Notre Dame in the NFL, Week 8: Cole Kmet snaps long touchdown drought
Cole Kmet’s dry spell is over. The former Notre Dame and current Chicago Bears tight end caught his first touchdown since the 2020 season Sunday on a 10-yard pass during a 49-29 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
He hadn’t scored since Dec. 6, 2020. That was 28 games ago — 29 if you include a playoff game in January 2021. The drought lasted nearly as long as his 35-game Notre Dame career. All told, he caught 94 passes in a row without reaching the end zone.
Kmet’s touchdown pass from quarterback Justin Fields brought the Bears within two scores with 13:40 to go. He caught it in the corner of the end zone to make the score 42-29, but the ensuing two-point attempt failed.
“Play action, he bluffs the corner[back] a little bit and runs to the corner,” Fields said. “The corner slipped. Cole executed that play well.”
Kmet 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 8.
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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
Started at left guard and allowed 3 quarterback pressures in the 49ers’ 31-14 win over the Rams … 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 3 pressures in the Raiders’ 24-0 loss to the Saints … Has appeared in six games with five starts for the 2-5 Raiders, allowing 1 sack and 11 pressures and posting a PFF grade of 46.1 … Signed to the active roster from the practice squad Oct. 1.
Ian Book (2016-20), QB, Philadelphia Eagles
Inactive for the Eagles’ 35-13 win over the Steelers … Has not appeared in a game this season for 7-0 Philadelphia.
Miles Boykin (2015-18), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Was not targeted in 9 offensive snaps and played 14 snaps on special teams in the Steelers’ 35-13 loss to the Eagles … 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
Traded to the Chicago Bears from the Pittsburgh Steelers Tuesday for a second-round pick, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter … Started and caught 4 passes for 45 yards and threw a 1-yard touchdown pass in the Steelers’ 35-13 loss to the Eagles … Had 32 catches for 311 yards and 1 touchdown plus 8 carries for 55 yards in eight games with 2-6 Pittsburgh.
Scott Daly (2012-15), LS, Detroit Lions
Was the long snapper in the Lions’ 31-27 loss to the Dolphins … Has played in all seven games for 1-6 Detroit.
Liam Eichenberg (2016-20), OL, Miami Dolphins
Started at left guard and allowed 0 pressures in the Dolphins’ 31-27 win over the Lions, but was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with an MCL sprain suffered in the game … Has started eight games for 5-3 Miami, allowing 2 sacks and 19 pressures with a PFF grade of 44.9.
Matthias Farley (2011-15), S, Las Vegas Raiders
Played 18 special teams snaps and made 1 tackle in the Raiders’ 24-0 loss to the Saints … Has 6 tackles in seven games for 2-5 Las Vegas and has played 137 special teams snaps.
Alohi Gilman (2017-19), S, Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers were off in Week 8 … Has 12 tackles and 1 interception in seven games (one start) for 4-3 Chargers.
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Robert Hainsey (2017-20), OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Started at center and allowed 3 pressures in the Bucs’ 27-22 loss to the Ravens … Has started eight games for 3-5 Tampa Bay, allowing 0 sacks and 13 pressures with a PFF grade of 66.4.
Kyle Hamilton (2019-21), S, Baltimore Ravens
Made 3 tackles and broke up 1 pass in the Ravens’ 27-22 win over the Bucs … Has 13 tackles, 1 sack, 2 passes broken up and 1 forced fumble in eight games for 5-3 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 27 defensive snaps with 1 pressure in the Texans’ 17-10 loss to the Titans … Has appeared in six games (178 total snaps) with no tackles and 4 pressures for 1-5-1 Houston.
J.J. Jansen (2004-07), LS, Carolina Panthers
Was the long snapper in the Panthers’ 37-34 loss to the Falcons … Has played in eight games for 2-6 Carolina.
Jamir Jones (2016-19), DL, Pittsburgh Steelers
Played 18 special teams snaps in the Steelers’ 35-13 loss to the Eagles … 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’ 27-13 win over the Giants … 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 4-4 Bengals’ first five games due to a hamstring injury.
Cole Kmet (2017-19), TE, Chicago Bears
Started and caught 2 passes for 11 yards and a touchdown in the Bears’ 49-29 loss to the Cowboys … Has started eight games for 3-5 Chicago and compiled 14 catches for 149 yards and 1 touchdown.
Tommy Kraemer (2016-20), OL, Detroit Lions
Placed on injured reserve with a back injury Sept. 15 … Has not appeared in a game for 1-6 Detroit this season.
Julian Love (2016-18), S, New York Giants
Started and made 8 tackles in the Giants’ 27-13 loss to the Seahawks … 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’ 17-16 win over the Colts … Has played two games (two starts) for 4-4 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
Started at right guard and allowed 2 pressures in the Cowboys’ 49-29 win over the Bears … 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
Started at safety and made 2 tackles in the Giants’ 27-13 loss to the Seahawks … Has played in five games with 7 tackles and 1 pass broken up for 6-2 New York.
Mike McGlinchey (2013-17), OT, San Francisco 49ers
Started at right tackle and allowed 2 sacks in the 49ers’ 31-14 win over the Rams … 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 0 pressures in the Bears’ 49-29 loss to the Cowboys … Has played in eight games (seven starts) for 3-5 Chicago, with 11 pressures allowed and a PFF grade of 67.5.
Quenton Nelson (2014-17), OG, Indianapolis Colts
Started at left guard and allowed 3 pressures in the Colts’ 17-16 loss to the Commanders … Has started eight games for 3-4-1 Indianapolis, allowing 2 sacks and 11 pressures with a PFF grade of 62.1.
Adetokunbo Ogundeji (2016-20), DE, Atlanta Falcons
Started and made 2 tackles in the Falcons’ 37-34 overtime win over the Panthers … Has started seven games for 4-4 Atlanta and made 16 tackles with 1 sack.
Julian Okwara (2016-19), LB, Detroit Lions
Made 1 tackle in the Lions’ 31-27 loss to the Dolphins … Has played six games (one start) with 8 tackles for 1-6 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
Missed the Browns’ 32-13 win over the Bengals due to a knee injury … 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
Made 1 tackle in the Browns’ 32-13 win over the Bengals … 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
Active but did not catch a pass in the Bucs’ 27-22 loss to the Ravens … Has been active for four games for 3-5 Tampa Bay, making 2 catches for 20 yards.
Ben Skowronek (2020), WR, Los Angeles Rams
Had 1 catch for 5 yards in the Rams’ 31-14 loss to the 49ers … Has 24 catches for 226 yards and 1 carry for 17 yards in seven games (five starts) for 3-4 Los Angeles.
Harrison Smith (2007-11), S, Minnesota Vikings
Made 6 tackles and had 1 interception in the Vikings 34-26 win over the Cardinals … Has made 40 tackles with 3 interceptions and 2 passes broken up in six starts for 6-1 Minnesota.
Jaylon Smith (2013-15), LB, New York Giants
Started and made 7 tackles in the Giants’ 27-13 loss to the Seahawks … 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 31 snaps but was not targeted in the Dolphins’ 31-27 win over the Lions … Has started seven games for 5-3 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 and had 1 catch for 6 yards in the Bears’ 49-29 loss to the Cowboys … Has 11 catches for 164 yards and a touchdown in eight starts for 3-5 Chicago.
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Ronnie Stanley (2012-15), OT, Baltimore Ravens
Started at left tackle and allowed 0 pressures in the Ravens’ 27-22 win over the Bucs … Has started four games for 5-3 Baltimore, allowing 2 pressures and earning a PFF grade of 76.6.
Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (2017-21), DL, Las Vegas Raiders
Signed to the Raiders’ practice squad Aug. 31 after team waived him during final cuts.
Jerry Tillery (2015-18), DT, Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers were off in Week 8 … Has 8 tackles, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble in seven games for 4-3 Los Angeles.
Drue Tranquill (2014-18), LB, Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers were off in Week 8 … Has 56 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 pass broken up and 1 interception in seven games (six starts) for 4-3 Los Angeles.
Tommy Tremble (2018-20), TE, Carolina Panthers
Had 2 catches for 17 yards in the Panthers’ 37-34 loss to the Falcons … Has 8 catches for 88 yards and a touchdown in eight games (two starts) for 2-6 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 3-4 Rams prior to his injury.
Brock Wright (2017-20), TE, Detroit Lions
Had 1 catch for 6 yards in the Lions’ 31-27 loss to the Dolphins … Has played in seven games (two starts) for 1-6 Detroit, making 6 catches for 88 yards.
