Lions in the League: How former Penn State football players fared in Week 2 of NFL action
Week 2 of the NFL season saw all-time highs and all-time lows for former Penn State players. For instance, while Miami Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki had a career day, New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley ended his third season in the league with an ACL tear.
Of the 42 former Nittany Lions on 53-man rosters and practice squads, here are the players that recorded stats in Week 2:
Adrian Amos, S, Green Bay Packers
Following up last week’s two-tackle performance, Adrian Amos recorded one solo and one assisted tackle in the Green Bay Packers’ 42-21 win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
Troy Apke, S, Washington Football Team
After setting a career-high with eight tackles in Washington’s opener against the Philadelphia Eagles last week, Troy Apke continued his hot start to the season with five solo tackles in Washington’s 30-15 loss Sunday to the Arizona Cardinals.
Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
The toughest news this week regarding former Penn State players in the NFL came Monday when the New York Giants announced that an MRI confirmed star running back Saquon Barkley suffered a torn ACL. Barkley ran four times for 28 yards on Sunday before suffering the season-ending injury in his right knee early in the second quarter of the Giants’ 17-13 loss to the Chicago Bears.
Jack Crawford, DT, Tennessee Titans
After a quiet season-opener against the Denver Broncos in Week 1, Jack Crawford recorded a sack, solo tackle and quarterback hit in the Tennessee Titans’ 33-30 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
Sam Ficken, K, New York Jets
In the New Yorks Jets’ 31-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sam Ficken drilled two field goals — a 41-yarder and a 25-yarder — and made an extra point.
Mike Gesicki, TE, Miami Dolphins
Shaking off a slow start to his season, Mike Gesicki had a career game on Sunday when he recorded the most receiving yards ever in a single game by a tight end in Miami Dolphins history. Gesicki totaled 130 yards on eight catches in the Dolphins’ 31-28 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Kevin Givens, DT, San Francisco 49ers
In the San Francisco 49ers’ 31-13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, Kevin Givens recorded one solo tackle.
Robbie Gould, K, San Francisco 49ers
After going a perfect two-for-two on field goal attempts and extra point attempts against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1, Robbie Gould again did not miss. Gould made a 46-yard field goal and hit four extra-point attempts on Sunday in the San Francisco 49ers’ 31-13 win over the New York Jets.
DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Denver Broncos
Off to a slow start this season, DaeSean Hamilton grabbed just one catch for five yards in the Denver Broncos’ 26-21 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
K.J. Hamler, WR, Denver Broncos
Initially delayed by a hamstring injury, K.J. Hamler made his NFL debut in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Hamler had three catches for 48 yards, one rush for nine yards and returned one kickoff for 18 yards in the Denver Broncos’ 26-21 loss.
Chris Hogan, WR, New York Jets
After tallying no receiving yards in Week 1, Chris Hogan was the New York Jets’ leading receiver on Sunday in their 31-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Hogan caught six passes for 75 yards.
Austin Johnson, DT, New York Giants
In the New York Giants’ 17-13 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Austin Johnson recorded one solo tackle.
DaQuan Jones, DE, Tennessee Titans
Following up a solid two-tackle outing in Week 1, DaQuan Jones had three solo tackles and one assisted tackle in the Tennessee Titans’ 33-30 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
Carl Nassib, DE, Las Vegas Raiders
In the Las Vegas Raiders’ first game at Allegiant Stadium, Carl Nassib recorded two solo tackles, one assisted tackle and one quarterback hit in the team’s 34-24 win over the New Orleans Saints on Monday night.
Amani Oruwariye, CB, Detroit Lions
Posting another solid outing, Amani Oruwariye made three solo tackles in the Detroit Lions’ 42-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
John Reid, CB, Houston Texans
After a six-tackle performance in his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs, John Reid had one solo tackle on special teams on Sunday in the Houston Texans’ 33-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Allen Robinson II, WR, Chicago Bears
In the Chicago Bears’ 17-13 win over the New York Giants on Sunday, Allen Robinson II caught three passes for 33 yards.
Miles Sanders, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Despite having missed almost all of training camp and the season opener, Miles Sanders shook off the rust in the Philadelphia Eagles’ 37-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Sanders ran 20 times for 95 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for 36 yards.
This story was originally published September 22, 2020 at 5:03 PM.
