Penn State NFL Roundup: Micah Parsons dominates again, Miles Sanders and Saquon Barkley return from injury
Former Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons continues to make headlines in the NFL.
The rookie turned in another electric performance to headline a busy week for Penn State alumni in the pros.
Let’s start our recap by ranking the five best performances by former Nittany Lions in the pros this week.
1.) Micah Parsons (Played at Penn State 2018-19), LB, Dallas Cowboys
We are running out of superlatives for Micah Parsons.
He turned in another dominant performance for the Cowboys this week against the Chiefs, sacking Patrick Mahomes twice. He’s now got 5.5 sacks in Dallas’s past three games and eight for the season.
One of his sacks forced a fumble that the Cowboys pounced on, too.
The runaway favorite for the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award, Parsons can start thinking about breaking records, as well.
Despite splitting time between the linebacker position and an edge-rushing role, Parsons needs just 6.5 more sacks this season to match Jevon Kearse’s rookie record.
2.) Chris Godwin (2014-16), WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Godwin continues to produce at the steadiest of paces.
The former Nittany Lion wideout caught all six of the passes thrown his way in a comfortable Monday Night Football win over the Giants, accumulating 65 receiving yards and finding the end zone, too.
3.) Amani Oruwariye (2014-18), CB, Detroit Lions
Even on a winless team, Oruwariye just keeps making plays.
The former Penn State defensive back picked up his fourth interception of the season on Sunday in Detroit’s narrow loss to Cleveland. He also registered five solo tackles.
4.) Miles Sanders (2016-18), RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Miles Sanders had a nice showing upon his return from the injured reserve.
Sanders ran for a season-high 94 yards on 16 carries in a win over the Saints, stepping right back into his role as the Eagles’ lead back.
5.) Pat Freiermuth (2018-20), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
It wasn’t a big yardage game for Freiermuth against the Chargers on Sunday Night Football, with just 11 receiving yards.
But he came through at the game’s most crucial point, catching a touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter that tied the score. It’s his fourth touchdown catch in the past four weeks.
Unfortunately for Freiermuth, his efforts proved to be for naught as the Chargers came up with the win.
Trace McSorley (2014-18), QB, Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals reportedly signed Penn State great Trace McSorley off the Ravens’ practice squad. He’s expected to join their active roster.
Adrian Amos (2011-14), S, Green Bay Packers
Amos and the Packers’ secondary had a rough time of it this week, giving up a season-high 34 points to Kirk Cousins and the Vikings.
Amos registered three tackles on the day while playing every defensive snap for Green Bay for the 10th week in a row.
Odafe Oweh (2018-20), DE, Baltimore Ravens
Another outstanding rookie pass-rusher, Oweh registered two takles and a quarterback hit in Baltimore’s comeback win over Chicago on Sunday.
Mike Gesicki (2014-17), TE, Miami Dolphins
Gesicki bounced back from his reception-less game two weeks ago to haul in five of his six targets for 50 yards in a win over the Jets.
Blake Gillikin (2016-19), P, New Orleans Saints
Gillikin punted six times for 299 yards against the Eagles in his return to the Keystone State — including one booming 62 yarder.
Jesse James (2012-14), TE, Chicago Bears
James started and played 19 snaps against the Ravens but was not targeted in the passing game.
Yetur Gross-Matos (2017-19), DE, Carolina Panthers
Gross-Matos played 20 snaps and made one tackle in a loss to the Washington Football Team at home.
Nick Scott (2014-18), S, Los Angeles Rams
Scott’s Rams had their bye this week.
Austin Johnson (2012-15), DT, New York Giants
Johnson registered five tackles and deflected a pass in New York’s 30-10 loss to Tampa Bay on Monday Night Football.
Saquon Barkley (2015-17), RB, New York Giants
The former Penn State star returned from a six-week injury absence to carry the ball six times for 25 yards against the Bucs.
Barkley made a greater impact as a receiver, catching all six of his targets for 31 yards.
Carl Nassib (2011-15), DE, Las Vegas Raiders
Nassib tied a season-high with four solo tackles on Sunday in a loss to the Bengals. He also came away with his third tackle for loss of the season, playing 30 snaps.
Juwan Johnson (2015-18), TE, New Orleans Saints
Johnson was a bit unlucky, with an apparent touchdown reception called back due to a penalty. He still found a way to contribute, though, reeling in two passes for 36 yards.
He could see an increased role moving forward. Starting Saints TE Adam Trautman is reportedly out for the next 4-6 weeks.
Robbie Gould (2001-04), K, San Francisco 49ers
The former Penn State kicker had a perfect day against Jacksonville, converting on all three of his field goal attempts and knocking through a trio of PATs.
Allen Robinson II (2011-13), WR, Chicago Bears
Robinson missed Chicago’s loss to Baltimore due to a hamstring injury.
Connor McGovern (2016-18), OL, Dallas Cowboys
McGovern earned his second start of the season for the Cowboys against Kansas City, surpassing Connor Williams on the depth chart. He played every snap in the game and will retain his place at left guard this week, according to reports.
Jason Cabinda (2014-17), FB, Detroit Lions
Cabinda carried the ball twice for 21 yards against the Browns.
DaQuan Jones (2010-13), DT, Carolina Panthers
Jones made three tackles and registered a QB hit in Carolina’s loss to Washington.
Cam Brown (2016-19), LB, New York Giants
Brown played 23 special teams snaps and came away with a tackle in New York’s loss to Tampa Bay.
Ryan Bates (2015-18),OL, Buffalo Bills
Bates played five snaps on offense in a blowout loss to Indianapolis.
Marcus Allen (2014-17), LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
The former Penn State safety registered his second special teams tackle of the season against the Chargers. He has yet to appear on defense this season.
Kevin Givens (2015-18), DT, San Francisco 49ers
Givens came away with one tackle — a tackle for loss — and a QB hit in San Francisco’s win over the Jaguars.
Donovan Smith (2011-14), OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Smith played 88 percent of Tampa’s snaps in a comfortable win over the Giants on Monday Night Football.
Dan Chisena (2015-19), WR, Minnesota Vikings
Chisena played 17 special teams snaps for the Vikings in their win over Green Bay.
Troy Apke (2014-17), S, Washington Football Team
Apke recovered a fumble on special teams for the Washington Football Team in its win over Carolina.
Nick Bowers (2015-19), TE, Las Vegas Raiders
The former Penn State tight end has been on injured reserve since mid-October with a neck injury.
Will Fries (2016-20), OL, Indianapolis Colts
The seventh-rounder is still waiting to make his season debut for the Colts.
John Reid (2015-19), CB, Seattle Seahawks
Reid made his fifth appearance of the season against Arizona with six special teams snaps.
Shaka Toney (2016-20), DE, Washington Football Team
The former Penn State defensive end did not play against Carolina this week.
