Stanford in the NFL: Week 4Stanford in the NFL: Week 4
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Stanford in the NFL: Week 4

Tight End U. was on full display in NFL action this week

STANFORD HAS A reputation in football circles as Tight End U. and the program’s strength at that position was evident in Week 4 of the NFL season with five alums starting at that position – Washington’s Zach Ertz, Arizona’s Elijah Higgins, New England’s Austin Hooper, the Rams’ Colby Parkinson, and Houston’s Dalton Schultz.

Also, with the addition of Miami cornerback Ethan Bonner on Monday, 23 Stanford alums have played during the 2024 NFL regular season.

The following is a summary of how former Cardinal fared in the NFL this week:

New Orleans starting left cornerback Paulson Adebo intercepted a pass and had a career-high 12 tackles in the Saints’ 26-24 loss in Atlanta on Sunday. For the second consecutive game, Adebo had 10 solo tackles – a career high. He also knocked down three passes. Adebo’s interception of Kirk Cousins resulted in a Saints’

touchdown, tying the score at 7-7 in the third quarter. Adebo played all 56 of the Saints’ defensive snaps.

Minnesota starting nose tackle Harrison Phillips had six tackles and a quarterback hurry in the Vikings’ 31-29 victory at Green Bay. Phillips played 46 (61 percent) defensive snaps as the Vikings improved to 4-0 and are among two remaining undefeated teams, along with Kansas City.

Houston starting tight end Dalton Schultz had three catches for 34 yards in the Texans’ 24-20 victory over visiting Jacksonville. His 23-yard reception from C.J. Stroud set up a second-quarter field goal. Schultz played 65 (87 percent) of the Texans’ offensive snaps as Houston (3-1) moved into first in the AFC South. Jacksonville offensive tackle Walker Little was in on four special teams downs.

Washington starting tight end Zach Ertz caught three passes for 22 yards and caught a two-point conversion pass in the Commanders’ 42-14 victory at Arizona. The fourth-quarter conversion resulted in Ertz’s first points in a Washington uniform. Ertz played 49 offensive snaps as the Commanders improved to 3-1 and grabbed first in the NFC East. Arizona tight end Elijah Higgins received his first NFL start and caught two passes for 12 yards among his 40 offensive plays. Arizona starting receiver Michael Wilson caught three passes for 38 yards among his 50 offensive plays.

New England starting tight end Austin Hooper caught a touchdown pass in the Patriots’ 30-13 loss at San Francisco. In scoring his first touchdown in a Patriot uniform, Hooper caught a five-yard pass from Jacoby Brissett that cut New England’s deficit to 20-10 in the third quarter. Hooper caught two passes for 13 yards. He was in on 38 offensive plays and three on special teams.

 

 

Los Angeles Rams kicker Joshua Karty made four of five field-goal attempts in a 24-18 loss at Chicago. Karty connected from 46, 37, 25, and 52, but missed left from 43 for his first miss of the season. Karty is 9 of 10 this season. Rams starting tight end Colby Parkinson caught four passes for 33 yards. Parkinson played 53 (87 percent) offensive snaps.

New York Giants starting inside linebacker Bobby Okereke had six tackles, including a tackle for loss, in a 20-15 loss to visiting Dallas on Thursday night. Okereke, who also knocked down a pass, had five solo tackles and was in on all 56 of the Giants’ defensive snaps and played five on special teams.

New York Jets defensive tackle Solomon Thomas had one tackle in a 10-9 loss to visiting Denver. Thomas was a tackle eligible for three offensive plays, played 25 defensive snaps, and three special teams downs.

Philadelphia defensive tackle Thomas Booker made a career-high four tackles in the Eagles’ 33-16 loss at Tampa Bay. Booker had two solo tackles and was in on 24 defensive snaps.

Kansas City starting strong safety Justin Reid made one tackle and broke up a pass in the Chiefs’ 17-10 victory at the Los Angeles Chargers. Reid played 55 (98 percent) defensive snaps and three on special teams as the Chiefs improved to 4-0. Chargers receiver Simi Fehoko made a special teams tackle while playing 12 offensive snaps and 16 special teams downs. L.A. offensive tackle Foster Sarell played three special teams downs.

Buffalo defensive end Casey Toohill had a solo tackle of Derrick Henry for no gain in the Bills’ 35-10 loss at Baltimore on Sunday night. Toohill played 16 snaps on defense and 18 on special teams.

Miami cornerback Ethan Bonner received his first action of the season, playing four defensive downs and 17 on special teams in the Dolphins’ 31-12 loss to visiting Tennessee on Monday night. Bonner became the 23rd Stanford alum to play during the 2024 NFL regular season. Miami’s Jake Bailey averaged 47.6 yards for his five punts and was the holder on Jason Sanders’ two field goals.

Las Vegas offensive guard Andrus Peat contributed to the Raiders’ 20-16 victory over visiting Cleveland. Peat played four offensive snaps as an eligible receiver and played four downs on special teams.

Houston quarterback Davis Mills did not play.

Cincinnati receiver Trenton Irwin and Philadelphia quarterback Tanner McKee were inactive.

Washington receiver Brycen Tremayne and Los Angeles Chargers tight end Tucker Fisk were on practice squads.

San Francisco linebacker Curtis Robinson tore his ACL in practice and was placed on injured reserve. Robinson will be out for the season. Also on injured reserve were San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey, Atlanta center Drew Dalman, and Pittsburgh offensive lineman Nate Herbig.