STANFORD CEMENTED ITS reputation as Tight End U. with the NFL debuts of Atlanta's Tucker Fisk and Arizona's Elijah Higgins on Sunday. Their additions give Stanford six active NFL tight ends. They join Arizona's Zach Ertz, Las Vegas' Austin Hooper, Seattle's Colby Parkinson, and Houston's Dalton Schultz as Stanford alums who have played in NFL regular-season games this season.
In all, 27 former Stanford players have played in the NFL this year and 265 have played in NFL or American Football League regular-season games all-time.
Here is a summary of how Stanford alums fared in Week 7 of the NFL season:
Christian McCaffrey. Photo by Brad Rempel/USA TODAY Sports.
San Francisco starting running back Christian McCaffrey scored two touchdowns in the 49ers' 22-17 loss at Minnesota on Monday night to pass John Riggins and O.J. Simpson for the most consecutive games, including postseason, with a touchdown from scrimmage. McCaffrey scored on a three-yard run in the second quarter and a 35-yard pass play in the third. His touchdown streak of 16 games is one short of the consecutive games TD streak of Colts' Lenny Moore (1963-64) that includes one game with a touchdown on a fumble return.
McCaffrey rushed 15 times for 45 yards and caught three passes for 51. He continues to lead the NFL in rushing, with 598 yards in seven games, and is tied with Miami's Raheem Mostert for the league lead in touchdowns, with 11. McCaffrey played on every 49er offensive snap.
Minnesota starting defensive tackle Harrison Phillips had four tackles and played 39 snaps.
Harrison Phillips (right). Photo by Brad Rempel/USA TODAY Sports.
Arizona tight end Elijah Higgins made his NFL debut, catching one pass for no gain in the Cardinals' 20-10 loss at Seattle. Higgins, who was activated off the Cardinals' practice squad, played six offensive snaps and seven on special teams. Arizona starting tight end Zach Ertz had three catches for 19 yards on 35 offensive snaps. Arizona starting receiver Michael Wilson had three catches for 26 yards on 55 offensive snaps.
Seattle tight end Colby Parkinson had two catches for 26 yards, with a long of 27 to help set up a field goal. He played 32 offensive snaps and nine on special teams. Cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly played seven special teams snaps for the Seahawks.
Colby Parkinson. Photo by Steven Bisig/USA TODAY Sports.
Atlanta tight end Tucker Fisk made his NFL debut, playing two offensive snaps and seven special teams snaps in the Falcons' 19-16 victory at Tampa Bay. Fisk was activated off the Falcons' practice squad.
Falcons starting center Drew Dalman has the best season run-block grade among NFL centers, with a 90.1 grade by Pro Football Focus. Dalman has the 11th-best overall blocking grade among all NFL linemen by Pro Football Focus, at 82.5, and is No. 2 among centers. In Week 7, Dalman had the eighth-best overall blocking grade among offensive linemen, at 83.5, and was No. 1 among centers.
Bobby Okereke (58). Photo by Vincent Carchietta/USA TODAY Sports.
New York Giants starting middle linebacker Bobby Okereke had 11 tackles, including seven solo, and a pass defensed in a 14-7 victory against visiting Washington. Okereke, who played every Giants' defensive snap, is fifth in the NFL in solo tackles, with 36, and ninth in total tackles, with 64. He had the 17th-best overall defensive grade among linebackers in Week 7 by Pro Football Focus, with a 75.1 grade, and was 11th in run defense, at 75.1.
Washington defensive end Casey Toohill had one tackle while playing 10 defensive snaps and 26 special teams snaps.
Justin Reid. Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/USA TODAY Sports.
Kansas City starting safety Justin Reid had four tackles and a pass defensed in the Chiefs' 31-17 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Chargers. Reid played every Chiefs' defensive snap, and three on special teams. Receiver Simi Fehoko played on seven special teams snaps and offensive tackle Foster Sarell played on three for the Chargers.
Miami starting punter Jake Bailey averaged 45.0 yards on three punts in the Dolphins' 31-17 loss at Philadelphia. Bailey, who held on a field goal and two extra points, had a 59-yard punt and a 45-yarder that went out of bounds at the Philadelphia 5-yard line.
Las Vegas tight end Austin Hooper had two catches for 18 yards while playing 22 offensive snaps in the Raiders' 30-12 loss at Chicago.
Austin Hooper. Photo by Jamie Sabau/USA TODAY Sports.
New Orleans starting left cornerback Paulson Adebo had seven tackles, two passes defensed and forced a fumble in the Saints' 31-24 loss to visiting Jacksonville on Thursday night. Adebo, who had five solo tackles, played every defensive snap. Teammate Andrus Peat started at offensive left tackle and played every Saints' offensive snap.
New England receiver Ty Montgomery played on 12 special teams snaps and one offensive snap in the Patriots' 29-25 victory over visiting Buffalo.
Pittsburgh offensive guard Nate Herbig played four special teams snaps in the Steelers' 24-17 victory at the Los Angeles Rams.
Carolina (defensive end Henry Anderson), Cincinnati (receiver Trenton Irwin, safety Michael Thomas), Houston (quarterback Davis Mills, tight end Dalton Schultz), and the New York Jets (defensive end Solomon Thomas) had byes.
Denver offensive tackle Cameron Fleming did not play.
Jacksonville offensive lineman Walker Little and Philadelphia quarterback Tanner McKee were inactive.
Philadelphia defensive tackle Thomas Booker, Miami cornerback Ethan Bonner, San Francisco linebacker Curtis Robinson, Washington receiver Brycen Tremayne, and Chicago defensive back Kendall Williamson were on practice squads.