The Wolverines that played in the NFL this past weekend largely dominated for their respective franchises. From a franchise record being broken for Detroit to a rookie making a huge impact for the Dallas Cowboys, here is everything you need to know about former Michigan Football players in the NFL during Week 2.
Dax Hill, CB, Cincinnati Bengals
Hill was arguably the most productive former Wolverine of the weekend. The Cincinnati defensive back finished with 10 tackles and a career-high four passes defended in the Bengals’ 20-6 win
over Houston. His previous career high was three passes defended, set last season against Arizona.
Hill was particularly busy with C.J. Stroud throwing 55 passes as Houston played from behind. Through two games, the former Michigan defensive back already has 17 tackles and four passes defended.
Aidan Hutchinson, edge rusher, Detroit Lions
Detroit’s defense had a rough night in Buffalo, but Hutchinson continued to do Hutchinson things. He recorded three tackles, one sack and a forced fumble in the Lions’ 41-31 loss. The sack gave him three through the first two games after his two-sack opener against New Orleans.
More importantly, Hutchinson’s sack extended his streak to eight consecutive games dating back to last season, setting a Lions franchise record. He appears to have picked up exactly where he left off last year.
Jaishawn Barham, LB, Dallas Cowboys
Barham is only two games into his NFL career, but the rookie is already making an impact. With Dallas dealing with injuries at linebacker, he wore the green dot and handled defensive communication against Washington. He finished with seven tackles and forced a crucial second-half fumble that Dallas recovered before turning the extra possession into a touchdown.
After recording six tackles in his NFL debut, the former Wolverine now has 13 through his first two games.
Mason Graham, DT, Cleveland Browns
Make it two games and two sacks for Graham. After getting Trevor Lawrence in Week 1, Graham recorded three tackles and another sack in Cleveland’s 23-19 road victory over Tampa Bay.
Graham recorded just half a sack during his entire rookie season. He already has two through the first two weeks of Year 2.
Jourdan Lewis, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Lewis provided one of the best individual plays of the weekend for a former Wolverine.
Late in the first half against Denver, Bo Nix tried to find 6-foot-4 Courtland Sutton in the back of the end zone. Lewis went up with him and came away with the interception, keeping Denver out of the end zone and helping Jacksonville take a 10-3 lead into halftime.
Lewis finished with four tackles, a pass defended and the interception in Jacksonville’s 20-13 loss.
AJ Barner, TE, Seattle Seahawks
Barner found a slightly unconventional way to reach the end zone Sunday. The Seattle tight end took a fourth-quarter carry from the goal-line and punched it in to finish off the Seahawks’ 31-7 win over Arizona.
Barner also caught one pass for eight yards in the victory.
Quick hitters
- Wide receiver Nico Collins did not play for Houston due to a hamstring injury after catching seven passes for 75 yards and a touchdown in Week 1.
- Cornerback DJ Turner II recorded five tackles and a career-high-tying two passes defended in Cincinnati’s win over Houston.
- Defensive tackle Kris Jenkins Jr. recorded a sack of C.J. Stroud, giving him sacks in each of Cincinnati’s first two games.
- Linebacker Devin Bush finished with four tackles and a pass defended in Chicago’s 9-3 loss to Minnesota.
- Chicago tight end Colston Loveland caught one pass for three yards against Minnesota after going without a catch in Week 1.
- Cornerback Will Johnson recorded four tackles and a pass defended in Arizona’s loss to Seattle. Unfortunately, he might miss the rest of the season with a neck injury, per local reports.
- Cornerback Mike Sainristil finished with four tackles in Washington’s 37-20 loss to Dallas.
- Edge rusher Rashan Gary recorded three tackles in Dallas’ victory over Washington.
- Edge rusher Kwity Paye followed his two-sack opener with two tackles in Las Vegas’ 26-14 win over the Chargers.
- Edge rusher Braiden McGregor recorded three tackles for the Jets against Green Bay.
- Punter Tommy Doman punted twice for 83 yards in Buffalo’s victory over Detroit, putting one inside the 20 and allowing no return yards.
- Kicker Dominic Zvada converted on two field goals for the Giants, including one from 52 yards, on Monday Night Football against the Rams.
- Running back Blake Corum ran 12 times for 79 yards on Monday Night Football for the Rams. He also caught one pass for 13 yards. Additionally, Rams edge rusher Josaiah Stewart recorded one tackle.
