Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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IRISH IN THE PROS "You look at him and he's been mak- ing steady progress since coming back from injury," Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said. "He's really got a huge upside. He's got return ability, and he's faster than what you think. "He's tough, can catch the ball in traf- fic. He hasn't reached his pinnacle yet." NFL NOTES Through Dec. 28 • Denver Broncos safety David Bruton (2005-08) suffered a fractured leg in a 34-27 loss at Pittsburgh Dec. 20 and was placed on injured reserve. Bruton started three times for the Broncos in 2015 while registering 49 tackles, seven pass deflections, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in 13 games in his best season as a professional. • After starting in consecutive weeks for the injury- depleted Baltimore Ravens, quarterback Jimmy Clau- sen (2007-09) was inactive for the team's 20-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers Dec. 27. In four games with the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens, Clau- sen completed 72 of 125 passes for 739 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions. • Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert (2009- 12) had missed three of the last four games head- ing into the final weekend of the season due to a stinger and concussion. He was on the receiving end of 48 passes for 564 yards while scoring 12 times in 12 games. • Minnesota Vikings safety Robert Blanton (2008- 11) recorded a pair of tackles in a 49-17 win over the New York Giants Dec. 27. • Tennessee Titans tight end Anthony Fasano (2002- 05) notched two receptions for 21 yards in a 34-6 loss to the Houston Texans Dec. 27. • Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (2008-11) snagged six receptions for 111 yards in a 38-8 win over the Green Bay Packers Dec. 27 in the University of Phoenix Stadium, just five days prior to Notre Dame facing Ohio State in the same building. • Jacksonville Jaguars running back Jonas Gray (2008-11) carried the ball five times for 31 yards in a 38-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints Dec. 27. • Arizona Cardinals tight end Troy Niklas (2011-13) played but did not record a stat in the 38-8 rout of Green Bay Dec. 27. He played in each of the team's first 15 games while starting three times. • Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (2009- 12) registered seven carries for 20 yards and seven receptions for 63 yards in a 32-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers in his first start of the season Dec. 27. • Although he began the season as a reserve, San Diego Chargers offensive lineman Trevor Robinson (2008-11) has started 12 times this season and played in 15 games, mostly as a replacement for fellow for- mer Irish lineman Chris Watt (2009-13), who has missed most of the season due to injury. • Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (2008- 10) caught two passes for 53 yards and one touch- down in the 49-17 win over the New York Giants Dec. 27. • Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (2007- 11) recorded five tackles, one pass deflection and returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown in the victory versus the Giants. • Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (2007- 09) caught four passes for 59 yards in the 32-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers Dec. 27. • San Diego Chargers linebacker Manti Te'o (2009- 12), Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt (2011-13) and San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Ian Williams (2007-10) each recorded six tackles in week 16. NBA NOTES Through Dec. 28 • New York Knicks guard Jerian Grant (2010-15) averaged 5.2 points, 2.3 assists and 1.8 rebounds per game in the first 29 contests of his professional career. • Fellow rookie Pat Connaughton (2011-15) of the Portland Trail Blazers averaged 0.5 points and 2.9 minutes in his first 10 NBA games. ✦