Irish in the NFL: Several former Notre Dame players advance in playoffs

Seven former Notre Dame players were on 53-man rosters for the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs, with two more on teams that earned a bye to the Divisional Round.

Four are moving on after wins.

Guard Aaron Banks was on the active roster for the NFC No. 6 seed San Francisco 49ers’ road win over the No. 3 seed Dallas Cowboys Sunday. Interior offensive lineman Robert Hainsey was active for the NFC No. 2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Sunday victory over the No. 7 Philadelphia Eagles.

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Defensive end Khalid Kareem saw action in the AFC No. 4 Cincinnati Bengals’ Saturday defeat of the No. 5 Las Vegas Raiders. Finally, wide receiver Ben Skowronek played in the NFC No. 4 Los Angeles Rams’ blowout of the No. 5 Arizona Cardinals Monday night.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown and Tennessee Titans safety Matthias Farley were on the two teams that had byes. The Packers host the 49ers Jan. 22 while the Titans play the Bengals the same day.

Additionally, two others ex-Irish players were on injured reserve with playoff teams and one was a protected practice squad member. Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt suffered a season-ending injury in training camp, and 49ers tackle Mike McGlinchey tore his quad in Week 9.

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Cornerback Nick McCloud is on the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad and advanced with his team to a Jan. 23 game at No. 2 Kansas City by beating No. 6 New England Saturday night.

Here’s a roundup of how every former Notre Dame player fared on Wild Card Weekend.

Aaron Banks (Played at Notre Dame from 2017-20), OG, San Francisco 49ers

On the active roster as a reserve lineman for the 49ers’ 23-17 win over Dallas, seeing time on special teams … Was active in nine regular-season games for 10-7 San Francisco.

Chase Claypool (2016-19), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Caught three passes for 25 yards in the AFC No. 7 seed Steelers’ 42-21 loss at Kansas City … Played in 15 of 17 regular-season games for 9-7-1 Pittsburgh, with 59 catches for 860 yards and two touchdowns, plus 14 rushes for 96 yards.

Matthias Farley (2011-15), S, Tennessee Titans

Did not play with the Titans on bye after securing the No. 1 seed in the AFC … Active for all 17 regular-season games and notched 13 tackles and a forced fumble for 12-5 Tennessee.

Robert Hainsey (2017-20), OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Was on active roster as a backup lineman for Bucs’ 31-15 win over Philadelphia … Appeared in nine regular-season games for 13-4 Tampa Bay.

Khalid Kareem (2016-19), DL, Cincinnati Bengals

Played 29 defensive snaps but recorded no stats in Bengals’ 26-19 win over Las Vegas … Spent the first seven weeks of the season on injured reserve, but logged snaps in seven regular-season games (one start) and made eight tackles with one forced fumble for 10-7 Cincinnati.

Nick Martin (2011-15), C, Las Vegas Raiders

Active as reserve linemen but did not see time on offense in Raiders’ 26-19 loss to Bengals … Active in all 17 regular-season games for 10-7 Las Vegas, but did not start.

Zack Martin (2009-13), OG, Dallas Cowboys

Started at right guard in Dallas’ 23-17 loss to San Francisco … Started the last 16 regular-season games for the 12-5 Cowboys after missing Week 1 due to COVID … Named a first-team All-Pro Friday for the fifth time in his eight-year career.

Nick McCloud (2020), CB, Buffalo Bills

Was not elevated from practice squad for Bills’ 47-17 win over New England … Signed to the Bills’ practice squad Nov. 8 … Was waived by Cincinnati Nov. 2 after seeing action in two games.

Mike McGlinchey (2013-17), OT, San Francisco 49ers

Suffered a season-ending torn quad injury during the 49ers’ 31-17 home loss to Arizona in Week 9 … Started the first eight regular-season games for 10-7 San Francisco.

Ben Skowronek (2020), WR, Los Angeles Rams

Downed a punt at the one-yard line in Rams’ 34-11 win over Arizona, but left with a back injury after playing 22 total snaps (seven offense, 15 special teams) … Appeared in 14 regular-season games with one start, and notched 11 catches for 133 yards for 12-5 Los Angeles … Also made eight tackles on special teams.

Equanimeous St. Brown (2015-17), WR, Green Bay Packers

Did not play with the Packers on bye as the NFC’s No. 1 seed … Appeared in 13 regular-season games (two starts), and compiled nine receptions for 97 yards and three rushing attempts for 14 yards for 13-4 Green Bay.

Stephon Tuitt (2011-13), DE, Pittsburgh Steelers

Did not play in the regular season or in the Steelers’ 42-21 Wild Card round loss to Kansas City due to a knee injury suffered in training camp.