The NFL playoffs are near, and several former Michigan Wolverines are doing their part. Unfortunately, one of those former Wolverines may not be able to suit up on Christmas Day following an injury on Sunday.
J.J. McCarthy’s status for Christmas in doubt
In a win over the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy scored a rushing touchdown and did his own version of the dance that Justin Jefferson made iconic — the Griddy.
McCarthy didn’t have the best game stats-wise, throwing for just 108 yards and turning the ball over twice on an interception and a strip sack. He left the game in the first half after that strip sack after injuring his hand, leaving his status uncertain for the Vikings’ Christmas game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings could knock the Lions out of playoff contention on Thursday, so maybe that will motivate him to return to the field.
We know the Vikings will be without safety Josh Metellus the rest of the season after he was put on IR, having surgery on a nagging shoulder injury. He finishes the season with 86 tackles, six passes defensed and two interceptions in 14 games.
A few key sacks, including another franchise record for Hutch
Even though the Lions are on the brink of being eliminated from the playoffs, defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is having yet another stellar season. In a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Hutchinson had two sacks to get him up to 11.5 on the season. Per Lions PR, he’s the first player in Lions history to log multiple double-digit sack seasons in the first four years of his career.
The eye test matches the advanced stats when it comes to Hutchinson. On Pro Football Focus, he’s the fourth-highest rated graded edge among 112 qualified players (91.1).
He wasn’t the only former Wolverine to rack up a sack. Continuing to wreak havoc after coming out of retirement a few weeks ago, Brandon Graham logged his third sack of the season with the Eagles.
In those same two games, safety Jabrill Peppers logged a tackle for the Steelers, Mike Sainristil had five tackles and a pass defensed for the Commanders, and Jake Moody made his lone field goal attempt from 20 yards for the Commanders as well.
Other notable performances
-In a thrilling win over the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet scored a touchdown while rushing nine times for 32 yards, and caught four passes for 22 yards. He’s up to nine touchdowns in 2025, a new single-season career high.
In that same game, Seahawks tight end A.J. Barner caught four passes for 49 yards and a touchdown. For the Rams, linebacker Josaiah Stewart logged a tackle.
-In a win over the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland caught three passes for 30 yards. In that same game, Rashan Gary logged two quarterback hits for the Packers.
-In a loss to the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush logged nine tackles.
-In a win over the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Chargers running back Hassan Haskins rushed for 14 yards on four carries, while Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton III ran for seven yards and threw for 11 yards on two attempts.
-In a win over the Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna had five tackles.
-In a win over the Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals safety Dax Hill and cornerback DJ Turner II combined for seven tackles. Hill also had a pass defensed.
-In a loss to the Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals cornerback Will Johnson made three tackles and logged two passes defensed.
-In a win over the Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins caught four passes for 59 yards.
-In a loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football, Indianapolis Colts defensive end Kwity Paye logged two tackles and a tackle for loss.
-In a loss to the New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens linebacker David Ojabo made a tackle.
