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Wolverines in the NFL: Mike Sainristil picks off Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy getting closer to return

clayton-sayfieby: Clayton Sayfie2 hours agoCSayf23
Mike Sainristil
Former Michigan Wolverines football cornerback Mike Sainristil is a starter for the Washington Commanders. (Photo by Amber Searls-Imagn Images)

Former Michigan Wolverines football cornerback Mike Sainristil delivered one of the most iconic moments in U-M history Jan. 8, 2024, picking off Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and returning it 81 yards to the Husky 8-yard line to set up a touchdown that essentially sealed the national championship, with the Maize and Blue going up 34-13.

Over 600 days later, Sainristil was at it again, picking off Penix for the Washington Commanders in a 34-27 loss to the Atlanta Falcons Sunday. Penix couldn’t get the ball over Sainristil in underneath coverage. He plucked the ball out of mid air and returned it 23 yards to set up a field goal.

Elsewhere in the NFC, the Minnesota Vikings fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, the first of their two-straight games overseas. They’ll play the Cleveland Browns in London this coming Sunday. Former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy isn’t slated to return from his injury just yet, but he’s nearing a return from a high ankle sprain suffered in his second career start, a loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

“As we get into Thursday and Friday, I’m hoping we can at least get him out there,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said Tuesday morning. “And get him taking some drops, and starting to get back into the normal rhythm.”

While replacement Carson Wentz was productive in his first start taking over for McCarthy and he threw for 350 yards and 2 touchdowns on 46 attempts against the Steelers, he tossed 2 interceptions and took 6 sacks.

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

AJ Barner (2023), TE, Seattle Seahawks

Reeled in 3 receptions for 32 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown, in a 23-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals … Made 7 grabs for 81 yards and 2 scores while starting all four games this year.

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

The former Michigan offensive lineman started at left guard in a 31-25 setback to the Philadelphia Eagles, the defending Super Bowl champions … Opened the first three games at center for the 3-1 Buccaneers … Has a 50.9 overall PFF grade with 9 pressures and a sack allowed this season.

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

Registered 9 tackles in a 34-10 loss to the Detroit Lions … Tallied 31 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 3 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble while opening all four games for the 1-3 Browns.

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

Rushed 12 times for 39 yards and a touchdown, adding 2 catches for 5 yards, in a 23-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals … Accumulated 96 yards and 2 touchdowns on 39 rush attempts and caught 2 passes for 5 yards in three appearances for the 3-1 Seahawks.

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

Hauled in 4 receptions for 79 yards in a 26-0 blowout win over the Tennessee Titans, marking the 1-3 Texans’ first victory of the season … Leads the team with 18 catches, 260 receiving yards and 2 touchdown grabs.

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

The former Michigan national champion rushed a season-high 9 times for 21 yards with 2 catches that went for minus-5 yards in a 27-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts … Amassed 120 yards and a score on 23 rush attempts in four games for the 3-1 Rams.

Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs

Missed the last two games with injury … Posted 2 tackles, including 1 for loss, in two starts.

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

Registered 4 tackles in a 40-40 tie with the Dallas Cowboys … Was his first game this season without a sack … Led the NFL with 4.5 sacks after three weeks and stands tied third after four weeks … Totaled 17 tackles, 4 stops for loss and 4.5 sacks while opening all four games for the 2-1-1 Packers.

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

Started at center in a 34-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns … Recorded a 57.5 overall PFF rating while starting all four games for the 3-1 Lions.

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

Had 1 hit on the quarterback in a 34-10 loss to the Detroit Lions … Tallied 11 tackles, 1 stop for loss and a half-sack while opening all four games for the 1-3 Browns.

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

The former Michigan defensive tackle made 1 stop in a 27-21 win over the New York Jets Monday night … Totaled 9 tackles and a pass breakup in four games with three starts for the 1-3 Dolphins, who picked up their first victory this week.

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

Didn’t record any stats in a 26-0 loss to the Houston Texans … Played in all four games, posting 4 tackles, for the 0-4 Titans.

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

Made 2 tackles in a 21-18 loss to the New York Giants … Returned 6 kicks for 141 yards (23.5-yard average) in four games for the 3-1 Chargers, adding 5 tackles.

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

The former Michigan standout posted 9 tackles and a pass breakup in a 28-3 loss to the Denver Broncos Monday night … Tallied 29 tackles, 1 stop for loss, 2 pass breakups and an interception while opening all four outings for the 2-2 Bengals.

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

Played on the field goal unit on special teams in each of the last two games, but lost his starting spot in week three … Appeared in all four contests with two starts for the 1-3 Giants, who beat the Chargers, 21-18, over the weekend.

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

The former Michigan defensive end registered 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and a forced fumble in a 34-10 triumph over the Cleveland Browns … He ranks tied third in the NFL with 23 pressures on the season, 7 of which came in last weekend’s victory over Cleveland … Totaled 8 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 4 sacks and 2 forced fumbles while starting all four games for the 3-1, first-place Detroit Lions.

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

The former Michigan defensive tackle posted 4 tackles in a 28-3 loss to the Denver Broncos … Amassed 15 tackles, including 1 for loss, along with 1.5 sacks in four appearances for the 2-2 Bengals.

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

Missed his second straight game with a groin injury … Tallied 4 tackles and 4 pass breakups in two contests for the 2-2 Cardinals.

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

Yet to make an appearance this season.

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

The former Michigan cornerback made 2 tackles in a 26-21 win over the San Francisco 49ers … Made 29 stops with 3 behind the line of scrimmage, 2 picks and 6 pass breakups while starting all four games for the 3-1 Jaguars … His 83.5 PFF coverage rating ranks tied second among NFL cornerbacks with 100-plus coverage snaps.

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

Missed Sunday’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders with a hip injury … Head coach Ben Johnson said the injury “doesn’t look super serious” … Caught 3 passes for 43 yards in three contests with two starts for the 2-2 Bears.

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

Missed the last two games with a high-ankle sprain, but is looking to be back at practice this week, perhaps even running some scout team … Completed 24 of his 41 pass attempts (58.5 percent) for 301 yards and 2 touchdowns with 3 interceptions, adding 7 carries for 50 yards and a score in two games.

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

The former Michigan national champion played but didn’t record any stats in a 27-21 loss to the Miami Dolphins … Posted 5 tackles in three games for the 0-4 Jets.

Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, Indianapolis Colts

Saw action but didn’t have any stats in a 27-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams … Registered 2 tackles in four appearances for the 3-1 Colts.

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

The former Michigan safety made 9 tackles, a season high, in a 24-21 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, Ireland … Recorded 23 tackles, 2 pass breakups and 1 interception while opening all four games for the 2-2 Vikings.

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

Didn’t play in a tie against the Green Bay Packers … Completed 3 of his 5 pass attempts for 41 yards with an interception in mop-up duty during a 31-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys Sept. 21, his only action of the season.

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

The former Michigan defensive lineman didn’t have any stats in a 23-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals … Made 7 tackles, including 1 for loss, in four games this season.

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

Placed on injured reserve before the last game, meaning he’ll miss at least four contests … Currently out with an ankle injury … Logged 11 special teams snaps in two games for the 0-4 Titans.

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

Notched 2 tackles in a 37-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs … his only stats on the season … Appeared in two games.

Olu Oluwatimi (2022), C, Seattle Seahawks

Played 27 offensive snaps on the season, appearing in two games … Didn’t play in week four.

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

The former Michigan offensive lineman started at right guard in a 42-13 win over the Carolina Panthers … Opened all four games at the same position for the 2-2 Patriots.

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

Posted a tackle in a 27-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams … Made 4 stops, including 1 for loss, and 1 sack in four contests for the 3-1 Colts.

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

Saw time on special teams in a 24-21 win over the Minnesota Vikings … Has appeared in three games, including notching one start on defense, for the 3-1 Steelers.

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

The former Michigan offensive lineman started a 31-19 loss to the Buffalo Bills … Went down with an ankle injury and is expected to miss four to six weeks … Started the first four contests for the 0-4 Saints.

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

Started all four games at left guard for the 1-3 Giants, including this weekend’s 21-18 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers … Recorded a 52.7 overall PFF rating on the year.

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

The former Michigan wide receiver and defensive back made 7 tackles and an interception with a 23-yard return in a 34-27 loss to the Atlanta Falcons … Started all four games for the 2-2 Commanders, recording 20 tackles.

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

Hauled in 2 catches for 8 yards in a 40-40 tie with the Green Bay Packers … Made 3 catches for 13 yards in four outings.

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

Made his first tackle of the season in a 40-40 wie with the Green Bay Packers … Appeared in two contets.

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

The former Michigan and Minnesota defensive back made a tackle and a pass breakup in a 21-18 setback to the New York Giants … Appeared in all four contests off the bench, recording 6 tackles with 2 pass breakups for the 3-1 Chargers.

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

The former Michigan EDGE made a tackle in a 27-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts … Registered 3 tackles, 1 TFL and 1 sack in four outings off the bench for the 3-1 Rams.

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

Posted 4 tackles in a 28-3 loss to the Denver Broncos … Tallied 10 tackles, 1 interception and 5 pass breakups in four appearances with three starts for the 2-2 Bengals.

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

Tallied 4 tackles in a 31-25 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneeers … Totaled 10 stops on the year in four games for the 4-0 Eagles.

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

Suffered a season-ending knee injury on the opening kickoff of the first game of the NFL season Sept. 5.

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

The former Michigan long snapped snapped 9 times in a 28-3 setback to the Denver Broncos … Made 2 tackles in four games this year.

Josh Wallace (2023), CB, Los Angeles Rams

Competed on special teams, logging 15 snaps, in a 27-20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts … Appeared in four games for the 3-1 Rams.

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

No catches in a 24-21 win over the Minnesota Vikings … Caught 1 pass for 7 yards in four tilts for the 3-1 Steelers.

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

Yet to appear in a game this season.