Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com PRESEASON 2018 77 IRISH IN THE PROS games last season … Did not play in the team's first two preseason games as a healthy scratch. • J.J. Jansen (2004-07), LS, Carolina Panthers: Will once again handle all the team's long snapping du- ties in 2018. • Jarron Jones (2012-16), OT, Tampa Bay Bucca- neers: Signed by the Buccaneers in early August and will attempt to make the 53-man roster as a reserve lineman … Did not play in the team's first preseason game due to the timing of his signing, but saw action in the second. • TJ Jones (2010-13), WR, Detroit Lions: Recorded five receptions for 40 yards and a touchdown in his first two games of the preseason … After achieving career highs in receptions (30) and receiving yards (399) in 2017, will remain part of the Lions wide receiver rotation. • DeShone Kizer (2014-16), QB, Green Bay Pack- ers: Battling with former UCLA star Brett Hundley for the backup job in Green Bay after getting traded by the Cleveland Browns … Completed 16 of 30 passes (53.3 percent) for 283 yards with two touchdowns in his first two preseason games. • Ben Koyack (2011-14), TE, Jacksonville Jaguars: Did not catch a pass in the team's first two preseason contests … Will remain as more of a blocking tight end heading into his third season. • Cole Luke (2013-16), CB, Carolina Panthers: Made one tackle in his first two preseason games … Will fight to remain on the roster as a reserve. • Nick Martin (2011-15), OL, Houston Texans: Started in 14 games last season before needing ankle surgery … Expected to anchor the Texans' offensive line in 2018 … Has started both preseason contests so far. • Zack Martin (2009-13), OL, Dallas Cowboys: Became the highest-paid of- fensive lineman in NFL history when he signed a six-year deal worth $84 mil- lion total with $40 million guaranteed, but Tennessee's Taylor Lewan has since surpassed him … During his team's sec- ond preseason game, he left with a knee injury … As of Aug. 20, his status was unknown. • Greer Martini (2014-17), LB, Green Bay Packers: After going undrafted, is working to make the Packers roster in a reserve linebacker/special teams role … Made four tackles in his first two pre- season games. • Mike McGlinchey (2013-17, OL, San Francisco 49ers: Earned rave reviews throughout the offseason and preseason … In position to take over at right tackle for the 49ers in 2018. • Quenton Nelson (2014-17), OL, In- dianapolis Colts: Much like McGlinchey, appears to be a day one starter for the Colts at left guard and has seen con- stant praise come his way since getting drafted. • Romeo Okwara (2012-15), DE, New York Giants: Pushing to work himself back into the Giants defensive end rotation after injuries limited him to 10 games in 2017 … Regis- tered four tackles in the team's first two preseason contests. • James Onwualu (2013-16), LB, Los Angeles Char- gers: Has not seen action this preseason … Played in nine games last year after going undrafted, but was waived toward the end of the year … Could remain as a special teamer in 2018. • C.J. Prosise (2012-15), RB, Seattle Seahawks: Projected to be in the running back rotation in his third season if he can remain healthy … Played in just 11 games his first two seasons … Carried the ball three times for 12 yards while adding 35 yards on six receptions in his first preseason action Aug. 18. • Theo Riddick (2009-12), RB, Detroit Lions: Set to be a fixture in Detroit's running back rotation in 2018 … Rushed for six yards on one carry and added 50 yards on three catches in his first preseason ac- tion Aug. 17. • Isaac Rochell (2013-16), DT, Los Angeles Char- gers: Played 50 snaps in the final three games of 2017 and is expected to make the roster as a reserve in 2018 … Shed 25 pounds this offseason and could be poised to make an impact in his second year in the league … Registered two sacks in his second start of the preseason Aug. 18. • Kyle Rudolph (2008-10), TE, Minnesota Vikings: Entrenched as Minnesota's starting tight end follow- ing his third straight year with at least 49 catches … Will look to return to his 2016 form that saw him reel in 83 passes for 840 yards and seven touchdowns … Had a career-high eight touchdowns in 2017 while hauling in 57 receptions for 532 yards. • KeiVarae Russell (2012-15), CB, Cincinnati Ben- gals: Making the bid for a spot on the Bengals' 53-man roster with a strong preseason through two weeks, recording six total tackles and one interception. • Harrison Smith (2007-11), S, Minnesota Vikings: Continues to make a strong argument for being the best safety in the NFL … Posted a 98.8 Pro Football Focus grade in 2017, which was the highest recorded by the company in its 12 years. • Jaylon Smith (2013-15), LB, Dallas Cowboys: Played in 16 games after missing his rookie year due to recovery from the devastating knee injury he suf- fered in college … Made 81 tackles last year and is said to be even healthier heading into 2018 … Has totaled six stops in the first two preseason games. • Durham Smythe (2013-17), TE, Miami Dolphins: Projected to make the 53-man roster after being selected in the fourth round. Caught three passes for 33 yards in Miami's first two preseason matchups. • Equanimeous St. Brown (2015-17), WR, Green Bay Packers: Appears likely to make the Packers ros- ter as a reserve … Caught four passes for 61 yards in his first NFL action, and added one reception for 12 yards in his second game. • Ronnie Stanley (2012-15), OT, Baltimore Ravens: Locked in as the Ravens' starting left tackle … Started all 15 games he played in 2017. • John Sullivan (2003-07), C, Los Angeles Rams: Suffered an arm injury scare during train- ing camp, but returned with no major issues … Did not play in team's first two preseason games, but should remain the starter if healthy after signing a two-year deal this offseason. • Golden Tate (2007-09), WR, Detroit Lions: Registered fourth straight 90-re- ception season for the team in 2017 and will remain a major part of the receiving corps … Played in his team's first two pre- season games, catching one pass for 11 yards … Suffered a knee injury in the first, but returned to see snaps in the second. • Manti Te'o (2009-12), LB, New Or- leans Saints: Figures to be a major part of the team's linebacker group in 2018 after starting 10 games in his first year in New Orleans last season (62 total tack- les) … Has been seeing starting snaps this preseason at middle linebacker. • Stephon Tuitt (2011-13), DE, Pitts- burgh Steelers: Played in only 12 games in 2017 due to a biceps and back injury, and made 25 tackles … Healthy and primed for a breakout season … Started the first two preseason tilts and notched one stop. • Sam Young (2006-09), OT, Miami Dolphins: Set to continue serving as a reserve offensive lineman entering his ninth year in the league, and third with the Dolphins … Played in the first two preseason games. ✦ San Francisco 49ers tackle Mike McGlinchey continues to transition to the NFL game, but appears likely to begin the year as the starter on the right side. PHOTO BY TERRELL LLOYD/COURTESY SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS