Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com PRESEASON 2016 93 IRISH IN THE PROS • Will Fuller, the Texans' first-round pick, started in the team's preseason opener and caught one pass for four yards. The next week against New Orleans (Aug. 21), he caught four passes for 73 yards, high- lighted by a 19-yard touchdown pass from quarter- back Brock Osweiler. "Will is one of the quieter guys in the locker room, but he's one of our hardest workers," Osweiler said. "He takes a lot of notes. He wants to be great and is always striving to be great." Fuller said he's getting more comfortable in the offense. "[I'm feeling] a lot more comfortable than I did than when I first got here," Fuller said. "But that's how it always is. [I'm] getting used to the playbook and just knowing my role and just doing everything the coaches ask of me." • Chris Brown's rookie season might be over before it ever started. The Dallas Cowboys wide receiver suf- fered a broken foot in practice Aug. 15, an injury that will require surgery. He was taken off the field on a cart, and depending on the severity, Brown is looking at a recovery period of six to eight weeks, meaning he could be back this season. Brown caught 39 passes for 548 yards and a touch- down as a junior in 2014, before setting career highs with 48 receptions, 597 yards and four touchdowns for the Irish this past season. • Quarterback Jimmy Clausen (2007-09), who fin- ished the 2015 season with the Baltimore Ravens was still searching for a team heading into the final week of August. He worked out for the Detroit Lions prior to the start of training camp at the end of July, but failed to land a roster spot. Last year with the Ravens, Clausen started two games and completed 49 of 85 passes for 555 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. He began the season with the Chicago Bears and con- nected on 23 of 40 throws for 223 yards with no scores and one pick while playing in two games and making one start. • During training camp, offensive lineman Trevor Robinson (2008-11) and defensive back Elijah Shu- mate (2012-15) were released by the San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, respectively. Shumate (hand/wrist) reached an injury settlement with the Bucs and will look to hook on with another organization when he returns to full health. ✦ Name (Years At Notre Dame) Pos. Current Team George Atkinson (2011-13) RB Oakland Raiders Robert Blanton (2008-11) DB Buffalo Bills Chris Brown* (2012-15) WR Dallas Cowboys Sergio Brown (2006-09) DB Atlanta Falcons David Bruton (2005-08) S Washington Redskins Amir Carlisle (2012-15) WR Arizona Cardinals Sheldon Day (2012-15) DL Jacksonville Jaguars Tyler Eifert (2009-12) TE Cincinnati Bengals Matthias Farley (2011-15) S Arizona Cardinals Anthony Fasano (2002-05) TE Tennessee Titans Michael Floyd (2008-11) WR Arizona Cardinals Will Fuller (2013-15) WR Houston Texans Jarrett Grace (2011-15) LB Chicago Bears Jonas Gray* (2008-11) RB Jacksonville Jaguars Ryan Harris (2003-06) OT Pittsburgh Steelers Robert Hughes (2003-07) RB Cleveland Browns Bennett Jackson (2010-13) DB New York Giants J.J. Jansen (2004-07) LS Carolina Panthers TJ Jones (2010-13) WR Detroit Lions Ben Koyack (2011-14) TE Jacksonville Jaguars Kapron Lewis-Moore (2008-12) DE Baltimore Ravens Nick Martin (2011-15) OL Houston Texans Name (Years At Notre Dame) Pos. Current Team Zack Martin (2009-13) OL Dallas Cowboys Troy Niklas (2011-13) TE Arizona Cardinals Louis Nix (2010-13) DL New York Giants Romeo Okwara (2012-15) DL New York Giants C.J. Prosise (2012-15) RB Seattle Seahawks Theo Riddick (2009-12) RB Detroit Lions Cody Riggs (2014) CB Tennessee Titans Kyle Rudolph (2008-10) TE Minnesota Vikings KeiVarae Russell (2012-15) CB Kansas City Chiefs Harrison Smith (2007-11) S Minnesota Vikings Jaylon Smith (2013-15) LB Dallas Cowboys Ronnie Stanley (2012-15) OL Baltimore Ravens John Sullivan (2003-07) C Minnesota Vikings Golden Tate (2007-09) WR Detroit Lions Manti Te'o (2009-12) LB San Diego Chargers Stephon Tuitt (2011-13) DE Pittsburgh Steelers Darrin Walls (2006-10) CB Detroit Lions Chris Watt (2009-13) OL San Diego Chargers Ian Williams (2007-10) DT San Francisco 49ers Ishaq Williams (2011-14) DL New York Giants Sam Young (2006-09) OT Jacksonville Jaguars * Placed on injured reserve IRISH IN THE NFL As of Aug. 23 Offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley performed well in his NFL debut for the Baltimore Ravens in week one of the preseason, receiving the highest grade from Pro Football Focus of any rookie that weekend. PHOTO COURTESY BALTIMORE RAVENS