Table of Content
Week 8 brought a mix of milestone returns, season-ending injuries, and bye weeks for former Minnesota Golden Gophers playing in the NFL. While players like Eric Murray unfortunately lost their season to injury, others such as Antoine Winfield Jr. and Terell Smith made their much-anticipated returns to the gridiron.
Arizona Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens
Jack Gibbons logged 57 defensive snaps and five on special teams during the Cardinals’ overtime victory against Dallas. He led Arizona with 11 tackles, three solo, and allowed three catches on four targets for 12 yards. Meanwhile, Rashod Bateman featured in 39 snaps for the Ravens in their loss to Buffalo, catching one pass for 22 yards on three targets.
Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys
Boye Mafe played 60 defensive snaps in the Bengals’ overtime win against Tennessee, recording four solo tackles including a sack on Cam Ward, alongside a quarterback hit and a forced fumble. For Dallas, Brevin Span-Ford stepped into the primary tight end role during the overtime loss to Arizona, playing 65 offensive and 14 special teams snaps while catching four passes for 31 yards and adding a special teams tackle.
Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, and Indianapolis Colts
Benjamin St. Juste returned to the field for Green Bay after a four-week absence, playing nine special teams snaps without recording a statistic in a win over Carolina. Aireontae Ersery and the Houston Texans were on a bye week. In Indianapolis, Justin Walley sat out against the Jaguars due to a knee injury sustained against the Vikings in Week 7.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Eric Murray suffered an elbow injury on the opening kickoff and was placed on injured reserve, bringing his season to an end. Daniel Faalele saw action on 10 offensive snaps and six special teams plays in the blowout victory over the Colts. Danny Striggow contributed 26 defensive snaps and six special teams plays in the same win, finishing with one solo tackle for a loss.
Las Vegas Raiders and Minnesota Vikings
Cody Lindenberg appeared on 18 special teams snaps during the Raiders’ win over the Jets, though he did not record any statistics. For the Vikings, Max Brosmer served as the third-string quarterback and did not play. Blake Cashman logged 71 snaps in a loss to Buffalo, recording 10 tackles—five solo, one for a loss—and giving up two receptions for 18 yards, alongside a crucial missed tackle on a late run by Jahmyr Gibbs.
New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, and Pittsburgh Steelers
Jordan Howden, John-Michael Schmitz, and Tyler Nubin enjoyed a bye week with the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants. In Pittsburgh, Terell Smith made his Steelers debut by playing 12 special teams snaps and recording one tackle. Kyler Baugh and Esezi Otomewo remained on the practice squad and were not called up.
Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Deven Eastern stayed on the Seattle practice squad, while teammate Nick Kallerup played four offensive snaps and seven special teams snaps in a loss to the Bears without recording a stat. For Tampa Bay, Ko Kieft logged 10 special teams snaps in a victory. Antoine Winfield Jr. made his return from a rib injury, playing 51 defensive snaps and one on special teams to finish with seven tackles, five solo, while allowing two catches for seven yards on three targets.
