Stanford in the NFL: Week 13Stanford in the NFL: Week 13
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Stanford in the NFL: Week 13

A summary of how Cardinal alums fared around the league

THREE FORMER STANFORD tight ends scored touchdowns in Week 13, but the biggest news among Cardinal alums was the loss of the 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey, the A.P.’s 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, for the season with a knee injury.

The following is a summary of how former Cardinal fared in Week 13 of the NFL season:

San Francisco starting running back Christian McCaffrey, the 2023 NFL rushing leader, was lost for the season with a knee injury in the second quarter of the 49ers’ 35-10 loss at Buffalo on Sunday night. McCaffrey injured the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee after gaining 53 yards on seven carries and catching two passes for 14 yards against the Bills. 

McCaffrey is expected to be placed on injured reserve. He finishes the season with 202 yards rushing on 50 carries and 146 yards receiving on 15 catches. After scoring a league-leading 21 touchdowns last year, McCaffrey, who was in on 12 offensive plays Sunday, did not score in his injury-shortened four-game 2024 season.

Buffalo defensive end Casey Toohill had one solo tackle among his 12 defensive plays and 13 special teams downs against the 49ers.

Kansas City starting strong safety Justin Reid broke up two passes, had a tackle for loss, and a quarterback hurry in the Chiefs’ 19-17 victory over visiting Las Vegas on Sunday. Reid had six tackles, including four solo, as Kansas City (11-1) maintained its position at No. 1 in the AFC playoff picture. Reid played every defensive snap and six on special teams. Raiders’ offensive guard Andrus Peat played six special teams downs.

Houston starting tight end Dalton Schultz caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud to help the Texans to a 23-20 victory at Jacksonville. It was the first touchdown of the season for Schultz, who caught five passes for 61 yards. Schultz was wide open for a short pass on the right side and scored untouched with 12:11 left to give Houston a 23-6 fourth-quarter lead. Schultz has 41 catches for 424 yards this season. He played 43 (68 percent) offensive snaps. The Texans (8-5) hold the No. 4 spot in the AFC playoff picture.

Jacksonville starting offensive left tackle Walker Little played all 70 offensive snaps and three on special teams against the Texans. 


Minnesota starting nose tackle Harrison Phillips had five tackles, knocked down a pass and had a quarterback hurry in the Vikings’ 23-22 victory over visiting Arizona. Phillips played 42 defensive snaps as the Vikings (10-2) hold the No. 5 playoff position in the NFC.

Arizona starting receiver Michael Wilson had five catches for 55 yards against the Vikings. Wilson’s 22-yard catch in the second quarter was the Cardinals’ longest gain of the day and led to a field goal. Wilson played 67 offensive snaps (82 percent). Cardinals’ tight end Elijah Higgins had two catches for 23 yards, including a long of 19, while playing 25 offensive snaps. He also was in on nine special teams downs.

Washington starting tight end Zach Ertz caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Jayden Daniels in the Commanders’ 42-19 victory over visiting Tennessee. It was the fourth touchdown of the season for Ertz and third in as many games. Ertz caught three passes for 35 yards, including a 25-yarder in the third quarter on his own scoring drive. Ertz, who played 55 offensive snaps (66 percent), has 52 catches for 501 yards this season as the Commanders (8-5) climbed to No. 7 in the NFC’s playoff picture.  

Atlanta center Drew Dalman returned to action for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in Week Three and played every offensive snap, and recovered a fumble, in the Falcons’ 17-13 loss to the visiting Los Angeles Chargers. Chargers starting tight end Tucker Fisk had one catch for one yard while playing 20 offensive snaps and nine special teams downs. Offensive tackle Foster Sarell played three special teams downs for the Chargers. 

New England tight end Austin Hooper caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Drake Maye to give the Patriots a second-quarter lead in a 25-24 loss to visiting Indianapolis. It was Hooper’s third touchdown of the season and second in as many games. Hooper caught four passes for 42 yards and has 31 catches for 337 yards this season. Hooper also had a fumble recovery among his 36 offensive and six special teams downs.

New York Giants starting inside linebacker Bobby Okereke had two tackles for loss and knocked down a pass in a 27-20 loss at Dallas on Thanksgiving. Okereke had nine tackles, including five solo, while playing 74 defensive snaps (97 percent) and five on special teams. Both of Okereke’s TFL’s came on the same fourth-quarter series, on tackles of Rico Dowdle that forced the Cowboys to punt. Okereke is tied for 21st in the NFL in tackles, with 93.

Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson caught one pass for 13 yards in a 21-14 victory at New Orleans. Parkinson played 20 offensive snaps and seven on special teams. Rams kicker Joshua Karty made all three extra-point attempts for the Rams (6-6), who climbed back to .500.

Miami’s Jake Bailey averaged 48.7 yards on three punts in the Dolphins’ 30-17 loss at Green Bay on Sunday. Bailey also held on placekicks.

New York Jets defensive tackle Solomon Thomas had one tackle in a 26-21 loss to visiting Seattle. Thomas played 22 defensive snaps and five downs on special teams.

Philadelphia defensive tackle Thomas Booker played four defensive snaps and six on special teams in the Eagles’ 24-19 victory at Baltimore. The Eagles (10-2) lead the NFC East and hold the No. 2 playoff position in the conference.

Houston quarterback Davis Mills did not play.

Miami cornerback Ethan Bonner and Philadelphia quarterback Tanner McKee were inactive.

Cincinnati receiver Trenton Irwin was inactive Sunday and waived Monday after six seasons with the Bengals. He had two starts and seven appearances this season.

Washington receiver Brycen Tremayne and Los Angeles Chargers safety Kendall Williamson were on practice squads.

New Orleans cornerback Paulson Adebo, Los Angeles Chargers receiver Simi Fehoko, Pittsburgh offensive guard Nate Herbig, and San Francisco linebacker Curtis Robinson were on injured reserve.