Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1486024
6 2 D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 2 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M Adrian Amos (2011-14), S, Green Bay Packers: Starting in every game this season, Amos has been one of the Packers' surest tacklers. Through 12 games, he is second on the team with 71 stops, in- cluding 4 tackles for loss and a sack. Troy Apke (2014-17), S, Washington Commanders: Apke was cut by the Commanders in August, then re-signed to the practice squad in October. The move didn't stick for the former PSU safety, however; he was released from the practice squad on Nov. 26. Ryan Bates (2015-18), OL, Buffalo Bills: Bates had started every game at right guard this season, but the Bills shook up their offensive line in a Thanksgiving Day matchup against Detroit, and he was switched to center. Nick Bowers (2015-19), TE, Cincinnati Bengals: Bowers joined the Bengals' practice squad on Sept. 1 and has remained there all season. Jaquan Brisker (2019-21), S, Chicago Bears: Brisker suffered a concussion in a Nov. 20 loss at Atlanta and was kept out of action for the Bears' game against the New York Jets the following week. The rookie safety is fourth on the team in tackles with 73. Cam Brown (2016-19), LB, New York Giants: Brown has been a fixture on the Giants' special teams units, appearing on kickoff coverage and return, punt cov- erage and return, and field goal block units in every game. He has 6 tackles in 11 games. Jason Cabinda (2014-17), FB, Detroit Lions: Return- ing to action for the Lions after suffering an ankle injury earlier this year, Cabinda has resumed his role as a fullback, starting games against the Giants and Buffalo Bills. The former PSU linebacker has yet to carry the ball this season. Tariq Castro-Fields (2017-21), CB, Washington Commanders: The former Penn State cornerback is on the injured reserve list. Dan Chisena (2015, 2018-19), WR, Minnesota Vi- kings: Chisena has two special teams appearances for the Vikings. He made 1 tackle apiece in games against Chicago and Washington. Arnold Ebiketie (2021), DE Atlanta Falcons: Ebik- etie hasn't racked up sacks, with only 2.5 so far this season, but he's been a threatening presence off the edge for the Falcons. According to Pro Football Focus, he has nine quarterback hits that haven't resulted in a sack this season. Sam Ficken (2011-14), K, Detroit Lions: Ficken joined the Lions' practice squad in October but has not been on the active roster for any games this season. Pat Freiermuth (2018-20), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers: Freiermuth is enjoying a strong season for the Steel- ers, even as they transition to a new quarterbacking era. The second-year pro has 47 receptions for a team-high 521 yards and a touchdown. Will Fries (2016-20), OL, Indianapolis Colts: Fries started three games through Week 12 of the season and played starting snaps during another in injury relief along the Colts' offensive line. According to PFF, he surrendered only 1 sack in those games. Mike Gesicki (2014-17), TE, Miami Dolphins: With superstar receiver Tyreek Hill and speedster Jaylen Waddle commanding targets, Gesicki's role has changed dramatically for the Dolphins. After racking up 106 targets last season, he has only 35 through 11 games. Even so, he's providing value with 4 touchdowns. Blake Gillikin (2016-19), P, New Orleans Saints: Gillikin's consistency has shined through in his third NFL season. Most impressively, he's landed 29 punts inside the 20-yard line, and only 4 have fallen into the end zone for touchbacks. Kevin Givens (2016-18), DT, San Francisco 49ers: Givens was pressed into starting duty after a rash of injuries to the 49ers' starting defensive line in Week 3 and hasn't looked back. He's tallied 3 sacks and 12 tackles for one of the best defenses in the NFL. Chris Godwin (2014-16), WR, Tampa Bay Buc- caneers: While the Buccaneers are a sinking ship, Godwin has been re-emerging for the team as a dangerous slot threat. He had 12 catches for 112 yards and a touchdown in a loss to the Browns in Week 12, his best game of the season and a good sign that he is rounding into form after a nasty ACL injury last December. Robbie Gould (2001-2004), K, San Francisco 49ers: After 18 NFL seasons, former Penn State kicker Rob- bie Gould is still getting it done. He's hit 21 of 27 field goal attempts and has allowed only 53 total return yards on kickoffs this season. Yetur Gross-Matos (2017-19), DE, Carolina Pan- thers: Gross-Matos plays an underrated role in the Carolina Panthers' defense, operating as a run de- fender first and pass rusher second. He has contrib- uted 24 tackles and 2.5 sacks this season. Grant Haley (2014-17), CB, Los Angeles Rams: Haley hasn't played since Week 6 due to an ACL sprain. KJ Hamler (2017-19), WR, Denver Broncos: Injuries continue to dim Hamler's star in the NFL. Slowed by a hamstring problem, he's missed five games and has not had much chance to flash his potential. So far, he has 7 catches for 165 yards in a struggling Denver offense. Jesse James (2012-14), TE, Cleveland Browns: James was placed on the team's injured reserve list in Week 2 due to a biceps injury. He has not been activated since. Austin Johnson (2012-25), DT, Los Angeles Char- gers: Johnson had racked up 22 tackles (3 for loss) through the first week of November. However, he suf- fered an MCL sprain and fractured left knee against Atlanta on Nov. 6 and was ruled out for the season. DaQuan Jones (2010-13), DT, Buffalo Bills: Jones continues to play roughly half of the Bills' defensive snaps. He had a season-high 6 stops in Buffalo's 28-25 Thanksgiving Day win over Detroit. For the year, he has 29 tackles and 1.5 sacks. John Lovett (2021), RB, Carolina Panthers: Lovett was cut from the Carolina Panthers' practice squad in October. The Vegas Vipers of the XFL drafted him in November. It's unclear if he will play when the league opens its season in February. Jesse Luketa (2018-21), LB, Arizona Cardinals: After bouncing back from an ACL tear that ended his 2021 season, Broncos wideout KJ Hamler has been slowed by a hamstring injury this fall. PHOTO COURTESY DENVER BRONCOS