Unfortunately, injuries were the story of the week for former BYU players in the NFL. Zach Wilson had a promising start for the Jets, going 6-for-10 for 51 yards. But then he took back-to-back nasty hits, the latter resulting in a leg injury and an early exit from the game. An MRI yesterday confirmed the PCL injury and Wilson is expected to miss 2-to-4 weeks while recovering.
He wasn’t the only former Coug that dealt with an injury this weekend.
Taysom Hill was out with concussion protocols from the hit he took two weeks ago. Harvey Langi got his first start of the season in New England’s 54-13 win over the Jets. But he played just 15 snaps before leaving the game with an MCL sprain He will undergo tests this week to determine how much time he will miss moving forward. And Kyle Van Noy (who also got a start in the Patriot’s game) found his way to the medical tent with a groin issue. Fortunately he was able to return to the game and had three tackles and a pass defended.
Despite the injuries, there were quite a few bright spots for former Cougs in the NFL:
- Tight end Matt Bushman was activated from the Raider’s practice squad and got to play in his first NFL game. He took 11 snaps on offense and two snaps on special teams.
- 49ers linebacker Fred Warner was back to his All-Pro ways with nine tackles (seven solo), two tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery in the Niners 30-18 loss to the Colts.
- Jamaal Williams had 12 rushes for 57 yards for Detroit.
- Ty’Son Williams returned to the lineup for Baltimore and had two rushes for 10 yards and two receptions for 24 yards.
- Brady Christensen got his second start of the season in Carolina’s 25-3 loss to New York and he played all 64 offensive snaps in the game.
- Sione Takitaki got his third start of the season for Cleveland and had three tackles in the Brown’s 17-14 win over Denver.
- Dallin Leavitt had five tackles for the Raiders.
- Khyiris Tonga had two tackles for the Bears.
- Dax Milne had two receptions for Washington.
After having just two starters last week there were seven former Cougs who started in week seven, with another six coming off the bench. Davis had a bye week, Hill was held out, Bushman was activated, and six remain on practice squads. Below you get the snap counts and statistics for each active player.
If you love our content, please support our sponsors. We can’t produce our show and articles without our sponsors. They are also an official sponsor of the BYU football team. This article is brought to you by Built Bar, built.com. Use “Criddle10” coupon code for 10% off your order.
Active Roster (15)
- Matt Bushman (TE, Raiders). Was activated from the practice squad and played in his first NFL game. He played 11 offensive snaps (17%) and two snaps on special teams (8%) and recorded no stats. Season totals: one game, no stats.
- Brady Christensen (OL, Panthers). Got his second start of the season and played all 64 snaps on offense (100%), with one snap on special teams (4%), no stats. Season totals: seven games, two starts, one solo tackle.
- Michael Davis (CB, Chargers). LA had a bye week. Season totals: Six games, six starts, 26 tackles (21 solo), two fumble recoveries for 36 yards.
- Taysom Hill (QB, Saints). After experiencing a concussion two weeks ago, Hill is sitting out with concussion protocols. Season totals: Five games, four starts, 3-for-4 passing for 12 yards and an interception, three receptions for 37 yards, 16 rushes for 75 yards and three touchdowns, one tackle.
- Harvey Langi (LB, Patriots). Started and played five offensive snaps (8%) and seven snaps on special teams (26%), no stats. Season totals: Seven games, one start, two tackles (one solo).
- Dallin Leavitt (DB, Raiders). Played 23 defensive snaps (33%) and 17 snaps on special teams (71%). Had five tackles (three solo). Season totals: Six games, 16 tackles (seven solo), one pass defended.
- Dax Milne (WR, Washington). Had 29 offensive snaps (40%) and had two receptions for 16 yards on four targets. Season totals: Five games, one six yard reception.
- Daniel Sorensen (S, Chiefs). Played 16 defensive snaps (24%) and 10 snaps on special teams (53%). Had one tackle. Season totals: Seven games, five starts, 36 tackles (27 solo), two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, one pass defended.
- Sione Takitaki (LB, Browns). Started and played 17 defensive snaps (34%) and 13 snaps on special teams (65%). He had three tackles (one solo). Season totals: Six games, three starts, 14 tackles (six solo), one quarterback hit, two tackles for loss, one fumble recovery.
- Khyiris Tonga (DT, Bears). Played 22 snaps on offense (30%) and seven snaps on special teams (28%) and had two solo tackles. Season totals: Six games, one start, eight tackles (six solo).
- Kyle Van Noy (LB, Patriots). Started and played 62 defensive snaps (95%) and had three tackles (one solo) and a pass defended. Season totals: Five games, one start, 14 tackles (10 solo), one sack, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit, one pass defended, one fumble recovery.
- Fred Warner (OLB, 49ers). Stared and played all 68 offensive snaps (100%). Had nine tackles (seven solo), two tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery. Season totals: Six games, six starts, 53 tackles (36 solo), four tackles for loss, one pass defended, one fumble recovery.
- Jamaal Williams (RB, Lions). Started and played 20 offensive snaps (29%) and rushed 12 times for 57 yards. Season totals: Seven games, seven starts, 71 carries for 312 yards and two touchdowns, 16 receptions for 99 yards.
- Ty’Son Williams (RB, Ravens). Played 21 offensive snaps (29%) and had two rushes for 10 yards and two receptions for 24 yards. Season totals: Five games, three starts, 33 rushes for 181 yards and one touchdown, nine receptions for 84 yards.
- Zach Wilson (QB, Jets). Started and played 18 offensive snaps (28%) before leaving the game with a knee injury. Wilson went 6-for-10 through the air for 51 yards and was sacked one time. Season totals: Six games, six starts 104-for-181 passing (.575), 1168 yards, four touchdowns, nine interceptions. Eight rushes for 22 yards. He has been sacked 19 times (3.2 sacks/game avg).
On Roster but Inactive (1)
- Francis Bernard (LB, Cowboys). Has missed this whole season with a hamstring injury.
Practice Squads (6)
- Zayne Anderson (CB, Chiefs). Season totals: one game, no stats
- Tristen Hoge (OT, Browns).
- Bronson Kaufusi (TE, Packers).
- Kai Nacua (S, 49ers).
- Troy Warner (S, Rams).
- Chris Wilcox (DB, Colts).
Free Agents (10)
The follow players had an NFL contract at some point in 2021 but are not currently signed to an NFL team: Ziggy Ansah (DE, 49ers), Zac Dawe (DL, Falcons), John Denney (LS, Saints), Kavika Fonua (DB, Panthers), Chandon Herring (OT, Titans), Aleva Hifo (WR, Cardinals), Corbin Kaufusi (OT, 49ers), Isaiah Kaufusi (LB, Colts), Dayan Lake (S, Rams), Micah Simon (WR, Panthers).
If you love our content, please support our sponsors. We can’t produce our show and articles without our sponsors. They are also an official sponsor of the BYU football team. This article is brought to you by Built Bar, built.com. Use “Criddle10” coupon code for 10% off your order.
