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Wolverines in the NFL: Edge rushers dominating, J.J. McCarthy back from injury, Roman Wilson breaks out

clayton-sayfieby: Clayton Sayfie10 hours agoCSayf23
Rashan Gary
Former Michigan Wolverines football edge rusher Rashan Gary had 7.5 sacks through seven games in 2025. (Photo by Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

Former Michigan Wolverines football edge rushers are having big seasons in the NFL, none more notable than Rashan Gary with the Green Bay Packers.

Playing opposite of trade addition Micah Parsons has done wonders for his production, with Gary already matching his sack total from last season (7.5) through only seven contests. He’s currently fifth in the NFL — ahead of Parsons (6.5) and on pace to have 18 sacks in the regular season. Gary has never had more than 9 sacks in a season during his career, which has spanned seven campaigns.

Gary is coming off his second 2-sack performance of the season, doing so on the national stage in a 35-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday night.

Former Michigan defensive end Mike Danna, meanwhile, had an interception and a sack in a 28-7 win over the Washington Commanders Monday night. Danna said his pick was the first of his career at any level. The sack was the first of his season.

Elsewhere in the NFL, former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy is back healthy and ready to take over as the Minnesota Vikings’ starter. McCarthy was dealing with a high-ankle sprain after starting the first two games of the season.

Backup Carson Wentz filled in for McCarthy but suffered a season-ending injury (torn labrum and fractured socket caused by a dislocation), meaning it’s back to being McCarthy’s show.

The Vikings will take on the Lions Sunday, Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. at Ford Field in Detroit, not far from where McCarthy played his college football at Michigan.

One of McCarthy’s top targets in college, Roman Wilson, is finally breaking out for the Pittsburgh Steelers, after injuries set him back as a rookie in 2024. Wilson had just 1 catch in the first four games but has reeled in 7 grabs for 103 yards and a touchdown over the last three.

Wilson had a 45-yard reception and scored the first touchdown of his career in a 35-25 setback to Gary’s Packers Sunday night.

“Just working hard and really listening, showing up at practice and proving myself,” Wilson said of his emergence.”

Here’s a look at how every former Michigan player in the NFL performed in week eight:

AJ Barner (2023), TE, Seattle Seahawks

Had a bye over the weekend … Caught 18 passes for 212 yards and 4 touchdowns on 22 targets while starting all seven games for the 5-2 Seahawks.

Ben Bredeson (2016-19), OG, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The former Michigan two-time captain opened a 23-3 win over New Orleans at left guard … Posted a 51.9 overall PFF rating with a season-worst 4 pressures allowed … Has a 51.1 PFF grade for the year … Started all seven games this season.

Devin Bush (2016-18), LB, Cleveland Browns

The former Michigan All-American recorded 6 tackles, 1 pass breakup and a fumble recovery in a 32-13 setback to the New England Patriots … Started all eight tilts for the 2-6 Browns, tallying 58 tackles, 4 stops for loss, 1 sack, 4 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery.

Zach Charbonnet (2019-20), RB, Seattle Seahawks

Had a bye … Attempted 72 rushes for 205 yards and 5 touchdowns, adding 6 receptions for 36 yards … His 5 rushing scores are the second-most he’s had in three seasons in the league, trailing the 8 he posted in 2024.

Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans

Suffered a concussion last week and didn’t play in Houston’s 26-15 win over the San Francisco 49ers … Leads the 3-4 Texans with 339 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns on 26 receptions.

Blake Corum (2020-23), RB, Los Angeles Rams

Had a bye … Attempted 41 rushes for 193 yards and a touchdown for the 5-2 Rams.

Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs

Recorded his first career interception in a 28-7 win over the Washington Commanders Monday night, adding 3 tackles, 1 TFL and 1 sack with a pass breakup … Opened all six games in which he’s played for the 5-3 Chiefs, totaling 10 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack and 1 interception.

Rashan Gary (2016-18), DL, Green Bay Packers

The former Michigan defensive lineman had his second multi-sack game of his season in a 35-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, racking up 2 … Added 4 tackles and 2 tackles for loss in the win … For the season, he’s tallied 24 tackles, 7 TFL, 1 forced fumble and 7.5 sacks … His 7.5 sacks through seven games have already matched his season total in 17 appearances a year ago.

Graham Glasgow (2012-15), OL, Detroit Lions

Had a bye … Started all seven contests at center for the 5-2 Lions.

Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles

Reinstated to the team after coming out of retirement but did not play over the weekend … The Eagles are on a bye this weekend.

Mason Graham (2022-24), DT, Cleveland Browns

The former Michigan All-American posted 1 pass breakup in a 32-13 setback to the New England Patriots … Has 17 tackles, 2 TFL, a half-sack and 2 pass breakups while starting all eight contests for the 2-6 Browns.

Kenneth Grant (2022-24), DT, Miami Dolphins

Didn’t record any stats in a 34-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons … Registered 17 tackles, 2 TFL, 1.5 sacks and a pass breakup in eight appearances with three starts for the 2-6 Dolphins.

Jaylen Harrell (2020-23), OLB, Tennessee Titans

The Michigan national champion had a tackle in a 38-14 loss to the Indianapolis Colts … Totaled 9 stops in eight appearances for the 1-7 Titans.

Hassan Haskins (2018-21), RB, Los Angeles Chargers

Missed Thursday night’s win over the Minnesota Vikings with a hamstring injury … Rushed 12 times for 30 yards and caught 4 passes for 13 yards in seven games for the 5-3 Chargers … Returned 6 kicks with a 23.5-yard average.

Dax Hill (2019-21), CB, Cincinnati Bengals

Tallied 5 tackles in a 39-38 loss to the New York Jets … Started all eight games for the 3-5 Bengals, recording 51 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 pass breakups and 1 interception.

James Hudson III (2017-18), OT, New York Giants

Didn’t see game action in a 38-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles … Appeared in six games with two starts at left tackle for the 2-6 Giants.

Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DL, Detroit Lions

Had a bye … Ranks tied seventh in the NFL with 6 sacks, adding 16 tackles, 6 TFL, 4 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery and a pass breakup while starting all seven games for the 5-2 Lions.

Kris Jenkins (2020-23), DT, Cincinnati Bengals

The Michigan national champion didn’t have any stats in a 39-38 loss to the New York Jets … Tallied 22 tackles, 2 stops for loss and 1.5 sacks in eight appearances with two starts for the 3-5 Bengals.

Will Johnson (2022-24), CB, Arizona Cardinals

Had a bye … Appeared in five games with three starts, posting 13 tackles and 5 pass breakups. His 70.5 PFF coverage grade ranks tied 21st among NFL cornerbacks and stands second among rookies at the position (minimum 100 coverage snaps).

Trevor Keegan (2019-23), OG, Dallas Cowboys

Appeared in two games this season … Played 6 snaps at left guard and 12 on special teams (field goal team).

Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Had a bye … Registered 29 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 quarterback hit, 2 interceptions, 8 pass breakups and a fumble recovery while opening all seven contests for the 4-3 Jaguars … His 70.4 PFF coverage grade checks in 23rd among NFL corners.

Colston Loveland (2022-24), TE, Chicago Bears

The former Michigan standout recorded 3 catches for a career-high 38 yards in a 30-16 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens … Hauled in 11 grabs for 116 yards on 18 targets this season, playing in six games with four starts for the 4-3 Bears.

J.J. McCarthy (2021-23), QB, Minnesota Vikings

Set to start the remainder of the season for the Minnesota Vikings, now that he’s healthy and replacement Carson Wentz is out for the year with an injury … McCarthy was recovering from a high-ankle sprain … Completed 24 of 41 passes for 301 yards and 2 touchdowns with 3 interceptions in two games, going 1-1 as the starter.

Braiden McGregor (2020-23), EDGE, New York Jets

Helping the Jets notch their first win of the season, McGregor posted 1 tackle in a 39-38 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals … Totaled 10 stops with 1 for loss and 1 sack to go along with a pass breakup in seven appearances.

Joshua Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings

Made 6 tackles and his second interception of the season in a 37-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers … Recorded 41 tackles, 1 TFL, a half-sack, 2 interceptions and 4 pass breakups while opening all seven outings for the 3-4 Vikings.

Joe Milton III (2018-20), QB, Dallas Cowboys

Completed 3 of his 4 passes for 58 yards and a touchdown in a 44-24 loss to the Denver Broncos … Appeared in two games on the season, connecting on 6 of his 9 throws for 99 yards and a score … Now has 2 career passing touchdowns.

Jake Moody (2018-22), K, Chicago Bears

Back on the Bears’ practice squad after starter Cairo Santos returned to action … Let go by the San Francisco 49ers early in the season but went 8-of-9 on field goals in two games with the Bears.

Mike Morris (2019-22), DE, Seattle Seahawks

Had a bye … Morris has registered 9 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 quarterback hit and a pass breakup on 82 defensive snaps in seven appearances.

Kalel Mullings (2020-24), RB, Tennessee Titans

Played in two games but is currently on injured reserve (ankle).

David Ojabo (2019-21), OLB, Baltimore Ravens

The former Michigan All-American recorded 3 tackles in a 30-16 triumph over the Chicago Bears … Made 5 tackles in as many appearances for the 2-5 Ravens.

Olu Oluwatimi (2022), C, Seattle Seahawks

Appeared in two contests this year but not since Sept. 21.

Mike Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots

Started at right guard in a 32-13 win over the Cleveland Browns, grading out at 47.3 overall by PFF, allowing 2 pressures … Recorded a 67.3 overall PFF rating for the season, opening all eight games at right guard.

Kwity Paye (2017-20), DE, Indianapolis Colts

The former Michigan standout recorded 2 tackles in a 38-14 win over the Tennessee Titans … Tallied 14 tackles, 4 TFL and 3 sacks in eight appearances with seven starts for the 7-1 Colts.

Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), S, Pittsburgh Steelers

Recorded no stats in a 35-25 loss to the Green Bay Packers … Tallied 8 tackles in six games with one start this season.

Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), C/G, New Orleans Saints

The former Michigan offensive lineman has started all seven clashes in which he’s competed for the 1-7 Saints, playing right guard … Posted a 62.1 overall PFF grade with 1 sack allowed in a 23-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the weekend.

Jon Runyan (2016-19), OG, New York Giants

The former Michigan offensive lineman posted a 49.3 overall PFF grade with 4 pressures given up in a 38-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles … Graded out at 52.7 overall by PFF for the season, starting all eight games at left guard for the 2-6 Giants.

Mike Sainristil (2019-23), CB, Washington Commanders

Recorded 4 tackles in a 28-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs Monday night … Totaled 39 tackles, 6 pass breakups and 2 interceptions in eight games with six starts for the 3-4 Commanders.

Luke Schoonmaker (2018-22), TE, Dallas Cowboys

Caught 2 passes for 25 yards with a 14-yard long in a 44-24 loss to the Denver Broncos … Appeared in eight games with three starts, hauling in 7 receptions for 49 yards.

Mazi Smith (2019-22), DT, Dallas Cowboys

Made a tackle in a 44-24 loss to the Denver Broncos … Totaled 3 tackles in five games for the 3-4-1 Cowboys.

Benjamin St-Juste (2017-18), CB, Los Angeles Chargers

Exploded for a season-high 7 tackles in a 37-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings Thursday night … The former Michigan and Minnesota defensive back has made 21 tackles, 5 pass breakups and an interception in eight games with two starts for the 5-3 Chargers.

Josaiah Stewart (2023-24), OLB, Los Angeles Rams

Had a bye … Posted 8 tackles, 2 TFL, 4 quarterback hits, 2 sacks and 2 pass breakups while coming off the bench in all seven games.

DJ Turner II (2019-22), CB, Cincinnati Bengals

The former Michigan cornerback recorded 3 tackles, including 1 for loss, in a 39-38 loss to the New York Jets … Tallied 19 tackles, an NFL-best 13 pass breakups, 2 interceptions and 2 tackles for loss in eight games with seven starts.

Joshua Uche (2016-19), OLB, Philadelphia Eagles

Registered 1 tackle and 1 pass breakup in a 38-20 victory over the New York Giants … Recorded 17 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack and 1 pass breakup in eight bench appearances for the 6-2 Eagles.

Ben VanSumeren (2018-20), FB, Philadelphia Eagles

Suffered season-ending injury week one.

William Wagner (2019-24), LS, Cincinnati Bengals

Snapped in all eight outings, including nine times in a 39-38 loss to the New York Jets.

Josh Wallace (2023), CB, Los Angeles Rams

Bye week … Compiled 4 tackles in seven games.

Roman Wilson (2020-23), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Had a career performance with 4 catches for 74 yards and a touchdown in a 35-25 loss to the Green Bay Packers Sunday night … Has 8 catches for 110 yards and 1 touchdown in seven games with two starts for the 4-3 Steelers.

Zak Zinter (2020-23), OG, Cleveland Browns

Appeared in just one game this season, an Oct. 19 win over the Miami Dolphins.