Irish in the NFL, Week 9: Harrison Smith interception helps Vikings come back to beat Commanders
The latest interception for former Notre Dame and current Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith might have been his easiest one this year. At least according to his description of it.
“It was a little overthrown ball,” Smith told reporters. “Just caught it.”
That simple, apparently. Smith was in the right spot to capitalize on a cardinal sin of quarterback play: throwing high over the middle. Smith was one of two deep safeties on a second-and-11 pass from Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke that sailed over tight end Logan Thomas’ head and right into his arms. Easy pickings.
What the play lacked in strenuous effort, though, it made up for in impact.
Smith’s interception came with just more than eight minutes left in the game, with the Vikings trailing 17-10. He caught it at Washington’s 47-yard line and ran it back to the 12. Two plays later, Minnesota scored the tying touchdown and went on to win 20-17.
Smith has an interception in three straight games for the first time in his 11-year career. He is in a five-way tie for second in the NFL with 4 picks.
Smith is one of more than 40 former Notre Dame players who are on an NFL roster or practice squad. Here’s a look at how each fared in Week 9.
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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.
Aaron Banks (2017-20), OG, San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers were off in Week 9 … Has started eight games for 4-4 San Francisco, allowing 11 pressures with 0 sacks and posting a 68.0 Pro Football Focus overall grade.
Alex Bars (2014-18), OL, Las Vegas Raiders
Started at right guard and allowed 1 sack and 6 pressures in the Raiders’ 27-20 loss to the Jaguars… Has appeared in seven games with six starts for the 2-6 Raiders, allowing 2 sacks and 17 pressures while posting a PFF grade of 47.7 … Signed to the active roster from the practice squad Oct. 1.
Ian Book (2016-20), QB, Philadelphia Eagles
Inactive for the Eagles’ 29-17 win over the Texans … Has not appeared in a game this season for 8-0 Philadelphia.
Miles Boykin (2015-18), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers were off in Week 9 … Has 6 tackles on special teams (120 special teams snaps) and 1 catch for 11 yards in eight games for 2-6 Pittsburgh.
Chase Claypool (2016-19), WR, Chicago Bears
Played 26 snaps in his Bears debut and caught 2 passes for 13 yards with a 4-yard run in Chicago’s 35-32 loss to the Dolphins … Has 34 catches for 324 yards and 1 touchdown, plus 9 carries for 59 yards, in nine games between the Bears and Steelers … Traded to the Bears Nov. 1.
Scott Daly (2012-15), LS, Detroit Lions
Was the long snapper in the Lions’ 15-9 win over the Packers … Has played in all eight games for 2-6 Detroit.
Liam Eichenberg (2016-20), OL, Miami Dolphins
Placed on injured reserve Nov. 1 with an MCL sprain … Has started eight games for 6-3 Miami, allowing 2 sacks and 19 pressures with a PFF grade of 44.9.
Matthias Farley (2011-15), S, Las Vegas Raiders
Played 23 special teams snaps in the Raiders’ 27-20 loss to the Jaguars … Has 6 tackles in eight games for 2-6 Las Vegas and has played 160 special teams snaps.
Alohi Gilman (2017-19), S, Los Angeles Chargers
Played 20 snaps on defense and 20 on special teams, totaling 3 tackles, in the Chargers 20-17 win over the Falcons … Has 15 tackles and 1 interception in eight games (one start) for 5-3 Chargers.
Robert Hainsey (2017-20), OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Started at center and allowed 1 pressure in the Bucs’ 16-13 win over the Rams … Has started nine games for 4-5 Tampa Bay, allowing 0 sacks and 14 pressures with a PFF grade of 63.5.
Kyle Hamilton (2019-21), S, Baltimore Ravens
Made 6 tackles in the Ravens’ 27-13 win over the Saints … Has 25 tackles, 1 sack, 2 passes broken up and 1 forced fumble in nine games for 6-3 Baltimore.
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
Played 40 defensive snaps with 1 pressure in the Texans’ 29-17 loss to the Eagles … Has appeared in seven games (218 total snaps) with no tackles and 7 pressures for 1-6-1 Houston.
J.J. Jansen (2004-07), LS, Carolina Panthers
Was the long snapper in the Panthers’ 42-21 loss to the Bengals … Has played in nine games for 2-7 Carolina.
Jamir Jones (2016-19), DL, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers were off in Week 9 … Has appeared in eight games for 2-6 Pittsburgh, with 6 tackles and 1 pass broken up.
Tony Jones Jr. (2016-19), RB, Seattle Seahawks
Inactive for the Seahawks’ 31-21 win over the Cardinals … Waived by the Saints Oct. 8 and claimed by the Seahawks Oct. 10 … Has played two games this season, both for New Orleans, with 2 carries for 8 yards and 2 catches for 12 yards.
Khalid Kareem (2016-19), DL, Cincinnati Bengals
Signed to the Bengals’ practice squad Oct. 13 two days after the team placed him on waivers … Activated from injured reserve Oct. 10 after missing the 5-4 Bengals’ first five games due to a hamstring injury.
Cole Kmet (2017-19), TE, Chicago Bears
Started and caught 5 passes for 41 yards and two touchdowns in the Bears’ 35-32 loss to the Dolphins … Has started nine games for 3-6 Chicago and compiled 19 catches for 190 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Tommy Kraemer (2016-20), OL, Detroit Lions
Placed on injured reserve with a back injury Sept. 15 … Has not appeared in a game for 2-6 Detroit this season.
Julian Love (2016-18), S, New York Giants
The Giants were off in Week 9 … Has recorded 58 tackles with 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 pass broken up and 1 interception in eight (all starts) games for 6-2 New York.
Nick Martin (2011-15), C, Washington Commanders
Active but did not play in the Commanders’ 20-17 loss to the Vikings … Has played two games (two starts) for 4-5 Washington, allowing 4 pressures with a PFF grade of 44.3 … Signed with the Commanders Sept. 20 … Released from New Orleans Saints practice squad Sept. 10.
Zack Martin (2009-13), OG, Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys were off in Week 9 … Has started eight games for 6-2 Dallas, allowing 0 sacks, 10 pressures and earning a PFF grade of 69.8.
Nick McCloud (2020), CB/S, New York Giants
The Giants were off in Week 9 … Has played in five games with 7 tackles and 1 pass broken up for 6-2 New York.
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Mike McGlinchey (2013-17), OT, San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers were off in Week 9 … Has started eight games for 4-4 San Francisco, with 5 sacks and 14 pressures allowed and a PFF grade of 70.2.
Sam Mustipher (2014-18), C, Chicago Bears
Started at center and allowed 2 pressures in the Bears’ 35-32 loss to the Dolphins … Has played in nine games (eight starts) for 3-6 Chicago, with 13 pressures allowed and a PFF grade of 67.2.
Quenton Nelson (2014-17), OG, Indianapolis Colts
Started at left guard and allowed 2 pressures in the Colts’ 26-3 loss to the Patriots … Has started nine games for 3-5-1 Indianapolis, allowing 2 sacks and 13 pressures with a PFF grade of 65.9.
Adetokunbo Ogundeji (2016-20), DE, Atlanta Falcons
Started and made 1 tackle in the Falcons’ 20-17 loss to the Chargers … Has started eight games for 4-5 Atlanta and made 17 tackles with 1 sack.
Julian Okwara (2016-19), LB, Detroit Lions
Made 5 tackles in the Lions’ 15-9 win over the Packers … Has played seven games (one start) with 8 tackles for 2-6 Detroit.
Romeo Okwara (2012-15), DE, Detroit Lions
Placed on reserve/physically unable to perform list Aug. 23 and has not played this season … Still rehabbing from torn Achilles suffered in Week 4 of the 2021 season.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (2017-20), LB, Cleveland Browns
The Browns were off in Week 9 … Has totaled 39 tackles, 3 passes broken up and 2 forced fumbles in seven games (six starts) for 3-5 Cleveland.
Isaac Rochell (2013-16), DL, Cleveland Browns
The Browns were off in Week 9 … Has played in six games (one start) for 3-5 Cleveland, with 12 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
Played 5 snaps but did not catch a pass in the Bucs’ 16-13 win over the Rams … Has played 5 games for 4-5 Tampa Bay, making 2 catches for 20 yards.
Ben Skowronek (2020), WR, Los Angeles Rams
Played 37 offensive snaps with no catches in the Rams’ 16-13 loss to the Bucs … Has 24 catches for 226 yards and 1 carry for 17 yards in eight games (five starts) for 3-5 Los Angeles.
Harrison Smith (2007-11), S, Minnesota Vikings
Made 4 tackles and had 1 interception in the Vikings 20-17 win over the Commanders … Has made 43 tackles with 4 interceptions and 2 passes broken up in seven starts for 7-1 Minnesota.
Jaylon Smith (2013-15), LB, New York Giants
The Giants were off in Week 9 … Has appeared in five games (3 starts) and made 26 tackles for 6-2 New York … Signed to the Giants’ practice squad Sept. 19 and was elevated to the active roster Oct. 1.
Durham Smythe (2013-17), TE, Miami Dolphins
Played 33 snaps but did not catch a pass in the Dolphins’ 35-32 win over the Bears … Has started eight games for 6-3 Miami and made 6 catches for 50 yards, to go with a 1-yard rushing touchdown.
Equanimeous St. Brown (2015-17), WR, Chicago Bears
Started but did not catch a pass in the Bears’ 35-32 loss to the Dolphins … Has 11 catches for 164 yards and a touchdown in nine starts for 3-6 Chicago.
Ronnie Stanley (2012-15), OT, Baltimore Ravens
Started at left tackle and allowed 0 pressures in the Ravens’ 27-13 win over the Saints … Has started five games for 6-3 Baltimore, allowing 2 pressures and earning a PFF grade of 75.6.
Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (2017-21), DL, Las Vegas Raiders
Placed on the Raiders’ practice squad reserve/injured list Nov. 3 … Signed to the Raiders’ practice squad Aug. 31 after team waived him during final cuts.
Jerry Tillery (2015-18), DT, Los Angeles Chargers
Missed the Chargers 20-17 win over the Falcons due to a back injury … Has 8 tackles, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble in seven games for 5-3 Los Angeles.
Drue Tranquill (2014-18), LB, Los Angeles Chargers
Started and made 10 tackles with 1 sack in the Chargers 20-17 win over the Falcons … Has 66 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 pass broken up and 1 interception in eight games (seven starts) for 5-3 Los Angeles.
Tommy Tremble (2018-20), TE, Carolina Panthers
Had 2 catches for 11 yards in the Panthers’ 42-21 loss to the Bengals … Has 10 catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns in nine games (three starts) for 2-7 Carolina.
Kyren Williams (2019-21), RB, Los Angeles Rams
Remains on injured reserve due an ankle sprain he suffered in Week 1 … Did not record any stats for the 3-5 Rams prior to his injury.
Brock Wright (2017-20), TE, Detroit Lions
Started but did not catch a pass in the Lions’ 15-9 win over the Packers … Has played in eight games (three starts) for 2-6 Detroit, making 6 catches for 88 yards.
