Notre Dame in the NFL, Week 2: Giants sign linebacker Jaylon Smith to practice squad
Former Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith won’t have any trouble finding his way around his new team’s practice facility, stadium or surrounding area. The New York Giants, who signed him to their practice squad Monday, are a familiar spot. Smith played four games for them last year.
The faces in the building, though, won’t be as recognizable. The Giants have hired a new general manager, head coach, defensive coordinator and two new linebackers coaches since Smith played there last year.
The new regime is responsible for extending his career and giving him a chance to prove he still has something left to offer.
Smith, 27, had not found a new home since ending the 2021 season with the Giants. He played four games for them, totaling 19 tackles and 1 sack. They were the third of three teams to employ him last year. The Dallas Cowboys released him in October 2021 after five-plus seasons with the team and with nearly three years left on a five-year, $64 million contract extension.
The Green Bay Packers picked Smith up two days later, but released him after two games. He signed with the Giants in mid-December after six weeks on the open market.
One of Smith’s former Notre Dame teammates has a new home, too. The Washington Commanders signed center Nick Martin, according to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Martin was previously with the New Orleans Saints, who signed him July 26, moved him to the practice squad Aug. 30 and released him Sept. 10. He spent the 2021 season with the Las Vegas Raiders as the backup center.
Smith and Martin become two of more than 40 former Notre Dame players on an NFL roster or practice squad. Here’s a look at how each fared in Week 2 of the 2022 season.
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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 … Jacksonville initially signed him as an undrafted free agent this spring.
Aaron Banks (2017-20), OG, San Francisco 49ers
Started at left guard in the 49ers’ 27-7 win over the Seahawks … Has started two games for 1-1 San Francisco, allowing 3 quarterback pressures with 0 sacks and posting a 75.5 Pro Football Focus overall grade.
Alex Bars (2014-18), OL, Las Vegas Raiders
Elevated from practice squad for the Raiders’ 29-23 overtime loss to the Cardinals and played 3 special teams snaps on the field goal unit … Signed to the Raiders practice squad Sept. 10 after team waived him during final cuts … Las Vegas initially signed him to a one-year deal in March.
Ian Book (2016-20), QB, Philadelphia Eagles
Inactive for the Eagles’ 24-7 win over the Vikings … Has not appeared in a game this season for 2-0 Philadelphia, which claimed him off waivers from the Saints Aug. 31.
Miles Boykin (2015-18), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Made 2 special teams tackles in the Steelers’ 17-14 loss to the Patriots … Has 4 tackles on special teams (33 special teams snaps) and 1 target on offense in two games for 1-1 Pittsburgh.
Chase Claypool (2016-19), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Started and caught 4 passes for 26 yards in the Steelers’ 17-14 loss to the Patriots … Has 8 catches for 44 yards in two games for 1-1 Pittsburgh.
Scott Daly (2012-15), LS, Detroit Lions
Served as the primary long snapper in the Lions’ 36-27 win over the Commanders … Has played two games for 1-1 Detroit.
Liam Eichenberg (2016-20), OL, Miami Dolphins
Started at left guard in the Dolphins’ 42-38 win over the Ravens … Has started two games for 2-0 Miami, allowing 0 sacks and 6 quarterback pressures with a PFF grade of 36.0
Matthias Farley (2011-15), S, Las Vegas Raiders
Made 1 special teams tackle in the Raiders’ 29-23 overtime loss to the Cardinals … Has 1 tackle in two games for 0-2 Las Vegas and has played 32 special teams snaps.
Alohi Gilman (2017-19), S, Los Angeles Chargers
Recorded 1 tackle in the Chargers’ 27-24 loss to the Chiefs … Has 2 tackles in two games for 1-1 Chargers.
Robert Hainsey (2017-20), OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Started at center in the Bucs’ 20-10 win over the Saints … Has started two games for 2-0 Tampa Bay, allowing 0 sacks and 3 quarterback pressures with a PFF grade of 70.3 … Moved into starting lineup when starting center Ryan Jensen went down with a knee injury early in training camp.
Kyle Hamilton (2019-21), S, Baltimore Ravens
Made 4 tackles with 1 pass broken up in the Ravens’ 42-38 loss to the Dolphins … Has 7 seven tackles and 1 pass broken up in two games for 1-1 Baltimore.
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Daelin Hayes (2016-20), DE, Baltimore Ravens
Waived/injured by the Ravens at final cuts and placed on injured reserve.
Kurt Hinish (2017-21), DT, Houston Texans
Active but recorded no stats in the Texans’ 16-9 loss to the Broncos … Has appeared in two games (64 total snaps) with no tackles for 0-1-1 Houston … Made the 53-man roster out of training camp as an undrafted free agent.
J.J. Jansen (2004-07), LS, Carolina Panthers
Served as the long snapper in the Panthers’ 19-16 loss to the Giants … Has played two games for 0-2 Carolina.
Jamir Jones (2016-19), DL, Pittsburgh Steelers
Made 1 tackle in the Steelers 17-14 loss to the Patriots … Has appeared in two games with 3 tackles and 1 pass broken up for 1-1 Pittsburgh.
Tony Jones Jr. (2016-19), RB, New Orleans Saints
Had 2 carries for 8 yards and 2 catches for 12 yards in the Saints’ 20-10 loss to the Buccaneers … Has played two games for 1-1 New Orleans, with those same stats.
Khalid Kareem (2016-19), DL, Cincinnati Bengals
Placed on injured reserve Sept. 1 with hamstring injury and has not played this season.
Cole Kmet (2017-19), TE, Chicago Bears
Started but did not catch a pass in the Bears’ 27-10 loss to the Packers … Has started two games but made no catches for 1-1 Chicago.
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 logged any offensive or special teams snaps for 1-1 Detroit.
Julian Love (2016-18), S, New York Giants
Started and made 8 tackles with 1 sack in the Giants’ 19-16 win over the Panthers … Has made 13 tackles with 1 sack in two games for 2-0 New York.
Nick Martin (2011-15), C, Washington Commanders
Signed with the Commanders Sept. 20 and is on the 53-man roster … Released from New Orleans Saints practice squad Sept. 10 … Spent training camp with New Orleans, was released during final cuts Aug. 30 and quickly signed to the practice squad.
Zack Martin (2009-13), OG, Dallas Cowboys
Started at right guard in the Cowboys’ 20-17 win over the Bengals … Has started two games for 1-1 Dallas, allowing 2 quarterback pressures and posting a PFF offensive grade of 72.7.
Nick McCloud (2020), CB, New York Giants
Inactive for the Giants’ 19-16 win over the Panthers … Has played in one game and totaled 2 tackles for 2-0 New York.
Mike McGlinchey (2013-17), OT, San Francisco 49ers
Started at right tackle in the 49ers’ 27-7 win over the Seahawks, allowing 0 quarterback pressures … Has started both games for 1-1 San Francisco, with 1 sack and 2 pressures allowed and a PFF grade of 72.1
Sam Mustipher (2014-18), C, Chicago Bears
Started at center and allowed 1 pressure in the Bears’ 27-10 loss to the Packers … Has played in two games (two starts) for 1-1 Chicago, with 2 pressures allowed and a PFF grade of 57.7.
Quenton Nelson (2014-17), OG, Indianapolis Colts
Started at left guard and allowed 1 sack in the Colts’ 24-0 loss to the Jaguars … Has started two games for 0-1-1 Indianapolis, allowing 1 sack and 2 pressures with a PFF grade of 75.0 … Became the NFL’s highest-paid guard Sept. 10 when he signed a four-year, $80 million contract extension.
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Adetokunbo Ogundeji (2016-20), DE, Atlanta Falcons
Started and made 6 tackles with 1 sack in Falcons’ 31-27 loss to the Rams … Has played in two games (two starts) with 9 tackles and 1 sack for 0-2 Atlanta.
Julian Okwara (2016-19), LB, Detroit Lions
Made season debut and totaled 2 tackles in the Lions 36-27 win over the Commanders … Has played one game with 2 tackles for 1-1 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 early last season.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (2017-20), LB, Cleveland Browns
Started and made 9 tackles with 1 forced fumble in the Browns’ 31-30 loss to the Jets … Has totaled 14 tackles and 1 forced fumble in two games (two starts) for 0-2 Cleveland.
Isaac Rochell (2013-16), DL, Cleveland Browns
Returned to the practice squad and did not play in the Browns’ 31-30 loss to the Jets … Has played in one game (6 snaps) for 0-2 Cleveland.
Kyle Rudolph (2008-10), TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Inactive for the Buccaneers’ 20-10 win over the Saints … Has been inactive for both of 2-0 Tampa Bay’s games.
Ben Skowronek (2020), WR, Los Angeles Rams
Started and made 2 catches for 16 yards in the Rams’ 31-27 win over the Falcons … Has 6 catches for 41 yards in two games (two starts) and 4 snaps on special teams for 1-1 Los Angeles.
Harrison Smith (2007-11), S, Minnesota Vikings
Started and made 13 tackles in the Vikings 24-7 loss to the Eagles … Has made 20 tackles with 1 pass broken up and 1 interception in two games (both starts) for 1-1 Minnesota.
Jaylon Smith (2013-15), LB, New York Giants
Signed to 2-0 New York’s practice squad Sept. 19 … Was not with a team in training camp.
Durham Smythe (2013-17), TE, Miami Dolphins
Started and caught 1 pass for 5 yards and returned a kickoff 18 yards in the Dolphins’ 42-38 win over the Ravens … Has started two games for 2-0 Miami and made 2 catches for 19 yards.
Equanimeous St. Brown (2015-17), WR, Chicago Bears
Started and caught 2 passes for 39 yards in the Bears’ 27-10 loss to the Packers … Has 3 catches for 57 yards and a touchdown for 1-1 Chicago.
Ronnie Stanley (2012-15), OT, Baltimore Ravens
Missed the Ravens’ 42-38 loss to the Dolphins due to an ankle injury … Has not appeared in a game for 1-1 Baltimore this season and played in 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 … Initially signed by Las Vegas as an undrafted free agent in April.
Jerry Tillery (2015-18), DT, Los Angeles Chargers
Made 2 tackles in the Chargers’ 27-24 loss to the Chiefs … Has 2 tackles in two games off the bench for 1-1 Los Angeles.
Drue Tranquill (2014-18), LB, Los Angeles Chargers
Started and made 7 tackles with 0.5 sacks in the Chargers’ 27-24 loss to the Chiefs … Has 13 tackles, 0.5 sacks and 1 interception in two games for 1-1 Los Angeles.
Tommy Tremble (2018-20), TE, Carolina Panthers
Played 18 offensive snaps but was not targeted in the Panthers’ 19-16 loss to the Giants … Has 1 catch for 1 yard in two games for 0-2 Carolina.
Kyren Williams (2019-21), RB, Los Angeles Rams
Suffered an ankle sprain in the Rams’ Week 1 loss to the Bills that will sideline him for six to eight weeks … Did not record any stats prior to injury.
Brock Wright (2017-20), TE, Detroit Lions
Had 1 catch for 25 yards in 12 snaps in the Lions’ 36-27 win over the Commanders … Has played in two games (24 snaps) for 1-1 Detroit, making 1 catch.
