Minnesota Football: Gophers in the NFL-Week 4

Week four had a ex-Gopher shining bright in prime time, the emergence of one Gopher from the practice squad back to the active roster, but the return of injuries that will slow some seasons down. Below is an update on how the ex- Minnesota Gophers in the NFL did this past week and a preview of this week’s games.

Maxx Williams— Tight End— Arizona Cardinals

Week 4 @ Los Angeles Rams

Week 5 vs San Francisco 49ers

Maxx continues to have a breakout season for the only undefeated team left in the NFL. Playing 58% of the snaps against the Rams, Maxx was targeted five times and hauled in all five grabs for 66 yards and a touchdown. It was Maxx’s first TD since Week 8 in 2020!

Chris Streveler—Quarterback—Arizona Cardinals

Week 4 @ Los Angeles Rams

Week 5 vs San Francisco 49ers

Streveler was inactive as the third QB for Arizona last weekend and did not dress for the game.

Eric Murray-Safety Houston Texans

Week 4 @ Buffalo Bills

Week 5 vs New England Patriots

Murray had a weird week where after playing every defensive snap this season he only played seven plays on special teams against the Bills last week and did not record a stat. The Texans lost 40-0 so maybe Murray should have played?

Damien Wilson—Linebacker—Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 4 @ Cincinnati Bengals (TNF)

Week 5 vs Tennessee Titans

Damien Wilson played in 85\8% of the defensive snaps in the loss to the Bengals. On 51 defensive plays Wilson made three solo and three assisted tackles in the loss.

De’Vondre Campbell—Linebacker—Green Bay Packers

Week 4 vs Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 5 @ Cincinnati Bengals

Campbell continues to have a huge season with the Packers. Playing all 60 defensive snaps Campbell had five solo tackles, four assisted tackles and a pass defense to help Green Bay beat the Steelers.

Blake Cashman—Linebacker—New York Jets

Week 4 vs Tennessee Titans

Week 5 vs Atlanta Falcons (in London)

Cashman is eligible to come off of injured reserve this week, but so far there have been so signs the Jets plan on doing so.

Antoine Winfield Jr. —Safety—Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 4 @ New England Patriots (SNF)

Week 5 vs Miami Dolphins

Prime time game, prive time performance for Winfield. In Tom Brady’s return to New England it was Winfield who showed of for the cameras on the Bucs defense. In just 46 snaps Winfield recorded five solo tackles, two assisted tackles, earned a pass defense, forced a fumble and recorded his first interception on the season.

Unfortunately Winfield left the game in the fourth quarter what is now known to be a concussion. He is in the protocol, but Bucs head coach Bruce Arians said earlier this week it’s doubtful Winfield will clear protocol this week in time to play against the Dolphins.

Tyler Johnson-WR-Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 4 @ New England Patriots (SNF)

Week 5 vs Miami Dolphins

With Antonio Brown back in the lineup TJ did not see as many plays as he might have hoped against the Patriots. Johnson played just 17 snaps and was targeted twice by Brady but both passes fell incomplete. Johnson did have his first kick return of his pro career on Sunday taking it back for ten yards.

Carter Coughlin-LB-New York Giants

Week 3 vs Atlanta Falcons

Week 4 @ New Orleans Saints

Week 5 @ Dallas Cowboys

Coughlin was back to a special teams only role on Sunday in the win over the Saints. He played 21 special teams snaps but did not record a stat/.

Benjamin St. Juste—CB—Washington Football Team

Week 3 @ Buffalo Bills

Week 4 @ Atlanta Falcons

Week 5 vs New Orleans Saints

Benjamin St. Juste missed the first game of his NFL career on Sunday sitting out in the concussion protocol. Hopefully we will be able to return this week vs the Saints.

Rashod Bateman—WR—Baltimore Ravens

Week 4 @ Denver Broncos

Week 5 vs Indianapolis Colts (MNF)

Bateman was activated off of IR last week after missing the first three games of the season with a groin injury, but after just practicing for a week was not added back to the active roster for Sunday’s game against Denver. According to the Baltimore Sun, Bateman could be ready to play against the Colts on Monday night and has a goof shot to be activated to the active roster this week.

Ryan Santoso —Kicker —Detroit Lions

Week 4 @ Chicago Bears

Week 5 @ Minnesota Vikings

For the second week in a row Santoso was elevated off of the practice squad due to the other Lions kicker Austin Siebert being on the COVID/reserve list. He was perfect in the chances he got going 2-2 on extra points in the Lions 24-14 loss to the Bears.

Santoso is back on the practice squad this week but once again could be elevated if Siebert is still not activated from the reserve list. Under new COVID CBA guidance a player can be activated from the practice squad to replace a player on the active roster unlimited times a season, but only twice in standard situations. Thus Santoso has not used any of his exemptions and is free to be elevated once again. We shall see if he gets a chance to kick at US Bank Stadium Sunday or not.

Rodney Smith—RB—Carolina Panthers

Week 4 @ Dallas Cowboys

Week 5 vs Philadelphia Eagles

Welcome back to the NFL Rodney! After Christian McCaffrey was injured once again for Carolina, Smith was elevated from the Panthers practice squad and played 26 offensive snaps in the loss to Dallas. He did not record a carry but caught five balls out of the backfield for a total of 48 yards.

McCaffrey may be back this week against the Eagles so Smith may once again be relegated to the practice squad, but it may be a game time decision.

Kamal Martin—LB—Carolina Panthers

Week 5 vs Philadelphia Eagles

Kamal is back in the NFL. After being cut in the preseason by Green Bay he signed late to the Panthers practice squad. Earlier this week Martin was signed to the active roster and will most likely make his season debut this week against the Eagles.