Lions receiver Golden Tate made the most noise of former Irish players in the NFL this week.
Tate posted 116 receiving yards on eight receptions in Detroit’s 24-17 win over the New York Jets.
Several former Irish players made significant contributions in the Minnesota Vikings’ 41-28 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Vikings safety Robert Blanton recorded seven combined tackles, and fellow safety Harrison Smith added six combined tackles.
On the other side of the ball in that game, Falcons linebacker Prince Shembo racked up eight combined tackles. Shembo had nine tackles going into the game.
Cowboys offensive lineman Zack Martin and the rest of Dallas’ offensive line continued to provide gaps for Dallas’ run game as the Cowboys beat the New Orleans Saints, 38-17. Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (not a former Irish player) took advantage, rushing for 149 yards and two touchdowns.
Etc.
Jets cornerback Darrin Walls had four combined tackles in New York’s loss to the Lions.
Colts defensive back Sergio Brown had one tackle in Indianapolis’ 41-17 win over the Tennessee Titans.
Bears backup quarterback Jimmy Clausen had one completion on one attempt in Chicago’s 38-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Raiders defensive end Justin Tuck had a quiet game with two combined tackles as Oakland lost to the Miami Dolphins, 38-14.
49ers defensive tackle Ian Williams had one tackle in San Francisco’s 26-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Monday Night Football
The Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals play in one of the Monday night matchups. Arizona has four former Irish on its roster: tight end John Carlson, wide receiver Michael Floyd, running back Robert Hughes and tight end Troy Niklas. Former Irish safety David Bruton is on Denver’s roster.
The New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs play in the other Monday game. Former Irish tight end Anthony Fasano is on the Chiefs’ roster.
Injuries
Chargers linebacker Manti Te’o (foot) sat out San Diego’s 33-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Te’o, who had been dealing with more minor foot injuries since the pre-season, fractured his right foot in week three. He will miss several weeks.
Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert and defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore remain on injured reserve.
Eifert dislocated his elbow in week one against the Ravens, and ESPN reports that, per NFL injured reserve rules, he would be eligible to return to practice in week seven and could play in week 10.
Lewis-Moore is recovering from surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon suffered during the preseason.
Texans defensive tackle Louis Nix (knee) was put on injured reserve Wednesday.
Lions running back Theo Riddick (hamstring) did not play the fourth quarter of Detroit’s win over the Jets. He status for next week is questionable.
Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (groin) will have sports hernia surgery and miss six weeks, NBC reports. Rudolph was injured in week three against the Saints.
