The 2019 NFL regular season has come to a close, and plenty of former Michigan Wolverine football players will now be advancing to the playoffs.
Several also made a bang on the campaign's final weekend, including Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark and Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham, who each recorded sacks for their clubs.
OG Ben Braden, New York Jets
Saw action in the 7-9 Jets' 13-6 win at Buffalo, marking his first appearance of the 2019 season … Was released by the Green Bay Packers Nov. 7 and was signed by New York Nov. 13.
QB Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Completed 16 of 29 passes for 221 yards with two touchdowns and a pick in 12-4 New England's 27-24 loss to Miami … Connected on 60.8 percent of his passes this season for 4,057 yards with 24 scores and eight interceptions, and also ran for three touchdowns … Ranks seventh in the NFL in passing yards, tied for 13th scoring tosses and 19th in passer rating (88.0).
"If you ever find yourself in a game with friends where you’re trying to stump one another with sports trivia, file this one away: Tom Brady’s 540th touchdown pass, the one that moved him past former all-time record holder Peyton Manning but into second place behind Drew Brees, went to a linebacker named Elandon Roberts," Shalise Manza Young of Yahoo Sports wrote on Sunday. "That’s a true statement.
"Late in the third quarter of Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins, Roberts was lined up at fullback on first down from the Miami 38. He ran a wheel route and was completely ignored by the Dolphins’ defense as he ran, catching the pass from Brady and scoring the 38-yard touchdown.
"He’s the 77th player to catch a touchdown from Brady, extending his NFL record, but only the second who was a defensive player: [former linebacker and current Titans head coach] Mike Vrabel had 10 touchdown catches from Brady in his career."
TE Ian Bunting, Indianapolis Colts
After being released by the Jets Sept. 25, he was signed to the 7-9 Colts' practice squad Oct. 8, but did not appear in a game for either team.
LB Devin Bush Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers
Started 8-8 Pittsburgh's 28-10 loss to Baltimore, and accumulated a season-high 12 tackles … Played in all 16 clashes this year and started 15 of them, compiling 109 tackles, one sack, four passes defended, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery he ran back nine yards for a touchdown … His 109 tackles led all NFL rookies, and were four more than Washington rookie linebacker Cole Holcomb's 105, who checked in second.
"The Pittsburgh Steelers have had seasons where there was no clear-cut answer for who would be their rookie of the year," Jeff Hartman of Behind the Steel Curtain wrote on Friday. "At times it was simply by default, especially if the team was a veteran-laden team. 2019 was not the case with several players being considered as worthy candidates for the Joe Greene Award. Ultimately, the Pittsburgh Chapter of Pro Football Writers of America selected Devin Bush as the 2019 Joe Greene Award winner, for the team’s top rookie of the season."
TE Jake Butt, Denver Broncos
Resides on the 7-9 Broncos' injured reserve list after suffering a torn ACL Aug. 28.
DE Taco Charlton, Miami Dolphins
Did not see time in the 5-11 Dolphins' 27-24 win over New England, marking the second straight week he didn't play and the third time in four contests … Started five of the 10 games he appeared in , and logged 21 tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles.
"Defensive end Taco Charlton said Monday that he doesn’t know what to think about the Dolphins making him inactive for three of the final four games this season, or what it might mean for his future with the team," Steve Gorten of The Palm Beach Post explained on Monday.
“'I don’t know if I’m in their plans,' he told The Post as players cleaned out their lockers at the team’s Nova Southeastern University practice facility the morning after a season-ending victory at New England. 'I don’t know anything. I just show up every day, work hard, and see where the pieces may fall. I love these guys in the locker room, so I try to give everything I can to perform and show them what I can do.
"'Hopefully, I was able to make a good impression. At this point, it’s a business at the end of the day. I know that. I’ve seen that firsthand that it’s a business, so I’ll prepare myself for what happens next.'"
WR Jehu Chesson, Washington Redskins
Is on the 3-13 Redskins' injured reserve and did not appear in an outing this year.
DE Frank Clark, Kansas City Chiefs
Notched two tackles, one sack and a pass defended in the 12-4 Chiefs' 31-21 triumph over the Chargers … Started 11 of the 14 contests he took part in, and posted 37 tackles, eight sacks, four passes defended, one pick for five yards and three forced fumbles … Tied for 33rd in the league in sacks.
OL Mason Cole, Arizona Cardinals
Saw time off the bench in 5-10-1 Arizona's 31-24 setback to the Rams … Received playing time in all 16 of the Cardinals' tilts, but only started two of them.
CB Blake Countess, New York Jets
Did not see the field for a third straight week in 7-9 New York's 13-6 win at Buffalo … Took part in six affairs in 2019, but did not rack up any stats.
WR Amara Darboh, Pittsburgh Steelers
Did not receive playing time in 2019, despite being promoted from the practice squad to the 8-8 Steelers' 53-man roster Dec. 16.
WR Devin Funchess, Indianapolis Colts
Missed the final 15 games of the year with a broken collarbone, after only appearing in the 7-9 Colts’ season-opening loss to the Chargers … Hauled in three catches for 32 yards before suffering the injury.
LB Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers
Came off the bench in the 13-3 packers’ 23-20 victory at Detroit, but did not record any statistics … Played in all 16 games (no starts) and registered 21 stops with two sacks.
LB Ben Gedeon, Minnesota Vikings
Suffered his second concussion of the year Nov. 17, and spent the rest of the campaign on the injured reserve … Started five of the eight contests he took part in for 10-6 Minnesota and tallied 13 tackles.
TE Zach Gentry, Pittsburgh Steelers
Did not play in 8-8 Pittsburgh's 28-10 loss to Baltimore … Only received playing time in four games and totaled one reception for four yards.
OL Graham Glasgow, Detroit Lions
Started 3-12-1 Detroit's 23-20 loss to Green Bay, marking his 15th start in 15 outings this season (missed the game at Oakland Nov. 3 with a back injury).
"At this point, Glasgow seems headed for free agency," Kyle Meinke of MLive reported Dec. 29. "He said this week it would be 'almost dumb' not to test the waters, and he’s right. He already took on the risk of playing through a contract season, so he might as well reap the potential benefits of a bidding war too. And with the way interior offensive linemen have gotten paid in recent years, he figures to be headed for a major pay bump.
"He made $2.03 million this year. There are 17 guards who average at least quadruple that, including [New Orleans Saint offensive guard Larry] Warford, and Glasgow could be looking at a similar type of contract."
DT Ryan Glasgow, Cincinnati Bengals
Started two of the five contests he participated in and accumulated seven tackles for the 2-14 Bengals, but suffered a knee injury Oct. 27 and missed the rest of the year.
DE Brandon Graham, Philadelphia Eagles
Compiled three tackles and one sack in 9-7 Philadelphia's 34-17 triumph over the Giants … Started all 16 tilts and logged 50 tackles, 8.5 sacks and one forced fumble … Tied for 27th in the league in sacks.
"Brandon Graham wanted a T-shirt," Zach Berman of The Athletic wrote after the Eagles clinched the NFC East. "He expressed it earlier in the week when thinking about Sunday’s win-and-in Week 17 game against the Giants. An Eagles victory would clinch the NFC East, and the NFL rewards division champions with commemorative gear.
"Graham sat by his locker after the Eagles’ 34-17 win over the Giants set up next Sunday’s opening-round playoff game against Seattle and glanced at the new shirt hanging above him. He was waiting to shower and add it to his ensemble.
"The midnight green shirt reads “THE EAST IS NOT ENOUGH” wrapped around an Eagles logo. Some players wore it during the locker room celebration and posed with it in pictures, while dancing to 'The Box' by Roddy Ricch and 'Dreams and Nightmares' by Meek Mill. Others wore it onto the bus back to Philadelphia, even accessorizing it under their suits."
QB Chad Henne, Kansas City Chiefs
Did not see any action for 12-4 Kansas City in 2019, serving as the club's third-string quarterback behind Patrick Mahomes and Matt Moore.
RB Karan Higdon, Houston Texans
Spent the entire 2019 campaign on the 10-6 Texans' practice squad, and did not participate in an game this year.
S Lano Hill, Seattle Seahawks
Earned the starting nod for the second straight week in 11-5 Seattle's 26-21 loss to 13-3 San Francisco, and tied his season high with six tackles … Started four of the 12 games he played in and notched 25 stops.
"I don’t have a good opinion of it," head coach Pete Carroll said after the club's loss, addressing Hill's play. "I have to see the film. I don’t know. There were a couple plays that I wish he would have made on some crossing stuff that got out, like the last time we played them. And, unfortunately, it happened again. But, all in all, he did a nice job."
DT Maurice Hurst, Oakland Raiders
Started 7-9 Oakland's 16-15 loss to Denver and posted two tackles … Played in all 16 contests in 2019 (four starts), and racked up 18 stops, 3.5 sacks, three passes defended and one interception he returned 55 yards.
OL Kyle Kalis, Oakland Raiders
Was signed to the 7-9 Raiders' practice squad Oct. 23, but was then released Dec. 4 after not having appeared in a game with them … The club signed him yet again Dec. 11, but he never played in a game this season.
OT Taylor Lewan, Tennessee Titans
Started at left tackle in 10-6 Tennessee's 35-14 win at Houston … Received the starting nod in all 12 contests he competed in this season, after returning Oct. 6 from his four-tilt suspension to begin the year.
CB Jourdan Lewis, Dallas Cowboys
Started for the fourth time in six weeks in 8-8 Dallas' 47-16 destruction of Washington, recording five tackles … Saw playing time in all 16 games (five starts), and registered 51 stops, four sacks, six passes defended and two picks.
CB David Long, Los Angeles Rams
Tallied a career-best three tackles and one pass defended in the 9-7 Rams' 31-24 victory over Arizona … Took part in eight contests this season (no starts), and totaled 10 tackles and two passes defended.
OL Erik Magnuson, Oakland Raiders
Spent most of the season on the 7-9 Raiders' practice squad, with his lone appearance of 2019 coming in a win over Detroit Nov. 3 … Was signed by Oakland off the Bills' practice squad Oct. 30.
DT Bryan Mone, Seattle Seahawks
Did not see the field in 11-5 Seattle's 26-21 loss to the 49ers … Received playing time in just four contests in 2019, and accumulated four stops.
OL Patrick Omameh, New Orleans Saints
Saw playing time in a backup role in 13-3 New Orleans' 42-10 destruction of Carolina … Played in 14 games this season, but only earned the starting nod in one (a 26-18 win at Atlanta Nov. 28).
S Jabrill Peppers, New York Giants
Was placed on the 4-12 Giants' injured reserve list with a back ailment Dec. 7 … Began all 11 outings for New York prior to the injury, and compiled 76 tackles, five passes defended, one interception he returned 32 yards for a score and three forced fumbles … He also averaged 12.3 yards on four punt returns and 23 yards on one kick return.
QB Jake Rudock, Miami Dolphins
Spent the entire season on the 5-11 Dolphins' practice squad.
LB Jake Ryan, Jacksonville Jaguars
Was put on 6-10 Jacksonville's injured reserve list Dec. 10 with a hamstring ailment … Took part in just two games after missing the first 11 while recovering from an offseason ACL injury, but didn't log any statistics.
OL Michael Schofield, Los Angeles Chargers
Started the 5-11 Chargers' 31-21 loss to the Chiefs, marking the 16th consecutive start he made this season.
CB Brandon Watson, Jacksonville Jaguars
Notched a season-best two tackles off the bench in the 6-10 Jaguars' 38-20 triumph over Indianapolis … Competed in eight contests (no starts) and posted five stops.
P Matt Wile, Free Agent
Was released by the 3-12-1 Lions Dec. 5 and has been a free agent ever since … Had been on Detroit's practice squad after the team signed him Nov. 16 following his being waived by the Falcons … He appeared in two affairs with Atlanta, and averaged 48.3 yards on six punts, while dropping three of the six inside the opponents' 20-yard line.
S Jarrod Wilson, Jacksonville Jaguars
Racked up six tackles in 6-10 Jacksonville's 38-20 win over the Colts … Earned the starting nod in all 16 clashes this season and recorded 79 tackles, four passes defended, two picks for a combined four yards and one forced fumble.
DE Chase Winovich, New England Patriots
Registered one tackle off the bench in the 12-4 Patriots' 27-24 loss to Miami … Competed in all 16 contests (no starts), and tallied 26 tackles, 5.5 sacks and a touchdown on a blocked punt return.
According to Bernd Buchmasser of Pats Pulpit, he played 20 of the team's 68 snaps (29 percent) against the Dolphins, and 18 of the club's 29 special teams snaps (62 percent).
DE Chris Wormley, Baltimore Ravens
Started and totaled four tackles in the 14-2 Ravens' 28-10 triumph over the Steelers … Played in all 16 games this year (seven starts), and accumulated 33 stops, 1.5 sacks and two passes defended.
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