Notre Dame in the NFL, Week 4: Peyton Manning has praise for Ben Skowronek’s work at fullback

On3 imageby:Patrick Engel10/04/22

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The commendations for former Notre Dame wide receiver Ben Skowronek’s work as the Los Angeles Rams part-time fullback hit another level in a Monday Night Football loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Skowronek’s latest endorsers are none other than the Manning brothers.

The Rams lined up Skowronek at fullback in the I-formation for a fourth-and-1 play in the second half of their 24-9 defeat. Peyton Manning, on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli,” called for the Rams to run behind Skowronek. Rams head coach and play caller Sean McVay had the same idea, calling for Skowronek to be running back Cam Akers’ lead blocker on the play. Akers crossed the line to gain without being touched on what ended up as a 3-yard run.

The play prompted Manning to get bold.

“I’m voting for Skowronek for the Pro Bowl,” Manning said.

Skowronek, a 2021 seventh-round pick, had a similar play in the Rams’ Week 3 win over the Cardinals. He was Akers’ lead blocker again and stood up a linebacker to clear the way for a 14-yard touchdown.

The Rams told Skowronek of their plan to use him at fullback ahead of Week 2. He has logged 34 snaps in the backfield and 10 as an in-line tight end over the past three games, per Pro Football Focus. He has lined up at receiver 174 times this season.

“When we brought this up to him, he was so geared up, he was so jacked up to be able to do some of the things that we’re asking him to do,” Rams offensive coordinator Liam Coen said. “Then you saw him be able to come alive in the pass game as well. So you create a conflict. You create a different, another gap in the run game. Which way is it going when you do get them into the “I-formation”, you do create some conflict which way the lead of the run is going.

“You can create some split flow. It just creates some different looks for the defense, especially when you’re in your normal 11 personnel grouping. Then we’ve been able to activate him in the pass game.”

Skowronek caught 2 passes for 33 yards in Monday’s loss. He left in the second half due to an apparent injury, but returned after missing only one series. He has 12 catches for 140 yards this season.

Here’s a recap of the rest of the Week 4 action from the 40-plus Notre Dame players with an NFL team this year.

Kevin Austin Jr. (Played at Notre Dame from 2018-21), WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Signed to the Jaguars’ practice squad after being released during final preseason roster cuts and has not appeared in a game.

Aaron Banks (2017-20), OG, San Francisco 49ers

Started at left guard in the 49ers’ 24-9 win over the Rams, allowing 2 pressures … Has started four games for 2-2 San Francisco, allowing 6 quarterback pressures with 0 sacks and posting a 69.4 Pro Football Focus overall grade.

Alex Bars (2014-18), OL, Las Vegas Raiders

Signed to active roster from practice squad Oct. 1 and started at left guard in the Raiders’ 32-23 win over the Broncos, allowing 3 pressures and posting a PFF grade of 42.0 … Has appeared in three games with two starts for 1-3 Raiders, allowing 5 pressures.

Ian Book (2016-20), QB, Philadelphia Eagles

Inactive for the Eagles’ 29-21 win over the Jaguars … Has not appeared in a game this season for 4-0 Philadelphia.

Miles Boykin (2015-18), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Played 5 offensive snaps and 15 snaps on special teams in the Steelers’ 24-20 loss to the Jets … Has 5 tackles on special teams (62 special teams snaps) and 1 target on offense in four games for 1-3 Pittsburgh.

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

Started but caught 0 passes and did not record a carry in the Steelers’ 24-20 loss to the Jets … Has 11 catches for 79 yards and 7 carries for 47 yards in four games for 1-3 Pittsburgh.

Scott Daly (2012-15), LS, Detroit Lions

Was the primary long snapper in the Lions’ 48-45 loss to the Seahawks and recovered a fumble … Has played four games for 1-3 Detroit.

Liam Eichenberg (2016-20), OL, Miami Dolphins

Started at left guard in the Dolphins’ 27-15 loss to the Bengals, allowing 3 pressures … Has started four games for 3-1 Miami, allowing 1 sack and 11 quarterback pressures with a PFF grade of 33.7.

Matthias Farley (2011-15), S, Las Vegas Raiders

Played 25 special teams snaps and made 1 tackle in the Raiders’ 32-23 win over the Broncos … Has 2 tackles in four games for 1-3 Las Vegas and has played 77 special teams snaps.

Alohi Gilman (2017-19), S, Los Angeles Chargers

Played 12 defensive snaps and 19 special teams snaps in the Chargers’ 34-24 win over the Texans, making one tackle … Has 3 tackles in four games for 2-2 Chargers.

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

Started at center in the Bucs’ 41-31 loss to the Chiefs, allowing 1 pressure … Has started four games for 2-2 Tampa Bay, allowing 0 sacks and 5 quarterback pressures with a PFF grade of 66.1.

Kyle Hamilton (2019-21), S, Baltimore Ravens

Played 16 defensive snaps and 21 special teams snaps with 0 tackles and was not targeted in coverage in the Ravens’ 23-20 loss to the Bills … Has 10 tackles, 1 pass broken up and 1 forced fumble in four games for 2-2 Baltimore.

Daelin Hayes (2016-20), DE, Baltimore Ravens

Waived/injured by the 2-2 Ravens at final cuts and placed on injured reserve.

Kurt Hinish (2017-21), DT, Houston Texans

Played 27 snaps with 0 tackles in the Texans’ 34-24 loss to the Chargers … Has appeared in three games (91 total snaps) with no tackles for 0-3-1 Houston.

J.J. Jansen (2004-07), LS, Carolina Panthers

Was the long snapper in the Panthers’ 26-16 loss to the Cardinals … Has played four games for 1-3 Carolina.

Jamir Jones (2016-19), DL, Pittsburgh Steelers

Made 1 tackle in the Steelers’ 24-20 loss to the Jets … Has appeared in four games with 6 tackles and 1 pass broken up for 1-3 Pittsburgh.

Tony Jones Jr. (2016-19), RB, New Orleans Saints

Inactive for Saints’ 28-25 loss to the Vikings in London … Has played two games for 1-3 New Orleans, with 2 carries for 8 yards and 2 catches for 12 yards.

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

Placed on injured reserve Sept. 1 with hamstring injury and has not played this season … Eligible to be activated any week after his IR stint required him to miss the first four games of the season for the 2-2 Bengals.

Cole Kmet (2017-19), TE, Chicago Bears

Started and caught 3 passes for 16 yards in the Bears’ 20-12 loss to the Giants … Has started four games for 2-2 Chicago, with 5 catches for 56 yards.

Tommy Kraemer (2016-20), OL, Detroit Lions

Placed on injured reserve with a back injury Sept. 15 and cannot return until Week 7 … Has not appeared in a game for 1-3 Detroit this season.

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Julian Love (2016-18), S, New York Giants

Started and made 2 tackles in the Giants’ 20-12 win over the Bears … Has made 29 tackles with 1 sack in four games for 3-1 New York.

Nick Martin (2011-15), C, Washington Commanders

Started at center in the Commanders’ 25-10 loss to the Cowboys, allowing 2 pressures … Has played one game for 1-3 Washington … Signed with the Commanders Sept. 20 … Released from New Orleans Saints practice squad Sept. 10 … Spent training camp with New Orleans.

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

Started at right guard in the Cowboys’ 25-10 win over the Commanders, allowing 1 pressure … Has started four games for 3-1 Dallas, allowing 4 pressures and earning a PFF grade of 72.0.

Nick McCloud (2020), CB, New York Giants

Inactive for the Giants’ 20-12 win over the Bears … Has played in one game and totaled 2 tackles for 3-1 New York.

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

Started at right tackle in the 49ers’ 24-9 win over the Rams, allowing 0 pressures … Has started four games for 2-2 San Francisco, with 1 sack and 5 pressures allowed and a PFF grade of 71.0.

Sam Mustipher (2014-18), C, Chicago Bears

Started at center and allowed 1 sack and 6 pressures in the Bears’ 20-12 loss to the Giants … Has played in four games (four starts) for 2-2 Chicago, with 8 pressures allowed and a PFF grade of 53.2.

Quenton Nelson (2014-17), OG, Indianapolis Colts

Started at left guard and allowed 1 sack and 2 pressures in the Colts’ 24-17 loss to the Titans … Has started four games for 1-2-1 Indianapolis, allowing 2 sacks and 4 pressures with a PFF grade of 68.1.

Adetokunbo Ogundeji (2016-20), DE, Atlanta Falcons

Started and made 2 tackles in the Falcons’ 23-20 win over the Browns … Has played in four games (four starts) with 12 tackles and 1 sack for 2-2 Atlanta.

Julian Okwara (2016-19), LB, Detroit Lions

Made 1 tackle in 9 defensive snaps in the Lions’ 48-45 loss to the Seahawks … Has played three games with 3 tackles for 1-3 Detroit.

Romeo Okwara (2012-15), LB, Detroit Lions

Placed on reserve/physically unable to perform list Aug. 23 and will miss at least the first four games of the season … Still rehabbing from torn Achilles suffered in Week 4 of the 2021 season.

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (2017-20), LB, Cleveland Browns

Started and made 7 tackles with 1 pass broken up in the Browns’ 23-20 loss to the Falcons … Has totaled 21 tackles, 1 pass broken up and 1 forced fumble in four games (four starts) for 2-2 Cleveland.

Isaac Rochell (2013-16), DL, Cleveland Browns

Started and made 4 tackles in the Browns’ 23-20 loss to the Falcons … Has played in three games (one start) for 2-2 Cleveland, with 8 tackles … Began the season on the practice squad and was signed to the 53-man roster Sept. 21.

Kyle Rudolph (2008-10), TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Inactive for the Buccaneers’ 41-31 loss to the Chiefs … Has been active for one game for 2-2 Tampa Bay, making 1 catch for 12 yards.

Ben Skowronek (2020), WR, Los Angeles Rams

Started and made 2 catches for 33 yards in the Rams’ 24-9 loss to the 49ers … Has 12 catches for 140 yards in four games (four starts) for 2-2 Los Angeles.

Harrison Smith (2007-11), S, Minnesota Vikings

Started and made 6 tackles in the Vikings’ 28-25 win over the Saints … Has made 26 tackles with 1 interception in three games (three starts) for 3-1 Minnesota.

Jaylon Smith (2013-15), LB, New York Giants

Made 7 tackles in the Giants’ 20-12 win over the Bears … Has appeared in one game for 3-1 New York, with those same stats … Signed to New York’s practice squad Sept. 19 and was signed to the active roster Oct. 1.

Durham Smythe (2013-17), TE, Miami Dolphins

Started but did not catch a pass in the Dolphins’ 27-15 loss to the Bengals … Has started four games for 3-1 Miami and made 5 catches for 42 yards.

Equanimeous St. Brown (2015-17), WR, Chicago Bears

Started but did not catch a pass in the Bears’ 20-12 loss to the Giants … Has 4 catches for 77 yards and a touchdown in four games (all starts) for 2-2 Chicago.

Ronnie Stanley (2012-15), OT, Baltimore Ravens

Missed the Ravens’ 23-20 loss to the Bills due to an ankle injury … Has not appeared in a game for 2-2 Baltimore this season and played in only seven games since the start of 2020 due to multiple ankle surgeries.

Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (2017-21), DL, Las Vegas Raiders

Signed to the Raiders’ practice squad Aug. 13 after team waived him during final cuts.

Jerry Tillery (2015-18), DT, Los Angeles Chargers

Had 1 sack and a forced fumble in the Chargers’ 34-24 win over the Texans … Has 5 tackles and 1 sack in four games for 2-2 Los Angeles.

Drue Tranquill (2014-18), LB, Los Angeles Chargers

Started and made 11 tackles in the Chargers’ 34-24 win over the Texans … Has 35 tackles 1 pass broken up and 1 interception in four games for 2-2 Los Angeles.

Tommy Tremble (2018-20), TE, Carolina Panthers

Had 3 catches for 34 yards in the Panthers’ 26-16 loss to the Cardinals … Has 5 catches for 42 yards in four games for 1-3 Carolina.

Kyren Williams (2019-21), RB, Los Angeles Rams

Expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks due an ankle sprain he suffered in Week 1 … Did not record any stats for the 2-2 Rams prior to his injury.

Brock Wright (2017-20), TE, Detroit Lions

Played 24 snaps on offense and 14 on special teams, recording no catches, in the Lions’ 48-45 loss to the Seahawks … Has played in four games for 1-3 Detroit, making 1 catch for 25 yards.

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