Oregon Ducks in the NFL Update
The second week of the NFL preseason saw plenty of former Oregon Ducks on the field. In the eight games that have been played so far, 14 Oregon Ducks can be found on the rosters. There were two former Oregon players on the field for the Thursday night games featuring the Browns versus the Packers and the Falcons versus the Bengals.
T.J. Ward is the starting strong safety for the Cleveland Browns. In the Browns 35-10 victory on Thursday night, he had two solo tackles. On the same night, Drew Davis played for the Falcons in their 24-19 loss to the Bengals. Davis is currently fighting for a roster spot. He didn’t have any catches in the game as he was only targeted once.
LeGarrette Blount had a quiet game in the Buccaneers 30-7 loss to the Titans on Friday night. Blount carried the ball eight times for eleven yards. Blount is the starting running back for former Rutgers Head Coach Greg Schiano.
The Baltimore Ravens have two former Ducks on their roster. Ed Dickson did not play in their 27-12 loss to the Detroit Lions on Friday night. Dickson, a tight end, sprained his right shoulder in the Ravens opener against the Falcons last week. The team also boasts arguably the best defensive lineman in the NFL in Haloti Ngata. Ngata did not have any stats in this game.
Jonathan Stewart had the lone touchdown among all Ducks so far this week in the Panthers 23-19 win over the Miami Dolphins. Stewart had five carries for eight yards and a touchdown. He also caught one pass for one yard. For the Dolphins, rookie Josh Kaddu made one tackle. Kaddu is listed as the third string right outside linebacker on the Dolphins depth chart.
The most former Oregon players appeared in the game between the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings won 36-14 in a game that featured four Ducks on the respective rosters. Offensive lineman Mark Asper and free safety Jairus Byrd play for the Bills. Asper is the third string center and Byrd is the starting safety. Byrd had two tackles in the game.
Nick Reed had two passes defended against the Bills in Friday night’s game. Reed is backing up Jared Allen at right defensive end. Geoff Schwartz is also listed as the backup right guard
Wide receiver Demetrius Williams is on the roster of the Jacksonville Jaguars while Fenuki Tupou is a backup right guard for the Saints. Williams did not have any statistics in the Jaguars 27-24 victory on Friday.
In the only game still being played, the Cardinals lead the Raiders 24-17 about midway through the fourth quarter. Adam Snyder is the current starting right guard for the Cardinals.
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