The first two weeks of the NFL season are officially in the books, and plenty of former Wolverines have made significant impacts.
Michigan was tied for 14th nationally with 26 former players on opening-day NFL rosters (not counting those on injury reserved lists, practice squads or commissioner’s exempt list).
Here is a look at where all of them reside, and how each performed during the sport’s first two weeks of action:
• Ben Braden (Played at U-M from 2012-16), OG, New York Jets: Was waived by the 1-1 Jets Sept. 13, but was signed to their practice squad the following day … Has not appeared in a game this season.
• Tom Brady (1996-99), QB, New England Patriots: Completed 24 of 35 passes (68.6 percent) for 234 yards with a TD and no picks in a 31-20 loss at Jacksonville ... Is connecting on 67.6 percent of his throws with five touchdowns and one pick for the 1-1 Patriots … Has thrown for 511 yards and is averaging 6.9 yards per pass ... Following the setback, Larry Brown of LarryBrownSports.com detailed how Brady thinks the team “needs to play with more energy.”
• Jake Butt (2013-16), TE, Denver Broncos: Started his second straight game in a 20-19 win against Oakland, and set new career highs in both catches (four) and receiving yards (48) ... Has reeled in six receptions for 77 yards (12.8 yards per catch) for the 2-0 Broncos … “It was slow going [against the Raiders], as [Denver quarterback] Case Keenum struggled mightily out of the gates, posting just 16 passing yards in the first half on five completions — but it was clear that targeting Butt in this game was a priority,” Chad Jensen of CBS Denver wrote on Sept. 17. “… The Broncos stormed back in the second half to snatch a victory from the veritable jaws of defeat, and Butt’s play was a big part of that.”
• Taco Charlton (2013-16), DE, Dallas Cowboys: Made three tackles in a 20-13 victory over the New York Giants ... Has earned the starting nod at defensive end in the season’s first two contests for 1-1 Dallas, and has tallied a sack, a pass defended and six tackles.
• Jehu Chesson (2012-16), WR, Free Agent: Appeared in the Washington Redskins’ 21-9 loss to Indianapolis, but did not record any statistics … Was waived by the team Sept. 17 and is now a free agent.
• Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Seattle Seahawks: Tallied three tackles and a sack in the Seahawks' 24-17 loss at Chicago on Monday night ... Is off to a solid start for the 0-2 Seahawks, recording a sack in each of the first two games among four total tackles.
• Jeremy Clark (2012-16), CB, New York Jets: Resides on 1-1 New York’s practice squad and has not seen action in a regular-season contest.
• Mason Cole (2014-17), C, Arizona Cardinals: Started at center in Arizona’s 34-0 loss to the Los Angeles Rams ... Has served as the team’s starting center in each of the 0-2 Cardinals’ first two games after incumbent A.Q. Shipley tore his ACL in fall camp.
• Blake Countess (2011-14/finished at Auburn), CB, Los Angeles Rams: Played in the Rams’ 34-0 thrashing of Arizona, but did not accumulate any statistics ... Has seen action in both of 2-0 Los Angeles’ games this season and recorded one tackle.
• Amara Darboh (2012-16), WR, Seattle Seahawks: Failed a physical with the New England Patriots Sept. 3, and was reverted back to Seattle as a result … Placed on the 0-2 Seahawks’ injured reserve list after undergoing successful shoulder surgery Sept. 4 … “When the Patriots cut Darboh, his contract was returned to the Seahawks,” Andy Patton of SeahawksWire wrote on Sept. 14. “His injury will keep him out for the 2018 season, so Seattle fans will get to see Darboh battle for a roster spot once again in 2019.”
• Devin Funchess (2012-14), WR, Carolina Panthers: Had an excellent showing in the 31-24 loss at Atlanta, hauling in seven catches for 77 yards ... Is second on the 1-1 Panthers in both catches (10) and receiving yards (118) through two contests … Has not brought in a score yet, but is averaging 11.8 yards per reception.
• Ben Gedeon (2013-16), LB, Minnesota Vikings: Did not register any statistics in 1-0-1 Minnesota’s 29-29 tie with the Packers, only playing six snaps ... Did earn a 90.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, though, which was the highest of any Minnesota defender ... Has made one start this season and compiled five total tackles.
• Graham Glasgow (2012-15), OG, Detroit Lions: Started at center in the Lions’ 30-27 loss at San Francisco ... Has been in the opening lineup in both contests for 0-2 Detroit.
• Ryan Glasgow (2013-16), DT, Cincinnati Bengals: Tallied two tackles in a 34-23 triumph over Baltimore ... Has participated in each of 2-0 Cincinnati’s games (no starts) and registered seven total tackles.
• Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles: Started and recorded four stops in the Eagles’ 27-21 loss at Tampa Bay on Sunday ... Has started at defensive end in 1-1 Philadelphia’s first two contests and made six combined stops.
• Leon Hall (2003-06), CB, Oakland Raiders: Compiled five tackles and one pass defended in Oakland's 20-19 loss at Denver ... Has started one contest for the 0-2 Raiders, while tallying 11 tackles and two passes defended.
• Chad Henne (2004-07), QB, Kansas City Chiefs: Hasn't seen action this year, serving as Pat Mahomes’ backup for 2-0 Kansas City.
• Willie Henry (2013-15), DT, Baltimore Ravens: Missed the 1-1 Ravens’ first two contests while recovering from umbilical hernia surgery he underwent in late August ... According to a tweet by the official Baltimore Ravens account, Henry will not practice prior to the team’s week three game versus Denver.
• Delano Hill (2013-16), S, Seattle Seahawks: Missed 0-2 Seattle’s 24-17 loss at Chicago on Monday night due to a hamstring injury ... Played in the season-opening loss to Denver and registered one stop.
• Khalid Hill (2013-17), FB, Seattle Seahawks: Placed on the 0-2 Seahawks’ injured reserve list and has not played this season … “He is still Seattle’s property, but going on IR before the season means he cannot play this year unless there were to be an injury settlement made and he became a free agent,” Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times explained Sept. 4.
• Mo Hurst (2013-17), DT, Oakland Raiders: In the 20-19 loss at Denver, he made his first career start and tallied his initial professional sack ... Has recorded four tackles and a sack in two games played for the 0-2 Raiders ... “He could continue to see additional reps if fellow rookie defensive tackle P.J. Hall remains sidelined with an ankle injury,” CBS Sports wrote Sept. 17.
• Kyle Kalis (2012-16), OG, Cleveland Browns: Signed to the 0-1-1 Browns’ practice squad and has not participated in a game this season.
• Joe Kerridge (2011-15), FB, Green Bay Packers: Is a member of 1-0-1 Green Bay’s 10-man practice squad, and has not been activated for either of the first two games.
• Taylor Lewan (2009-13), OT, Tennessee Titans: Missed this past weekend's contest against Houston with a concussion ... Started the season opener for 1-1 Tennessee against Miami, but suffered the injury in that game and has not appeared since ... Head coach Mike Vrabel revealed at his Monday press conference that the lineman is “progressing well,” but has not yet been cleared.
• Jourdan Lewis (2010-13), CB, Dallas Cowboys: Saw action in Dallas’ 20-13 win over the New York Giants, but did not record any stats ... Has seen time in both contests for the 1-1 Cowboys, but has yet to register a statistic.
• Erik Magnuson (2012-16), OL, San Francisco 49ers: A hamstring injury has held him out of the 1-1 49ers’ first two contests.
• Patrick Omameh (2008-12), OG, New York Giants: Started at right guard in a 20-13 loss at Dallas ... Has begun both affairs for the 0-2 Giants this season.
• Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), S, Cleveland Browns: Stuffed the stat sheet in Cleveland's 21-18 loss at New Orleans, registering five tackles while returning three kicks for 82 yards and one punt for no yards ... Has started at safety in each of the 0-1-1 Browns' first two contests, and has tallied 11 tackles, a fumble recovery, a 15-yard average on two punt returns and has brought back four kicks for 106 yards ... Earned a 74.7 overall grade by Pro Football Focus in the setback to the Saints, which was the highest of all the Browns defenders.
• Jake Rudock (2015), QB, Detroit Lions: Has found a home on the 0-2 Lions’ practice squad and hasn’t been activated in 2018.
• Jake Ryan (2010-14), LB, Green Bay Packers: Placed on the 1-0-1 Packers’ injured reserve and will miss the entire 2018 season after tearing his ACL Aug. 1.
• Michael Schofield (2009-13), OG, Los Angeles Chargers: Started at right guard in the Chargers' 31-20 victory over Buffalo on Sept. 16 ... Has been in the opening lineup at right guard in both contests for 1-1 Los Angeles.
• Dymonte Thomas (2013-16), S, Denver Broncos: Saw action in Denver's 20-19 victory over Oakland and made one tackle ... Has played in both contests for the 2-0 Broncos, notching a single stop.
• Matt Wile (2011-14), P, Minnesota Vikings: Punted four times for an incredible 51-yard average — but had one blocked — in a 29-29 tie at Green Bay ... “I just knew right when I was making contact with the ball, it was, ‘Huh, well, there’s someone there,’” Wile said after the game, per twincities.com. “… ’But after that punt, I just was focused on coming back and hitting good ones the rest of the game" ... Has a total of 10 boots through two games for 1-0-1 Minnesota, posting a 43.4 average with six pinning opponents inside the 20-yard line.
• Jarrod Wilson (2012-15), S, Jacksonville Jaguars: Saw time in the Jaguars’ 31-20 victory over New England, but did not produce any statistics ... Has participated in both contests this year, but has only compiled any stats.
• Chris Wormley (2012-16), DL, Baltimore Ravens: After coming off the bench in the season opener, earned a starting assignment in the 34-23 loss at Cincinnati … Has tallied three tackles and two passes defended for the 1-1 Ravens.
---
• Talk about this article inside The Fort
• Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes
• Learn more about our print and digital publication, The Wolverine
• Follow us on Twitter: @TheWolverineMag, @BSB_Wolverine, @JB_ Wolverine, @AustinFox42, @Balas_Wolverine, @DrewCHallett and @Qb9Adam.
• Like us on Facebook
