Seven Cougars saw action in Week 1 of the NFL’s regular season. The standout performance was Fred Warner who had 12 tackles—including a tackle for loss and a forced fumble—in his debut outing. Ziggy Ansah also had a solid first week with four tackles and a sack in the first quarter of his game, but unfortunately his time was cut short as he left in the second quarter with a shoulder injury. Jamaal Williams had 15 carries as the starting running back for Green Bay and John Denney became the most tenured player in the NFL. Michael Davis and Taysom Hill saw good time on special teams while Kyle Van Noy had a solid game for the Pats.
Below are the summaries, statistics, and snap counts for each of the BYU alumni that played in Week 1 as well as an update on the status of other unsigned players.
Ezekiel Ansah (DE, Detroit, No. 94). Ansah started in Detroit’s 48-17 loss to the Jets. He recorded three solo tackles, one assisted tackle, one eight yard sack, one tackle for loss, and one quarterback hit. He did all that in one quarter but unfortunately went to the locker room after just three plays in the second quarter with a shoulder injury. His status for next week is not yet known. Ansah played 19 defensive snaps (32%) and two snaps on special teams (6%). Season Totals: One game as a starter, three solo tackles, one assisted tackle, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit, one sack
Lions Ziggy Ansah overpowers two linemen to sack Sam Darnold: https://t.co/VAP9T4lX16
— Ken Capurso (@KenCapurso) September 10, 2018
Michael Davis (CB, Los Angeles, No. 43). Davis came in as a substitute in L.A.’s 38-28 loss to Kansas City. He played 18 special teams snaps (60%) and recorded no stats. Season Totals: One game as a substitute; no stats
John Denney (LS, Miami, No. 92). Denny was the long snapper in Miami’s 27-20 victory over Tennessee. He played in his 209th consecutive game, which is the longest active streak in the NFL. Season Totals: One game as a starter, no stats
Long Snapper John Denney has now played in his 209th consecutive game, the longest active streak in the @NFL. #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/ELIFxbhWtm
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 9, 2018
Taysom Hill (QB, New Orleans, No. 7). Hill came in as a substitute in New Orlean’s 48-40 loss to Tampa Bay. He played just one snap on offense (2%), but it was a handoff to ? for a touchdown on a trick play. He also played 29 snaps on special teams (88%). Season Totals: One game as a substitute; no stats.
Brees lined up out wide.
Taysom Hill at QB.
Handoff to @A_kamara6.And… SIX! #GoSaints #TBvsNO pic.twitter.com/ww4VyJYuaz
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
Kyle Van Noy (LB, New England, No. 53). Van Noy started at linebacker in New England’s 27-20 victory over Houston. He recorded one solo, two assisted tackles, and one tackle for loss. Van Noy played 49 snaps on defense (66%) and seven more on special teams (22%). Season Totals: One game as starter; one solo tackle, two assisted tackles, one tackle for loss.
Fred Warner (LB, San Francisco, No. 48). Warner started at linebacker in San Francisco’s 24-16 loss to Minnesota. His debut was incredible as he recorded 11 solo tackles, one assisted tackle, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit, one pass defended, and one forced fumble. He played all 71 snaps on defense (100%) and 11 snaps on special teams (39%). Season Totals: One game as starter; 11 solo tackles, one assisted tackle, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit, one pass defended, one forced fumble.
Fred Warner is already making plays. He’ll be paired with Reuben Foster in two weeks. #49ers #SFvsMIN pic.twitter.com/QZuFhp25Ln
— Rob Lowder (@Rob_Lowder) September 9, 2018
FUMBLE!@fred_warner punches it out, @RSherman_25 on the recovery. #SFvsMIN pic.twitter.com/r66OHW4Ol2
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 9, 2018
Jamaal Williams (RB, Green Bay, No. 30). Williams was the starting running back in Green Bay’s 24-23 come-from-behind victory over Chicago. He rushed 15 times for 47 yards and was targeted for two receptions. Williams played 37 offensive snaps (62%). Season Totals: one game at starter; 15 rushes for 47 yards.
Injured Reserve
- Daniel Sorensen (S, Kansas City, No. 49). Sorensen suffered a tibial plateau fracture as an MCL injury and lateral meniscus tear in the knee during the preseason. He underwent surgery in late August and will be re-evaluated at the end of September. Season Totals: No games, no stats
Practice Squads
- Bronson Kaufusi (DE, Baltimore, No. 92). Preseason Totals: Five games, nine solo tackles, three assisted tackles, three tackle for loss, one pass deflection, three quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery, and one sack. Kaufusi was waived by Baltimore on September 1st, and was picked up by the New York Jets the following week and added to their practice squad.
- Dallin Leavitt (S, Oakland, No. 45). Preseason Totals: Four games, 16 solo tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, one pass defended. Leavitt was waived by the Raiders on September 1st but added to their practice squad the next day.
- De’Ondre Wesley (OT, Buffalo, No. 74). Preseason Totals: Three games, no stats. Wesley was waived by the Bills on September 1st but re-signed the following day and added to the practice squad.
Cut Prior to the Regular Season.
- Algie Brown (FB, Kansas City, No. 30). Preseason Totals: Two games, no stats. Was waived by the Chiefs on September 1st and is currently an unsigned free agent.
- Micah Hannemann (DB, L.A. Chargers, No. 35). Preseason Totals: Four games, six solo tackles, one assisted tackle. He was waived by the Chargers on September 1st and is an unsigned free agent.
- Tejan Koroma (C, Kansas City). After a promising summer was injured and waived prior to preseason.
- Harvey Langi (LB, New England, No. 48). Langi suffered an internal laceration after a hit in the first week of the preseason sat the remainder of the preseason due to concerns with his kidney. He was waived by the Patriots on September 1st and is currently an unsigned free agent. It has been reported that the Patriots plan to sign him to their practice squad if he clears waivers (and it was reported here that he was, but this is unconfirmed).
- Tomasi Laulile (DT, Indianapolis, No. 66). Preseason Totals: Three games, three solo tackles, two assisted tackles, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hurry, one sack. Laulile was waived September 1st by the Colts, and worked out by Houston on September 4th but he is currently an unsigned free agent.
- Jordan Leslie (WR, Denver, No. 19). Preseason Totals: Four games, nine receptions for 110 yards, one touchdown, two tackles. Leslie was waived by the Broncos on September 1st and is currently an unsigned free agent.
- Kai Nacua (S, Baltimore, No. 31). Preseason Totals: Four games, 12 solo tackles, five assisted tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, one pass defended, one interception for a touchdown. Despite his monster final game Nacua was waived by the Ravens on August 31st and is currently an unsigned free agent.
- Colby Pearson (WR, Atlanta, No. 84). Preseason Totals: Two games, no stats. Pearson was waived by the Falcons on August 24th and is currently an unsigned free agent.
- Jonah Trinnaman (WR, New York, No. 9). Preseason totals: One game, no stats. Trinnaman was waived by the Jets on August 30th and is currently an unsigned free agent.
For more information on each of these Pros, click on their names. It will redirect you to their player profiles which include short summaries of their BYU and NFL careers. During the season I will update these profiles with week-to-week game summaries and statistics. Note: Not all the profiles are up right now, but I’ll be adding most of them in the next week or two.