Stanford in the NFL: Week 18Stanford in the NFL: Week 18
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Football

Stanford in the NFL: Week 18

A summary of performances from Cardinal alums around the league

IN THE NFL regular season that ended Sunday, 32 Stanford alums were on NFL rosters, 31 saw action (three more than 2023), and 23 started at least one game (two more than last year). Four alums made their NFL debuts and 17 are on rosters of playoff teams (seven more than last year).

Here is the position breakdown of the 31 who played in the 2024 season: six tight ends, five defensive backs, five offensive linemen, four defensive linemen, four receivers, two quarterbacks, two linebackers, one kicker, one punter, and one running back.

Through history, 270 Stanford alumni have played in NFL or AFL regular-season games.

Of note in Week 18, winning efforts by Tanner McKee (Philadelphia) and Davis Mills (Houston) on Sunday marked the first time two Stanford quarterbacks helped their teams to victories in the same week since Chad Hutchinson (Dallas) and Randy Fasani (Carolina) in Week 13 of the 2002 season.

And having McKee and Mills in action marked the first time Stanford had multiple QBs play on the same weekend since Andrew Luck (Indianapolis) and Kevin Hogan (Cleveland) in Week 16 of 2016.

Here is a summary of how former Cardinal fared in Week 18 of the NFL season and overall in the regular season:

Washington starting tight end Zach Ertz caught a five-yard touchdown pass from Marcus Mariota in the Commanders’ 23-19 victory at Dallas. Ertz was lined up in the right slot before running a quick out pattern toward the pylon and Mariota hit him on a rollout. The TD, which put Washington up 10-9 in the third quarter, was the seventh for Ertz and his most in a season since 2018. Ertz caught five passes for 44 yards against the Cowboys, giving him 66 catches for 654 yards heading into an NFC wild-card round duel against Tampa Bay. Ertz, an 11-year veteran, played 53 offensive snaps (91 percent) against Dallas.

Philadelphia quarterback Tanner McKee made his first career start and led the Eagles to a 20-13 victory over the visiting New York Giants. McKee threw two touchdown passes while completing 27 of 41 for 269 yards. McKee hit Ainias Smith from 15 yards to open the scoring and connected with tight end E.J. Jenkins for seven yards to build a 17-3 fourth-quarter lead. In two games since making his NFL debut last week, McKee has completed 30 of 45 passes (66.7 percent) for 323 yards, with four touchdowns and no interceptions. His passer rating is 117.2. The Eagles open the playoffs at Green Bay. With the availability of Jalen Hurts and Kenny Pickett still in question because of injuries, McKee is a possibility to receive the start.  Eagles defensive tackle Thomas Booker received his first season start and had one tackle while playing 39 defensive snaps and five on special teams against the Giants. In 17 games this season, Booker had 18 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack in his second NFL season.

Los Angeles Rams kicker Joshua Karty has made his past 13 field-goal tries after going four-for-four in a 30-25 loss to visiting Seattle. Karty kicked field goals from 37, 58, 57, and 37 yards and converted his only extra-point try to account for 13 points. In his rookie season, Karty made 29 of 34 field-goal tries (85 percent) and 32 of 36 extra-point attempts. Karty is 6-of-7 from 50-plus yards this year. Rams tight end Colby Parkinson had one catch for six yards against the Seahawks. He played 26 offensive snaps and nine on special teams. In his first season with the Rams, the five-year veteran had a career-high 30 receptions, for 294 yards and scored a touchdown. He played all 17 games and made a career-high nine starts.

New England starting tight end Austin Hooper caught four passes for 27 yards in the Patriots’ 23-16 victory over visiting Buffalo. Hooper played 43 offensive snaps and two on special teams. In his first season with the Patriots and ninth in the league, Hooper made eight starts while playing all 17 games. He caught 45 passes for 476 yards and scored three touchdowns.

Buffalo defensive end Casey Toohill made his first start of the season and was in on a career-high six tackles against the Patriots. In his first season with the Bills and fifth overall, Toohill made 20 tackles with two tackles for loss. Against New England, Toohill played 47 defensive snaps and 21 on special teams. Buffalo, the AFC’s No. 2 seed, takes on Denver in the wild-card round.

Houston quarterback Davis Mills received his most extensive action of the season, relieving C.J. Stroud after the first series and playing the rest of the Texans’ 23-14 victory at Tennessee. Mills completed 12 of 22 passes for 128 yards and rushed three times for 11 yards. In four games, the fourth-year QB completed 20 of 36 passes for 212 yards.

Houston starting tight end Dalton Schultz caught three passes for 29 yards while playing 32 offensive snaps and one on special teams. The seven-year veteran caught 53 passes for 532 yards and two touchdowns for the AFC South champion.

Minnesota starting nose tackle Harrison Phillips made five tackles in the Vikings’ 31-9 loss at Detroit on Sunday night. Phillips played 54 defensive snaps. Phillips started all 17 games during his seventh NFL season extending a streak of consecutive regular-season starts to 56, dating back to his 2021 season with Buffalo. This season, Phillips had 55 tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Phillips is the Vikings’ nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

Atlanta starting center Drew Dalman played all 79 offensive snaps in the Falcons’ 44-38 loss to visiting Carolina on Sunday. Dalman started and played nine games, missing eight games with injury. He has started 40 games – every game he has played over the past three seasons of his four-year career.

Arizona starting tight end Elijah Higgins played 31 offensive snaps and 12 on special teams in the Cardinals’ 47-24 victory over visiting San Francisco. The second-year vet had career highs across the board – making six starts in 17 games with 20 catches for 172 yards and two touchdowns.

Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Foster Sarell played 13 defensive snaps and seven on special teams in a 34-20 victory at Las Vegas. The third-year vet played 11 games for the playoff-bound Chargers.

Chargers tight end Tucker Fisk played 26 offensive snaps and two on special teams. The second-year vet received his most extensive action to date, playing nine games and starting five in his first season with L.A. Fisk caught seven passes for 39 yards.

Las Vegas cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly made his first two tackles of the season while playing 14 defensive snaps against the Chargers. The second-year vet played in four games in his first season with the Raiders.

New York Jets defensive tackle Solomon Thomas recovered a fumble in a 32-20 victory over visiting Miami. The third-quarter recovery after a short pass led to a Jets field goal. He played 43 defensive snaps and four on special teams. For the season, the eight-year vet played 16 games and made one start. He had 3.5 sacks, 26 tackles, five tackles for loss, batted down two passes, forced a fumble, and recovered a fumble.

Miami punter Jake Bailey averaged 40.3 yards on three punts against the Jets. Bailey had a long of 53 and had one punt downed inside the 20, at the 16. Bailey also was the holder on placekicks. In his sixth NFL season, Bailey averaged 47.1 yards per punt and had a net of 40.7.

Dolphins cornerback Ethan Bonner was in on 13 plays against the Jets. The second-year vet played in a career-high five games and had one tackle and knocked down a pass.

Kansas City strong safety Justin Reid did not play. Reid, a key figure for the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs, rested as Kansas City already had sewn up the AFC’s No. 1 seed. Reid, who started all 16 previous games, had 87 tackles, broke up nine passes, had five tackles for loss and had two interceptions in his seventh NFL season.

Jacksonville offensive tackle Walker Little was inactive. In his fourth season, Little played in 15 games and started eight.

Las Vegas offensive guard Andrus Peat was inactive. In his first season with the Raiders, the 10-year vet played in 15 games and had one start.

Arizona receiver Michael Wilson was inactive. In his second season, Wilson had career highs in starts (13), receptions (47), and touchdowns (four). He gained 548 yards receiving in 16 games.

Carolina receiver Trenton Irwin was on the practice squad. He played seven games for Cincinnati and started two, catching three passes for 15 yards, before being waived. He was signed by the Panthers on December 10 and remained on the practice squad.

Washington receiver Brycen Tremayne was on the practice squad. He made his NFL debut this season and played two games, making one catch for minus-two yards.

Los Angeles Chargers strong safety Kendall Williamson was on the practice squad. Williamson made his NFL debut this season and combined for three tackles in two games.

Denver offensive tackle Cameron Fleming was on the practice squad. Fleming played in one game off the bench in his 11th NFL season.

New York Giants inside linebacker Bobby Okereke was on injured reserve. Okereke started all 12 games he played before being injured. He had 93 tackles, six tackles for loss, and two sacks in his sixth NFL season.

New Orleans cornerback Paulson Adebo was on injured reserve. The four-year veteran was on his way to a career season. He intercepted three passes and had 52 tackles in his first seven games before suffering a season-ending injury.

San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey, the 2023 NFL rushing and touchdown leader, was on injured reserve. In between stints on IR, the eight-year veteran rushed 50 times for 202 yards, and caught 15 passes for 146.

San Francisco linebacker Curtis Robinson was on injured reserve. A four-year veteran, Robinson made one tackle in three games.

Los Angeles Chargers receiver Simi Fehoko was on injured reserve. The four-year veteran had his best season before suffering an injury. He had career-highs in games (eight), starts (two), receptions (six), yards (106), first downs (six), and yards per catch (17.7).

Pittsburgh offensive guard Nate Herbig was on injured reserve. He did not play this season after five active seasons.

The following is the NFL Wild Card Round schedule (all times Pacific) involving Cardinal alums, including players on injured reserve and practice squads:

Saturday

Houston (Davis Mills, Dalton Schultz) at Los Angeles Chargers (Simi Fehoko, Tucker Fisk, Foster Sarell, Kendall Williamson), 1:30 p.m.

Baltimore at Pittsburgh (Nate Herbig), 5 p.m.

Sunday

Buffalo (Casey Toohill) at Denver (Cameron Fleming), 10 a.m.

Philadelphia (Thomas Booker, Tanner McKee) at Green Bay, 1:30 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Washington (Zach Ertz, Brycen Tremayne), 5 p.m.

Monday

Los Angeles Rams (Joshua Karty, Colby Parkinson) at Minnesota (Harrison Phillips), 5 p.m.

Bye

Kansas City (Justin Reid)