Penn State NFL Roundup: Big showing for young DE, injury news and more
A multi-sack showing for Yetur Gross-Matos, a big performance from Penn State’s Lions contingent and some unfortunate injury news defined the week that was in the NFL for former Nittany Lions.
Let’s dive into our recap, starting by ranking the five best performances of the week.
1.) Yetur Gross-Matos (Played at Penn State 2017-19), DE, Carolina Panthers
Former Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos turned in his best game at the pro level in a loss to the Bills on Sunday.
Playing in an expanded role with starter Derrick Brown on the COVID list, Gross-Matos came away from the game with 2.5 sacks, nearly doubling his career total in one game.
He also added a tackle for loss and five total tackles, playing 41 percent of Carolina’s snaps.
Head coach Matt Rhule offered him some praise after the game.
“I think he’s really ascending right now and will be a big part of what we’re trying to do,” Rhule told the media.
2.) Amani Oruwariye (2014-18), CB, Detroit Lions
The big plays keep on coming for Amani Oruwariye.
He came away with his sixth interception of the season — which ranks him third in the NFL — in a monumental Lions upset win over the NFC West-leading Arizona Cardinals.
Oruwariye returned this one 50 yards, setting up a Jason Cabinda touchdown as the former college teammates combined at the pro level.
He also made five tackles and broke up two passes, playing every snap on the defensive side of the ball for Detroit.
3.) Miles Sanders (2016-18), RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Sanders turned in his most productive week of the season in a win on Tuesday over Washington.
The former Penn State back rushed for a career-high 131 yards on the ground on only 18 carries — for an average of 7.28 yards per carry.
Since returning from injury in Week 11, Sanders is averaging 102 rushing yards per game, and the Eagles are 3-1.
4.) Jason Cabinda (2014-17), FB, Detroit Lions
Former Penn State linebacker Jason Cabinda found the end zone for the first time in his career on Sunday.
Cabinda, now a fullback with the Lions, caught a six-yard pass from Lions QB Jared Goff that he brought into the end zone in a win over Arizona.
5.) Adrian Amos (2011-14), S, Green Bay Packers
Amos turned in another stellar performance for the Packers in their win over the Ravens.
Playing every snap on defense, Amos made eight tackles — seven of them solo — and broke up a pass.
Micah Parsons (2018-19), LB, Dallas Cowboys
It was a rare down week for Parsons, who did not register a sack for the first time in six weeks. He made one tackle and broke up a pass in an easy Cowboys win over the Giants.
Chris Godwin (2014-16), WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Unfortunately, an excellent season has come to an abrupt end for former Penn State wideout Chris Godwin.
Godwin took a hit to the knee in Tampa Bay’s loss to New Orleans on Sunday night, and was placed on the IR with a torn ACL and MCL.
He finishes the year with 98 receptions for 1,103 yards and six total touchdowns.
Saquon Barkley (2015-17), RB, New York Giants
Barkley carried the ball 15 times for 50 yards and caught four passes for 24 yards in New York’s loss to Dallas.
He also made one of the best two-yard receptions you will ever see.
Austin Johnson (2012-15), DT, New York Giants
Johnson played 39 snaps and made two tackles in New York’s loss to Dallas.
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Shaka Toney (2016-20), DE, Washington Football Team
Toney played six snaps on defense for the Football Team in its loss to the Eagles on Tuesday.
Will Fries (2016-20), OL, Indianapolis Colts
Fries did not see the field in Indy’s big win over New England.
Odafe Oweh (2018-20), DE, Baltimore Ravens
The former Penn State defensive end finished with one tackle, playing 36 snaps in a Baltimore loss to Green Bay.
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Pat Freiermuth (2018-20), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Freiermuth caught four passes for 37 yards against Tennesse but was forced to leave the game early due to a concussion.
Trace McSorley (2014-18), QB, Arizona Cardinals
McSorley did not play in Arizona’s loss to Detroit.
Mike Gesicki (2014-17), TE, Miami Dolphins
Gesicki reeled in five of his eight targets for 43 yards in a win over the Jets.
Blake Gillikin (2016-19), P, New Orleans Saints
The former Penn State punter had a busy night in a punt-fest between the Bucs and Saints on Sunday Night Football.
He punted nine times for 412 yards in the win.
Jesse James (2012-14), TE, Chicago Bears
James started and played 14 snaps on offense for the Bears in their loss to the Vikings.
Nick Scott (2014-18), S, Los Angeles Rams
Scott got the start at safety for the Rams and played every snap on defense as LA defeated Seattle.
Scott finished the game with four tackles.
Carl Nassib (2011-15), DE, Las Vegas Raiders
Nassib returned to the field after a two-week hiatus and played 13 snaps on defense, registering a QB hit.
Juwan Johnson (2015-18), TE, New Orleans Saints
Johnson started for the Saints and played 22 snaps in their win over Tampa but did not see a target.
Robbie Gould (2001-04), K, San Francisco 49ers
Former Penn State kicker Robbie Gould connected on his only field goal attempt and booted through four PATs in a win over Atlanta.
Allen Robinson II (2011-13), WR, Chicago Bears
Robinson did not play against the Vikings and was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Connor McGovern (2016-18), OL, Dallas Cowboys
McGovern did not start for the first time in five weeks, playing 10 snaps for Dallas in its win over the Giants.
DaQuan Jones (2010-13), DT, Carolina Panthers
Jones made five tackles — including four solo tackles — in Carolina’s loss to Buffalo on the road.
Cam Brown (2016-19), LB, New York Giants
Brown did not play in New York’s loss this week as he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Ryan Bates (2015-18),OL, Buffalo Bills
Bates played six snaps on offense and five snaps on special teams in Buffalo’s blowout win over Carolina.
Marcus Allen (2014-17), LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Allen saw action on defense for the second week in a row, coming up with a tackle in Pittsburgh’s win over the Titans.
Kevin Givens (2015-18), DT, San Francisco 49ers
Givens played 20 snaps for the 49ers in their win over the Falcons, coming up with a tackle and a QB hit.
Donovan Smith (2011-14), OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Former Penn State OL Donovan Smith once again played every snap for Tampa in its loss to the Saints.
Dan Chisena (2015-19), WR, Minnesota Vikings
Chisena did not play this week as he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Troy Apke (2014-17), S, Washington Football Team
Former Penn State safety Troy Apke made two special teams tackles in a loss to Philly on Tuesday.
Nick Bowers (2015-19), TE, Las Vegas Raiders
Bowers returned from an injury that had held him out since Week 6 this week, playing six snaps between offense and special teams in a win over the Browns.
John Reid (2015-19), CB, Seattle Seahawks
Reid played a season-high 17 snaps on defense and made one tackle in Seattle’s loss to the Rams.
Grant Haley (2014-17), CB, LA Rams
Haley played nine special teams snaps for the Rams in their win over the Seahawks.
