Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1528325
W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M T he days leading up to Saquon Bar- kley's return to MetLife Stadium were something of an ordeal for the former New York Giant turned Phila- delphia Eagle. Throughout game week, Barkley had to answer plenty of ques- tions about what it felt like to face the team he had left after six seasons. But if that experience was weighing on his mind, it certainly didn't show on game day. Barkley outgained his previ- ous employer all by himself, carrying 17 times for 176 yards in a 28-3 victory by the visiting Eagles in Week 7. The former Nittany Lion running back was booed throughout the game by New York fans, and their frustration was exacerbated by the Giants' offen- sive efforts, which netted only 119 yards. Barkley was glad to put it all behind him. "To be honest, I'm so happy this game Saquon Barkley Romps In Matchup With Former Team G R E G P I C K E L | G R E G . P I C K E L @ O N 3 . C O M PSU IN THE PROS Ryan Bates (Played at Penn State from 2016- 18), OL, Chicago Bears: Bates was placed on in- jured reserve Sept. 15 due to shoulder and elbow problems. Since playing 38 snaps in the Bears' opener against Tennessee, he has not seen ac- tion. Jaquan Brisker (2019-21), S, Chicago Bears: Brisker was seventh on the Bears with 293 defen- sive snaps through six games. He had 40 tackles, a forced fumble, an interception and 2 pass break- ups while playing in five games. Cam Brown (2016-19), LB, Miami Dolphins: Brown was signed to the practice squad this off- season but has been on the Dolphins' injury re- serve list since August. The nature of his injury was not disclosed. Ji'Ayir Brown (2020-22), S, San Francisco 49ers: Brown had 4 tackles in the 49ers' 28-18 loss to Kansas City in Week 7. The former Nittany Lion has netted 37 stops this season, including 3 for loss. Dan Chisena (2015-19), WR, Carolina Panthers: Chisena was on Arizona's practice squad, but the team cut him on Oct. 11. Six days later, he joined the Panthers' practice squad. Sean Clifford (2017-22), QB, Green Bay Pack- ers: When quarterback Jordan Love returned after being injured in Green Bay's opener against Philadelphia, Clifford went back to the practice squad. He has yet to see game action this season. Jahan Dotson (2018-21), WR, Philadelphia Eagles: Dotson had caught 6 passes for 35 yards through the Eagles' first six games. Arnold Ebiketie (2021), LB, Atlanta Falcons: Ebiketie had 13 tackles, including 1 for loss, through six games. Olumuyiwa Fashanu (2020-23), OL, New York Jets: Listed as Tyron Smith's backup at left tackle, the rookie played in three of New York's first seven games and had received a 49.0 blocking grade from Pro Football Focus on 160 snaps. Pat Freiermuth (2018-20), TE, Pittsburgh Steel- ers: Freiermuth had 3 catches for 51 yards in the Steelers' Week 7 win over the New York Jets. For the season, he has 24 catches for 245 yards and 2 scores. Will Fries (2017-20), OL, Indianapolis Colts: Fries was placed on injured reserve Oct. 7 after his right tibia was fractured against Jacksonville. Before getting hurt, he had started four games at right guard for the Colts. Mike Gesicki (2014-17), TE, Cincinnati Bengals: Gesicki had just 1 catch for 2 yards in the Bengals' win over Cleveland in Week 7. For the season, he has totaled 18 receptions for 180 yards. Blake Gillikin (2016-19), P, Arizona Cardinals: Gillikin was averaging 49.3 yards through seven games, with 7 of his 22 punts landing inside the opponent's 20. Kevin Givens (2016-18), DT, San Francisco 49ers: Listed as the 49ers' backup nose tackle, Givens had 10 tackles and 3.5 sacks through seven games. Yetur Gross-Matos (2017-19), DE, San Francisco 49ers: According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Gross- Matos is still recovering from a knee sprain suf- fered in preseason camp. He is on injured reserve and has yet to play this season. KJ Hamler (2017-2019), WR, Buffalo Bills: Ham- ler is on Buffalo's practice squad. Daequan Hardy (2019-23), CB, Buffalo Bills: Hardy is on Buffalo's practice squad. Adisa Isaac (2019-23), LB, Baltimore Ravens: Slowed by a hamstring injury, Isaac played in only one of the Ravens' first seven games, totaling 3 tackles against Buffalo in Week 4. Curtis Jacobs (2020-23), LB, New England Pa- triots: The rookie linebacker saw action in four of New England's first seven games, totaling 1 solo tackle. Austin Johnson (2013-15), DT, Buffalo Bills: Listed as the Bills' backup left defensive tackle behind fellow Penn State alum DaQuan Jones, Johnson had 4 tackles through seven games. Theo Johnson (2020-23), TE, New York Giants: Former Nittany Lions In The NFL As of Oct. 21 Barkley was a splashy free agent acquisition for Philadelphia in the offseason and has lived up to high expectations, ranking third in the league with 658 rushing yards. COURTESY PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 6 4 N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 4