Minnesota Football: Gophers in the NFL Week 10

Week 10 was a mostly quiet week around the NFL for former Gophers. But, we saw another debut as Rodney Smith made his NFL debut with the Carolina Panthers and may be in line for even more carries over the next few weeks! Here is our recap of how the former Minnesota Golden Gophers performed in Week 10 in the NFL and a look ahead to Week 11.

Maxx Williams— Tight End— Arizona Cardinals

Week 10 vs Buffalo Bills

Week 11 @ Seattle Seahawks (TNF)

Williams played 39 snaps in the Cardinals miraculous win over the Bills on Sunday but did not record any stats. He and the Cardinals now come back on a short week to face division rival Seattle Thursday night.

De’Vondre Campbell—Linebacker—Arizona Cardinals

Week 10 vs Buffalo Bills

Week 11 @ Seattle Seahawks (TNF)

Campbell played just 39 snaps on defense against the Bills and recorded one solo and two assisted tackles in the win.

Week 10 vs Buffalo Bills

Week 11 @ Seattle Seahawks (TNF)

Backup QB to arguably the NFL MVP.

Eric Murray-Safety Houston Texans

Week 10 @ Cleveland Browns

Week 11 vs New England Patriots

Murray played all 65 defensive snaps for the Texans as they lost an ugly weather riddled game 10-7 to Cleveland. Murray recorded three solo tackles and added an assisted tackle in the loss.

Damien Wilson—Linebacker—Kansas City Chiefs

Week 10 BYE

Week 1 @ Las Vegas Raiders (SNF)

The Chiefs had a bye last week and will return to action on Sunday Night Football in Vegas.

Blake Cashman—Linebacker—New York Jets

Week 10 BYE

Week 11 @ Los Angeles Chargers

The jets had their bye last week and return to play in LA this weekend.

Antoine Winfield Jr. —Safety—Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 10 @ Carolina Panthers

Week 11 vs Los Angeles Rams (MNF)

Winfield had his quietest week as a pro this week when he played all 48 defensive snaps for the Bucs but only recorded one assisted tackle in the Tampa win.

Tyler Johnson-WR-Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 10 @ Carolina Panthers

Week 11 vs Los Angeles Rams (MNF)

Johnson continues to see his field time cut significantly with the signing of Antonio Brown. Johnson played just seven snaps on Sunday and got one target from Tom Brady, but the pass was incomplete.

Carter Coughlin-LB-New York Giants

Week 10 vs Philadelphia Eagles

Week 11 BYE

Coughlin played three snaps on defense this week against the Eagles and did not record any stats.

Kamal Martin-LB-Green Bay Packers

Week 10 vs Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 11 @ Indianapolis Colts

Martin played just 13 snaps in his return to the Packers after missing a week as a close contact in the COVID testing protocol. He did not record any stats against the Jags.

Rodney Smith-RB-Carolina Panthers

Week 10 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 11 vs Detroit Lions

Smith made his NFL debut last Sunday against fellow Gopher rookies Antoine Winfield Jr and Tyler Johnson. Smith was elevated to the active roster and then once Mike Davis got hurt he saw nine offensive snaps for the Panthers. Rodney rushed three times for 13 yards and caught one pass for two yards. He had one gorgeous run for 10 yards and a first down that looked very familiar to Gophers fans.

Smith may be in the running for more work in the future as Christian McCaffery is expected to miss at least this week’s game against Detroit and Mike Davis who got injured and let Smith get into the game is questionable with a thumb injury.