Irish in the NFL, Week 10: Julian Okwara sack clinches Lions win
Rarely does a pass rusher get two chances at a sack on one play — especially when missing on the first one puts him on the ground. Former Notre Dame and current Detroit Lions defensive end Julian Okwara, though, had that second shot Sunday. He not only wrapped up Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields on the play, he iced a win in doing so.
Okwara’s fourth-down sack with 59 seconds left in the game gave the Lions their second straight win, a 31-30 victory over the Bears. Their maligned defense generated a stop to clinch the win each time.
Fields made them work for it on the last play. On fourth-and-8, he dodged one tackler by jumping out of the way, ran free of Okwara’s grasp by reversing course and bounced off another hit. The play lived on after three chances to end it. Okwara, though, had a fourth as Fields fled the pocket. This time, he didn’t let him loose.
“I tried not to throw him to the ground because he’s very elusive and he’ll get out of those tackles easily,” Okwara told reporters afterward. “The whole game he’s very hard to tackle. We just had to bring him down and stay on him really, just bottle him up.”
The sack was his second of the game and just his second of the year.
Okwara is one of more than 40 former Notre Dame players who are on an NFL roster or practice squad. Here’s a look at how each fared in Week 10.
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Kevin Austin Jr. (Played at Notre Dame from 2018-21), WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Signed to the Jaguars’ practice squad after being released during final preseason roster cuts and has not appeared in a game.
Aaron Banks (2017-20), OG, San Francisco 49ers
Started at left guard and allowed 1 pressure in the 49ers’ 22-16 win over the Chargers … Has started nine games for 5-4 San Francisco, allowing 12 pressures with 0 sacks and posting a 66.1 Pro Football Focus overall grade.
Alex Bars (2014-18), OL, Las Vegas Raiders
Started at right guard and allowed 2 pressures in the Raiders’ 25-20 loss to the Colts … Has appeared in eight games with seven starts for the 2-7 Raiders, allowing 2 sacks and 19 pressures while posting a PFF grade of 45.3 … Signed to the active roster from the practice squad Oct. 1.
Ian Book (2016-20), QB, Philadelphia Eagles
Inactive for the Eagles’ 32-21 loss to the Commanders … Has not appeared in a game this season for 8-1 Philadelphia.
Miles Boykin (2015-18), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Played 14 snaps on offense and 10 on special teams, with 0 catches, in the Steelers’ 20-10 win over the Saints … Has 6 tackles on special teams (130 special teams snaps) and 1 catch for 11 yards in nine games for 3-6 Pittsburgh.
Chase Claypool (2016-19), WR, Chicago Bears
Caught 1 pass for 8 yards in Chicago’s 31-30 loss to the Lions … Has 35 catches for 332 yards and 1 touchdown, plus 9 carries for 59 yards, in 10 games between the Bears and Steelers … Traded to the Bears Nov. 1.
Scott Daly (2012-15), LS, Detroit Lions
Was the long snapper in the Lions’ 31-30 win over the Bears … Has played in all nine games for 3-6 Detroit.
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Liam Eichenberg (2016-20), OL, Miami Dolphins
Placed on injured reserve Nov. 1 with an MCL sprain … Has started eight games for 7-3 Miami, allowing 2 sacks and 19 pressures with a PFF grade of 44.9.
Matthias Farley (2011-15), S, Las Vegas Raiders
Played 21 special teams snaps and made 2 tackles in the Raiders’ 25-20 loss to the Colts … Has 7 tackles in nine games for 2-7 Las Vegas and has played 181 special teams snaps.
Alohi Gilman (2017-19), S, Los Angeles Chargers
Made 6 tackles in the Chargers’ 22-16 loss to 49ers … Has 21 tackles and 1 interception in nine games (one start) for 5-4 Chargers.
Robert Hainsey (2017-20), OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Started at center and allowed 1 pressure in the Bucs’ 21-16 win over the Seahawks … Has started 10 games for 5-5 Tampa Bay, allowing 0 sacks and 15 pressures with a PFF grade of 64.4.
Kyle Hamilton (2019-21), S, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens were off in Week 10 … Has 25 tackles, 1 sack, 2 passes broken up and 1 forced fumble in nine games for 6-3 Baltimore.
Daelin Hayes (2016-20), DE, Baltimore Ravens
Waived/injured by the Ravens at final cuts and placed on injured reserve.
Kurt Hinish (2017-21), DT, Houston Texans
Started and made 3 tackles in the Texans’ 24-16 loss to the Giants … Has appeared in eight games (three starts) with 13 tackles and 7 pressures for 1-7-1 Houston.
J.J. Jansen (2004-07), LS, Carolina Panthers
Was the long snapper in the Panthers’ 25-15 win over the Falcons … Has played in 10 games for 3-7 Carolina.
Jamir Jones (2016-19), DL, Pittsburgh Steelers
Played 11 snaps on special teams in the Steelers 20-10 win over the Saints … Has appeared in nine games for 3-6 Pittsburgh, with 6 tackles and 1 pass broken up.
Tony Jones Jr. (2016-19), RB, Seattle Seahawks
Inactive for the Seahawks’ 21-16 loss to the Bucs … Waived by the Saints Oct. 8 and claimed by the Seahawks Oct. 10 … Has played two games this season, both for New Orleans, with 2 carries for 8 yards and 2 catches for 12 yards.
Khalid Kareem (2016-19), DL, Cincinnati Bengals
Signed to the Bengals’ practice squad Oct. 13 two days after the team placed him on waivers … Activated from injured reserve Oct. 10 after missing the 5-4 Bengals’ first five games due to a hamstring injury.
Cole Kmet (2017-19), TE, Chicago Bears
Caught 4 passes for 74 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Bears’ 31-30 loss to the Lions … Has started 10 games for 3-7 Chicago and compiled 23 catches for 274 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Tommy Kraemer (2016-20), OL, Detroit Lions
Placed on injured reserve with a back injury Sept. 15 … Has not appeared in a game for 3-6 Detroit this season.
Julian Love (2016-18), S, New York Giants
Made 7 tackles in the Giants’ 24-16 win over the Texans … Has recorded 65 tackles with 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 pass broken up and 1 interception in nine game (all starts) for 7-2 New York.
Nick Martin (2011-15), C, Washington Commanders
Active but did not play in the Commanders’ 32-21 win over the Eagles … Has played two games (two starts) for 5-5 Washington, allowing 4 pressures with a PFF grade of 44.3 … Signed with the Commanders Sept. 20 … Released from New Orleans Saints practice squad Sept. 10.
Zack Martin (2009-13), OG, Dallas Cowboys
Started at right guard and allowed 0 pressures in the Cowboys’ 31-28 overtime loss to the Packers … Has started nine games for 6-3 Dallas, allowing 0 sacks, 10 pressures and earning a PFF grade of 70.7.
Nick McCloud (2020), CB/S, New York Giants
Made 1 tackle in the Giants’ 24-16 win over the Texans … Has played in six games with 8 tackles and 1 pass broken up for 7-2 New York.
Mike McGlinchey (2013-17), OT, San Francisco 49ers
Started at right tackle and allowed 1 pressure in the 49ers’ 22-16 win over the Chargers … Has started nine games for 5-4 San Francisco, with 5 sacks and 11 pressures allowed and a PFF grade of 72.5.
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Sam Mustipher (2014-18), C, Chicago Bears
Started at center and allowed 0 pressures in the Bears’ 31-30 loss to the Lions … Has played in 10 games (nine starts) for 3-7 Chicago, with 13 pressures allowed and a PFF grade of 65.5.
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Quenton Nelson (2014-17), OG, Indianapolis Colts
Started at left guard and allowed 0 pressures in the Colts’ 25-20 win over the Raiders … Has started 10 games for 4-5-1 Indianapolis, allowing 2 sacks and 13 pressures with a PFF grade of 70.1.
Adetokunbo Ogundeji (2016-20), DE, Atlanta Falcons
Started and made 4 tackles in the Falcons’ 25-15 loss to the Panthers … Has started nine games for 4-6 Atlanta and made 21 tackles with 1 sack.
Julian Okwara (2016-19), LB, Detroit Lions
Started and made 3 tackles with 2 sacks in the Lions’ 31-30 win over the Bears … Has played eight games (two starts) with 16 tackles and 2 sacks for 3-6 Detroit.
Romeo Okwara (2012-15), DE, Detroit Lions
Placed on reserve/physically unable to perform list Aug. 23 and has not played this season … Still rehabbing from torn Achilles suffered in Week 4 of the 2021 season.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (2017-20), LB, Cleveland Browns
Missed the Browns’ 39-17 loss to the Dolphins due to a knee injury … Has totaled 39 tackles, 3 passes broken up and 2 forced fumbles in seven games (six starts) for 3-6 Cleveland.
Isaac Rochell (2013-16), DL, Free Agent
Released by the Browns Nov. 12 … Played in six games (one start) for 3-6 Cleveland, with 12 tackles … Began the season on the practice squad and was signed to the 53-man roster Sept. 21.
Kyle Rudolph (2008-10), TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Inactive for the Bucs’ 21-16 win over the Seahawks … Has played five games for 5-5 Tampa Bay, making 2 catches for 20 yards.
Ben Skowronek (2020), WR, Los Angeles Rams
Had 2 catches for 14 yards in the Rams’ 27-17 loss to the Cardinals … Has 26 catches for 245 yards and 1 carry for 17 yards in nine games (six starts) for 3-6 Los Angeles.
Harrison Smith (2007-11), S, Minnesota Vikings
Made 6 tackles and broke up 1 pass in the Vikings’ 33-30 win over the Bills … Has made 50 tackles with 4 interceptions and 3 passes broken up in eight starts for 8-1 Minnesota.
Jaylon Smith (2013-15), LB, New York Giants
Started and made 5 tackles with a fumble recovery in the Giants’ 24-16 win over the Texans … Has appeared in six games (4 starts) and made 31 tackles for 7-2 New York … Signed to the Giants’ practice squad Sept. 19 and was elevated to the active roster Oct. 1.
Durham Smythe (2013-17), TE, Miami Dolphins
Had 1 carry for 0 yards in the Dolphins’ 39-17 win over the Browns … Has started nine games for 7-3 Miami and made 6 catches for 50 yards, to go with a 1-yard rushing touchdown.
Equanimeous St. Brown (2015-17), WR, Chicago Bears
Had 2 rush attempts for 9 yards in the Bears’ 31-30 loss to the Lions … Has 11 catches for 164 yards and a touchdown in 10 starts for 3-7 Chicago.
Ronnie Stanley (2012-15), OT, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens were off in Week 10 … Has started five games for 6-3 Baltimore, allowing 2 pressures and earning a PFF grade of 75.6.
Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (2017-21), DL, Las Vegas Raiders
Placed on the Raiders’ practice squad reserve/injured list Nov. 3 … Signed to the Raiders’ practice squad Aug. 31 after team waived him during final cuts.
Jerry Tillery (2015-18), DT, Las Vegas Raiders
Waived by the Chargers Nov. 10 and claimed by the Raiders Monday … Had 8 tackles, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble in seven games for Los Angeles.
Drue Tranquill (2014-18), LB, Los Angeles Chargers
Started and made 15 tackles in the Chargers’ 22-16 loss to the 49ers … Has 82 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 pass broken up and 1 interception in nine games (eight starts) for 5-4 Los Angeles.
Tommy Tremble (2018-20), TE, Carolina Panthers
Active but did not catch a pass in the Panthers’ 25-15 win over the Falcons … Has 10 catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games (three starts) for 3-7 Carolina.
Kyren Williams (2019-21), RB, Los Angeles Rams
Had 1 carry for 9 yards and 3 catches for 30 yards in the Rams’ 27-17 loss to the Cardinals … Has played in two games for 3-6 Los Angeles and was activated from injured reserve Nov. 12 after missing seven games with a high ankle sprain.
Brock Wright (2017-20), TE, Detroit Lions
Started and caught a 2-yard touchdown pass in the Lions’ 31-30 win over the Bears … Has played in nine games (four starts) for 3-6 Detroit, making 7 catches for 90 yards and a touchdown.
