Irish in the NFL: Jerry Tillery records sack for second straight week
Jerry Tillery is doing his part to help the Los Angeles Chargers’ playoff push.
The third-year defensive tackle out of Notre Dame has set career highs in tackles (44), sacks (4.5) and starts (14) for the 9-7 Chargers, who hold the AFC’s last playoff spot heading into the final week of the regular season. Most recently, he has notched sacks in consecutive games. The most recent was a fourth-and-six takedown of Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock in a 34-13 Chargers victory.
Tillery’s season hasn’t been entirely smooth (nor has the Chargers’ 30th-ranked run defense). His 2019 and 2020 contained more bumps than desired for a first-round pick. He is, though, ending Year 3 with some needed positive momentum. First-year head coach Brandon Staley’s defensive scheme tweaks seem to have aided the cause.
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“He’s a work in progress as a player and we’re committed to him,” Staley said after Sunday’s game. “He’s going to continue to improve, because it means a lot to him. That transition for us has taken some time. He has played well this season. I want to make that very clear. He has played well for us this year. The challenge for him is to continue to do it to his standard every time he goes out there.”
Here’s a look at how Tillery and every other former Notre Dame player in the NFL this year fared in Week 17.
Aaron Banks (Played at Notre Dame from 2017-20), OG, San Francisco 49ers
Was on active roster for 49ers’ 23-7 win over Texans … Has been active in eight games for 9-7 San Francisco.
Alex Bars (2014-18), OL, Chicago Bears
Has been active for all 16 games, with three starts, for 6-10 Chicago … He earned the start in Bears’ 29-3 win over Giants because he was in on the first snap as an extra offensive lineman.
Ian Book (2016-20), QB, New Orleans Saints
Inactive for Saints’ 18-10 win over Carolina … Started in his only appearance this year for 8-8 New Orleans, completing 12 of 20 passes for 135 yards and two interceptions in a Dec. 27 loss to Miami.
Miles Boykin (2015-18), WR, Baltimore Ravens
Inactive for Ravens’ 20-19 loss to Rams … Was activated from injured reserve Oct. 11, and has made one catch for six yards in seven games for 8-8 Baltimore.
Chase Claypool (2016-19), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Caught three passes for 17 yards in Steelers’ 26-14 win over Cleveland … Has played in 14 of 16 games for the 8-7-1 Steelers, with 54 catches for 823 yards and one touchdown, plus 11 rushes for 63 yards.
Scott Daly (2012-15), LS, Detroit Lions
Served as the primary long snapper in Lion’s 51-29 loss to Seattle … Has been the long snapper in all 16 contests for the 2-13-1 Lions.
Sheldon Day (2012-15), DL, Cleveland Browns
Recorded two tackles and one pass breakup in Browns’ 26-14 loss to Pittsburgh … Has appeared in seven games for the 7-9 Browns, with one start, recording 20 tackles, 1.0 sacks and two passes defended.
Liam Eichenberg (2016-20), OL, Miami Dolphins
Started at left tackle in Dolphins’ 34-3 loss to Tennessee … Has played in all 16 contests for the 8-8 Dolphins, starting in 15.
Jalen Elliott (2016-19), S, Detroit Lions
Inactive for Lions’ 51-29 loss to Seattle … Has dressed for seven games, with one start, and recorded 11 tackles for the 2-13-1 Lions.
Matthias Farley (2011-15), S, Tennessee Titans
Did not record any stats in Titans’ 34-3 win over Miami… Has been active for all 16 games and notched 11 tackles and a forced fumble for 11-5 Tennessee.
Will Fuller V (2013-15), WR, Miami Dolphins
Was placed on injured reserve (chest/elbow) Oct. 6 and will not play again this year… Has played in just two games for the 8-8 Dolphins and made four receptions for 26 yards.
Alohi Gilman (2017-19), S, Los Angeles Chargers
Started and made five tackles in Chargers’ 34-13 win over Denver… Has played in 10 games with three starts for 9-7 Los Angeles, and compiled 34 tackles and one interception.
Robert Hainsey (2017-20), OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Was on active roster as a backup lineman for Bucs’ 28-24 win over Jets … Has appeared in eight games for 12-4 Tampa Bay.
Daelin Hayes (2016-20), DE, Baltimore Ravens
Played in one game with no stats recorded for 8-8 Baltimore before landing on injured reserve Sept. 27 due to an ankle injury. Activated before Week 16, but did not dress, and placed on IR again Jan. 1 due to a knee issue.
J.J. Jansen (2004-07), LS, Carolina Panthers
Long snapper in the Panthers’ 18-10 loss to New Orleans … Has served as the primary long snapper in all 16 games for 5-11 Carolina.
Jamir Jones (2016-19), DL, Jacksonville Jaguars
Made his Jaguars debut and tallied one tackle in 50-10 loss to New England … Waived by Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 25, claimed by Jacksonville two days later … Was waived by Pittsburgh Sept. 28 and picked up by the Rams the next day … Appeared in three games with one start for the Steelers and 10 games for the Rams … Has nine total tackles this season.
Tony Jones Jr. (2016-19), RB, New Orleans Saints
Had one carry for minus-2 yards in Saints’ 18-10 win over Carolina … Has appeared in 10 games with three starts for 8-8 Saints, compiling 47 carries for 120 yards and five catches for 29 yards.
Khalid Kareem (2016-19), DL, Cincinnati Bengals
Active but recorded no stats in Bengals’ 34-31 win over Chiefs… Spent the first seven weeks of the season on injured reserve, but has logged snaps in five games and made four tackles for the 10-6 Bengals.
Cole Kmet (2017-19), TE, Chicago Bears
Caught three passes for 25 yards in Bears’ 29-3 win over Giants … Has started all 16 games for the 6-10 Bears and notched 56 catches for 564 yards.
Tommy Kraemer (2016-20), OL, Detroit Lions
Started at right guard in Lions’ 51-29 loss to Seattle … Has played in eight games, with three starts, for the 2-13-1 Lions.
Julian Love (2016-18), CB, New York Giants
Had two tackles in Giants’ 29-3 loss to Chicago … Has started five games and appeared in all 16 for the 4-12 Giants, compiling 59 tackles, half a sack, seven passes defended and one interception.
Nick Martin (2011-15), C, Las Vegas Raiders
Active as reserve linemen for Raiders’ 23-20 win over Indianapolis… Has been active in all 16 games for the 9-7 Raiders, but has yet to start.
Zack Martin (2009-13), OG, Dallas Cowboys
Started at right guard in Dallas’ 25-22 loss to Arizona … Has started the last 15 games for the 11-5 Cowboys after missing Week 1 due to COVID.
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Nick McCloud (2020), CB, Buffalo Bills
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 games for 9-7 San Francisco.
Sam Mustipher (2014-18), C, Chicago Bears
Started at center in Bears’ 29-3 win over Giants … Has started all 16 games for the 6-10 Bears.
Quenton Nelson (2014-17), OG, Indianapolis Colts
Returned from reserve/COVID-19 list and started at left guard in Colts’ 23-20 loss to Raiders… Has started each of the 12 games he has appeared in for the 9-7 Colts.
Adetokunbo Ogundeji (2016-20), DE, Atlanta Falcons
Started and recorded no stats in Falcons’ 29-17 loss to Buffalo … Has appeared in 15 games, with 10 starts, for 7-9 Atlanta and compiled 28 tackles with 1.0 sack.
Julian Okwara (2016-19), LB, Detroit Lions
Made two tackles in Lions’ 51-29 loss to Seattle … Has appeared in 12 games for 2-13-1 Detroit, recording 21 tackles, 3.0 sacks and one interception.
Romeo Okwara (2012-15), LB, Detroit Lions
Suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 4 … Started the first four games of the season for the 2-13-1 Lions and recorded six tackles with 1.0 sack.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (2017-20), LB, Cleveland Browns
Recorded seven tackles in Browns’ 26-14 loss to Pittsburgh … Started 10 of the 13 games he has played in for the 7-9 Browns, and has recorded 68 tackles, four passes defended, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble.
Isaac Rochell (2013-16), DL, Indianapolis
Active but recorded no stats in Colts’ 23-20 loss to Las Vegas … Has contributed 13 tackles in 11 appearances for the 9-7 Colts.
Kyle Rudolph (2008-10), TE, New York Giants
Started but did not catch a pass in Giants’ 29-3 loss to Chicago … Has played in 15 contests and made 12 starts for 4-12 New York, and compiled 22 catches for 240 yards and one touchdown.
KeiVarae Russell (2012-15), DB, New Orleans Saints
Was waived by the 8-8 Saints Nov. 23 and signed to the practice squad Nov. 25.
Ben Skowronek (2020), WR, Los Angeles Rams
Caught two passes for 18 yards in Rams’ 20-19 win over Baltimore… Has appeared in 13 games with one start, and notched 11 catches for 133 yards for 13-4 Los Angeles.
Harrison Smith (2007-11), S, Minnesota Vikings
Made seven tackles in Vikings’ 37-10 loss to Green Bay … Has started each of the 14 games he has appeared in this season, compiling 93 tackles, three sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and seven passes defended for the 7-9 Vikings.
Jaylon Smith (2013-15), LB, New York Giants
Made seven tackles with one sack in Giants’ 29-3 loss to Chicago … Signed to New York’s 53-man roster Dec. 20 and has made 14 tackles in three games … Signed with the Packers Oct. 7, one day after being waived by Dallas … Played in two games and made one tackle for Green Bay, plus started two games and recorded 17 tackles (12 solo) for the Cowboys prior to being waived.
Durham Smythe (2013-17), TE, Miami Dolphins
Started and had three catches for 34 yards in Dolphins’ 34-3 loss to Tennessee … Has been active in all 16 games, with 11 starts, for 8-8 Miami, posting 32 receptions for 325 yards.
Equanimeous St. Brown (2015-17), WR, Green Bay Packers
Had one catch for 14 yards in Packers’ 37-10 win over Minnesota … Has appeared in 12 games (two starts), and compiled seven receptions for 76 yards and three rushing attempts for 14 yards for 13-3 Green Bay.
Ronnie Stanley (2012-15), OT, Baltimore Ravens
Was placed on injured reserve Oct. 19 due to an ankle injury he suffered in Week 1 … Played in one game before being sidelined and will miss the rest of the season.
Jerry Tillery (2015-18), DT, Los Angeles Chargers
Made four tackles with one sack in Chargers’ 34-13 win over Denver … Has started 14 of 15 games for 9-7 Los Angeles and compiled 44 tackles with 4.5 sacks.
Drue Tranquill (2014-18), LB, Los Angeles Chargers
Missed Chargers’ 34-13 win over Denver due to injury … Has appeared in 13 games with six starts for 9-7 Los Angeles and notched 69 tackles with 1.5 sacks and one pass defended.
Tommy Tremble (2018-20), TE, Carolina Panthers
Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list and missed Panthers’ 18-10 loss to New Orleans … Has appeared in 15 games and made 10 starts for the 5-11 Panthers, and compiled 18 catches for 173 yards and one touchdown … Also has two rushing attempts for seven yards and one score.
Stephon Tuitt (2011-13), DE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Has not played and is not expected to play again this season due to a knee injury suffered in training camp.
Brock Wright (2017-20), TE, Detroit Lions
Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list and missed Lions’ 51-29 loss to Seattle … Has made nine appearances (five starts) for the 2-13-1 Lions, with 10 catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.
