron Cheeseman (2016-19), LS, Washington Commanders
Snapped nine times in the 1-2 Commanders’ 24-8 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles … Played in all three games.
Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Started and made his first sack of the season in the 2-1 Chiefs’ 20-17 setback to the Indianapolis Colts … Added 3 total tackles and 1 quarterback hit … Opened all three games, totaling 6 tackles and 1 sack.
Mason Cole (2014-17), OL, Pittsburgh Steelers
The former Michigan offensive lineman started at center in the 1-2 Steelers’ 29-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns … His 79.3 overall PFF grade ranked second on the Pittsburgh offense, and his 83.8 pass-blocking rating and 76.8 run-blocking mark both topped the team … Started all three games to this point.
Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans
Came off the bench and notched 2 receptions for 41 yards in the 0-2-1 Texans’ 23-20 loss to the Chicago Bears … Started one of three games, totaling 8 catches for 125 yards.
Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Left last week’s game with a calf injury and did not play in the 2-1 Chiefs’ 20-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts this past weekend … Registered 2 tackles and 1 quarterback hit this season.
Chris Evans (2016-20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
The former Michigan running back saw 2 offensive snaps in the 1-2 Bengals’ 27-12 win over the New York Jets, hauling in 1 catch for 4 yards … Also contributed on special teams … Seen time in all three games as a reserve and special teamer.
Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers
Opened the game and notched a sack for the third consecutive week, adding 3 tackles in the 2-1 Packers’ 14-12 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers … Tied for a team-high 3 pressures in the win, per PFF … Second on the squad with 11 pressures for the season, while totaling 12 tackles, 4 stops for loss, 3 sacks and 4 quarterback hits in three starts.
Zach Gentry (2015-18), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
The former Michigan tight end started his second consecutive contest in the 1-2 Steelers’ 29-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns Thursday night, but did not record any statistics … For the year, hauled in 2 receptions for 40 yards.
Graham Glasgow (2011-15), OL, Denver Broncos
Started and played every offensive snap in the 2-1 Broncos’ 11-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers Sunday night … Allowed 2 pressures, per PFF … Opened the last two games and played in all three.
Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles
Broke out with 6 tackles, 2.5 sacks (one of which was a strip sack), 2 stops for loss, 5 quarterback hits and 1 pass breakup in the 3-0 Eagles’ 24-8 win over the Washington Commanders … His 3 sacks through three games matches his career high … Totaled 9 tackles, including 2 stops for loss, and 6 quarterback hits this season.
Hassan Haskins (2018-21), RB, Tennessee Titans
Returned 1 kick for 29 yards and played 4 offensive snaps in the 1-2 Titans’ 24-22 win over the Las Vegas Raiders … Rushed 9 times for 37 yards and added 1 reception for no yards this season.
Chad Henne (2004-07), QB, Kansas City Chiefs
Did not play in the 2-1 Chiefs’ 20-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Dax Hill (2019-21), S, Cincinnati Bengals
The former Michigan defensive back made his first career start in the 1-2 Bengals’ 27-12 win over the New York Jets, but played just 5 defensive snaps … Seen time as a reserve and special teamer in all 3 games this season.
Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DL, Detroit Lions
Started and made 1 quarterback hit and 2 pressures in the 1-2 Lions’ 28-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings … Totaled 7 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 stops for loss and 4 quarterback hits this season … Leads the Lions with 11 pressures.
Taylor Lewan (2009-13), OL, Tennessee Titans
Started the first two games but left the second contest with a knee injury, and he’ll miss the remainder of the season.
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Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys
The former Michigan cornerback started and notched 7 tackles in the 2-1 Cowboys’ 23-16 win over the New York Giants Monday night … Opened two of three games this season, totaling 16 tackles.
David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Los Angeles Rams
Did not play in the 2-1 Rams’ 20-12 win over the Arizona Cardinals due to a groin injury he suffered in practice … Appeared in the first two contests, notching 7 tackles.
Sean McKeon (2016-19), TE, Dallas Cowboys
Brought up from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of Monday night’s Week 3 game against the New York Giants, a 23-16 win for the 2-1 Cowboys … McKeon played 11 snaps on offense and 9 on special teams.
Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings
Made his first career start in the 2-1 Vikings’ 28-24 victory over the Detroit Lions, and tied for second on his team with 11 tackles … Made the game-sealing interception, the first of his professional career … Played in all three outings to this point, registering 15 tackles, 2 pass breakups and 1 interception.
Bryan Mone (2014-18), DT, Seattle Seahawks
Came off the bench and made 1 tackle in the 1-2 Seahawks’ 27-23 loss to the Atlanta Falcons … Tallied 6 tackles for the season, starting one of three games.
Michael Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots
The former Michigan offensive lineman started at right guard in the 1-2 Patriots’ 37-26 loss to the Baltimore Ravens … His 85.1 PFF pass-protection rating led the team … His 83.4 grade in that category for the season also tops the squad … Opened all three games so far.
Kwity Paye (2017-19), DE, Indianapolis Colts
Started and made 3 tackles, including 1 stop behind the line of scrimmage, and generated a team-high 5 pressures in the 1-1-1 Colts’ 20-17 triumph over the Kansas City Chiefs … Totaled 14 tackles, 4 stops for loss and 2 sacks for the season.
Donovan Peoples-Jones (2017-19), WR, Cleveland Browns
Started for the third consecutive week and hauled in 1 catch for 10 yards on 3 targets in the 2-1 Browns’ 29-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers … Tallied 70 receiving yards on 7 receptions for the season.
Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), S, New England Patriots
Notched a season-best 7 tackles and recovered a fumble, returning it 12 yards, during his first start of the campaign in the 1-2 Patriots’ 37-26 setback to the Baltimore Ravens … Played in all three games, totaling 10 tackles.
Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), OL, New Orleans Saints
Started his third consecutive outing in a 22-14 loss to the Carolina Panthers and has played every offensive snap this season for the 1-2 Saints.
Jon Runyan (2015-19), OL, Green Bay Packers
The former Michigan offensive lineman has started at left guard in all three of the 2-1 Packers’ games, including a 14-12 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday afternoon … Only NFL guard to have played over 118 snaps and not allowed a pressure this season, per PFF.
Ambry Thomas (2017-19), CB, San Francisco 49ers
Saw time on special teams in the 1-2 49ers’ 11-10 loss to the Denver Broncos Sunday night … Played a special teams role in all three games so far, totaling 2 tackles.
Josh Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots
Came off the bench and played on special teams but did not register any statistics in the 1-2 Patriots’ 37-26 loss to the Baltimore Ravens … Played a backup role in all three games, totaling 1 stop.
Chris Wormley (2012-16), DE, Pittsburgh Steelers
The former Michigan defensive lineman played as a backup and racked up 5 tackles in the 1-2 Steelers’ 29-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns Thursday night … Played in all three games and registered 10 stops, including 1 behind the line of scrimmage.
Injured reserve
The following are Michigan football players who are currently on teams but listed as on the injured reserve:
• Patriots K Quinn Nordin
• Patriots OL Andrew Stueber
• Cowboys TE Ian Bunting
• Ravens OLB David Ojabo
• Ravens LB Josh Ross
• Falcons OL Jalen Mayfield
• Browns DE Chase Winovich
Practice squad
The following are former Michigan players on NFL practice squads:
• WR Daylen Baldwin — Browns
• DE Taco Charlton — Saints
• CB Vincent Gray — Sainrts
• DB Brad Hawkins — Patriots
• LB Khaleke Hudson — Commanders
• LB Carlo Kemp — Chargers
• LB Cameron McGrone — Patriots
