Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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52 NOV. 30, 2024 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY TODD D. BURLAGE W ith a stat line of 1 catch for 5 yards on 3 targets, second-year Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer wasn't expecting any celebratory parades last weekend, especially following a 34-19 loss to the Miami Dolphins Nov. 17 — the Raiders' sixth straight defeat. But after unexpectedly, and some- what mysteriously, missing the pre- vious six games for personal reasons, finally having the former Notre Dame All-American back in uniform and on the field was a positive step for both the player and the franchise. Stopping short of offering any details on why he left his team for about seven weeks after Week 3, Mayer explained that now that he's back on the active roster, it's time to look forward, not back. "I'm so thankful for this organiza- tion," Mayer said following his return. "I'm so thankful for the support they showed me. I felt really happy and good out there." Plenty of speculation persisted on the reasons for Mayer's departure and extended absence. And most of it sug- gested that it was diminishing playing time after the addition of star Georgia tight end Brock Bowers to the team in the 2024 NFL Draft. But judging by Mayer's reaction upon his return, concerns over playing time didn't fit his explanation. "The No. 1 important rule is that football's not bigger than life. It isn't, and it never has been," Mayer said. "I just needed to figure some things out. That's what I did, and I'm on my feet again. I'm doing all of the things that I need to be doing to set myself up for success and help the team. Whatever they ask me to do these next eight, nine, 10 weeks, 11 weeks, I'll do it for 'em." Mayer never shared any details during his absence, and nothing credible was ever reported, so suffice it to say that nobody outside of his family might ever know the whole story, maybe not even his head coach. "It was good to see big Mike back," Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said upon having Mayer back in the fold. "He looked good, he was in shape. He stayed out here the entire bye week, working out and getting himself back into foot- ball shape." A second-round draft pick in 2023, Mayer — a native of Independence, Ky. — played in 14 games as a rookie last season and recorded 27 catches for 304 yards with 2 touchdowns on 40 tar- gets. In four games this season, Mayer had 5 catches for 26 yards on 10 targets through the Miami loss, and with a deep appreciation to be back. "I couldn't ask for a better organiza- tion, a better support system, a better all of that stuff," he said. "It was a per- sonal matter. Me and my family handled it behind closed doors." ✦ Tight End Michael Mayer Is Back Where He Belongs I R I S H I N T H E P R O S FIGHTING IRISH HEADLINERS Joe Alt (Played at Notre Dame from 2021-23), OT, Los Angeles Chargers, NFL Making a strong case for NFL All-Rookie Team honors, the North Oaks, Minn., native enjoyed one of the best games of his young career in a 34-27 win over the Cincinnati Bengals Nov. 17. Alt allowed only 1 quarterback pressure in 42 pass-blocking opportunities, and earned an 84.4 grade from Pro Football Focus in run blocking after helping the Chargers to 155 rushing yards and 6.9 yards per offensive play. Kyle Hamilton (2019-21), S, Baltimore Ravens, NFL Just another day at the office for the first-team All-Pro candidate. In an 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers Nov. 17, the Atlanta product recorded 10 tackles (9 solo), including 3 defensive stops (tackles that result in a failure for the offense), and al- lowed only 1 reception in pass coverage. Through 11 games, Hamilton ranked second on the Ravens with 81 tackles, plus had 7 passes broken up and 2 sacks. Cam Hart, (2019-23), CB, Los Angeles Chargers, NFL Continuing his production surge after recently being named a starter, the standout rookie enjoyed a terrific day in pass coverage during a 34-27 win over the Cincinnati Bengals Nov. 17. The Baltimore native was targeted 8 times but allowed only 5 receptions for 25 yards, for just 3.1 yards per attempt. Hart also broke up 2 passes and made 5 tackles, though he did leave the game with a head injury in the second half. In four games this season through the 34-19 loss at Miami Nov. 17, Mayer had 5 catches for 26 yards on 10 targets. PHOTO COURTESY LAS VEGAS RAIDERS