Week 9 for Cougs in the NFL saw a lot of movements with a couple players sitting out with injuries, a couple coming back from injuries, and several making an impact for their teams.
Sione Takitaki started for the Browns and had his most productive game of the season with seven tackles (three solo), while former All-Pro Fred Warner also had his highest tackle count of the season with 14 (six solo) for the 49ers.
Linebacker Kyle Van Noy started and had two solo tackles and two passes defended for the Patriots, defensive back Dallin Leavitt had two tackles and a fumble recovery for the Raiders, safety Daniel Sorensen had one tackle and one QB hit for the Chiefs, and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga had one tackle for the Bears.
While Harvey Langi (LB, Patriots), Michael Davis (DB, Chargers), and Zach Wilson (QB, Jets) are out with injuries, a couple of former Cougars came back from injuries this week to help their teams. Quarterback Taysom Hill finally got back into the action after sitting since week 5 with a concussion. He rushed once for four yards and went 2-for-2 passing for 33 yards for the Saints. And linebacker Francis Bernard played in his first game of the 2021-22 season, getting 17 snaps on special teams but recording no stats for the Cowboys.
Brady Christensen (OT, Panthers) and Ty’Son Williams (RB, Ravens) also played this week but recorded no stats.
For week 9 there were just three former Cougs that got starts for their NFL teams (Warner, Takitaki, and Van Noy), with another six coming off the bench, four injured, and two having byes. Six remain on practice squads. Below you get the snap counts and statistics for each active player.
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Active Roster (12)
- Francis Bernard (LB, Cowboys). Played 17 snaps on special teams (74%) and recorded no stats. Season totals: One game, no stats.
- Brady Christensen (OL, Panthers). Played two snaps on special teams (9%), no stats. Season totals: Nine games, two starts, one solo tackle.
- Taysom Hill (QB, Saints). After sitting since week 5 with a concussion, Hill played 17 offensive snaps (22%) and three snaps on special teams (11%). He rushed once for four yards and went 2-for-2 passing for 33 yards. Season totals: Six games, four starts, 5-for-6 passing for 45 yards and an interception, three receptions for 37 yards, 17 rushes for 79 yards and three touchdowns, one tackle.
- Dallin Leavitt (DB, Raiders). Played six defensive snaps (11%) and 21 snaps on special teams (81%), recording two tackles (one solo), and one fumble recovery. Season totals: Seven games, 18 tackles (eight solo), one pass defended, one fumble recovery.
- Dax Milne (WR, Washington). Washington had a bye in week 9. Season totals: Seven games, three receptions for 44 yards
- Daniel Sorensen (S, Chiefs). Played 22 defensive snaps (35%) and six snaps on special teams (27%), had one solo tackle and one QB hit. Season totals: Nine games, five starts, 39 tackles (30 solo), two tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, one pass defended.
- Sione Takitaki (LB, Browns). Started and played 29 defensive snaps (39%) and 16 snaps on special teams (57%). He had seven tackles (three solo). Season totals: Seven games, three starts, 17 tackles (nine solo), one quarterback hit, two tackles for loss, one fumble recovery.
- Khyiris Tonga (DT, Bears). Played 15 snaps on defense (21%) and six snaps on special teams (17%) and had one tackle. Season totals: Eight games, one start, 10 tackles (seven solo), one tackle for loss.
- Kyle Van Noy (LB, Patriots). Started, and played 41 defensive snaps (69%) and had two solo tackles and two passes defended. Season totals: Eight games, three starts, 18 tackles (14 solo), one sack, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit, four passes defended, one fumble recovery.
- Fred Warner (OLB, 49ers). Stared and played all 70 defensive snaps (100%). He had 14 tackles (six solo). Season totals: Six games, six starts, 53 tackles (36 solo), four tackles for loss, one pass defended, one fumble recovery.
- Jamaal Williams (RB, Lions). The Lions had a bye in week 9. 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 18 offensive snaps (18%) but recorded no stats. Season totals: Six games, three starts, 33 rushes for 181 yards and one touchdown, nine receptions for 84 yards.
On Roster but Inactive (4)
- Matt Bushman (TE, Raiders). After playing his first NFL game in week seven, Bushman stayed on the bench for the week 9 game. Season totals: one game, no stats.
- Michael Davis (CB, Chargers). Was inactive after sustaining a hamstring injury in last week’s game. Season totals: Seven games, seven starts, 26 tackles (21 solo), two fumble recoveries for 36 yards.
- Harvey Langi (LB, Patriots). Langi got his first start in week 7, but he suffered a sprained MCL and was placed on injured reserve October 26. He is expected to miss a minimum of three games. Season totals: Seven games, one start, three tackles (one solo).
- Zach Wilson (QB, Jets). Inactive after sustaining a knee injury in week six. He could be back for week 10. 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).
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.
