BYU FB Pro Tracker, NFL Week 3: Warner now Leads League in Solo Tackles, Hill does Everything for the Saints

Six Cougars saw action in Week 3 of the NFL’s regular season, with five of those starting for their teams.  Fred Warner continues to dominate at Mike linebacker and now leads the NFL in solo tackles with 28.  Meanwhile, Taysom Hill has become the most feared backup quarterback in the League because opposing coaches never know what he’ll do.  This week he was running back, lined up at wide receiver and quarterback, fielded kickoff returns, and had a special teams tackle.

Below are the summaries, statistics, and snap counts for each of the BYU alumni that played this week, as well as an update on the status of other unsigned players.

Michael Davis (CB, Los Angeles, No. 43). Davis came in as a substitute in L.A.’s 35-23 loss to the Rams.  He played two defensive snaps (3%) and 15 special teams snaps (60%) and recorded no stats. Season Totals: Three games as a substitute; no stats

John Denney (LS, Miami, No. 92).  Denny was the long snapper in Miami’s 28-20 victory over Oakland. He played 10 snaps on special teams (37%) and recorded one tackle. Season Totals: Three games as a starter, one tackle

Taysom Hill (QB, New Orleans, No. 7).  Hill came in as a substitute in several different capacities in New Orlean’s 43-37 victory over Atlanta. He rushed three times for 39 yards, including a 35 yarder, had three kickoff returns for 64 yards, and had one assisted tackle on special teams.  I think it’s safe to say that right now Hill is the most feared backup quarterback in the NFL. Hill played five snaps on offense (6%) and 29 snaps on special teams (81%). Season Totals: Three games as a substitute; three rushes for 39 yards, four kickoff returns for 111 yards, one assisted tackle

Kyle Van Noy (LB, New England, No. 53). Van Noy started at linebacker in New England’s 26-10 loss to Detroit.  He recorded three solo tackles and four assisted tackles. Van Noy played 64 snaps on defense (86%) and eight more on special teams (32%). Season Totals: Three games as starter; nine solo tackles, seven assisted tackles, one pass defended, one tackle for loss, one interception.

Fred Warner (LB, San Francisco, No. 48). Warner started again at linebacker in San Francisco’s 38-27 loss to Kansas City. He again recorded double digit tackles, with nine solo tackles and two assisted tackles, with two tackles for loss and one pass defended.  Warner played all 76 snaps on defense (100%) and 14 snaps on special teams (50%).  He now leads the league in solo tackles with 28 and is no. 2 in the NFL in total tackles with 33.  Season Totals: Three games as starter; 28 solo tackles, five assisted tackles, three tackles for loss, one quarterback hit, two passes defended, one forced fumble.

Jamaal Williams (RB, Green Bay, No. 30).  Williams was the starting running back in Green Bay’s 31-17 loss to Washington. He rushed 5 times for 29 yards and had two receptions for 16 yards.  Williams played 30 offensive snaps (43%). Season Totals: Three games as starter; 36 rushes for 135 yards, five receptions for 28 yards.

Injured Reserve

  • Ezekiel Ansah (DE, Detroit, No. 94). Ansah was not active in Detroit’s 26-10 victory over New England. He suffered a minor shoulder injury in Week one and has practiced on a limited basis.  SeasonTotals: One game as a starter, three solo tackles, one assisted tackle, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit, one sack
  • 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.
  • 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.  He was waived by the Ravens on August 31st but was resigned and added to the practice squad.
  • 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.
  • 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.

About Tyler Christensen 784 Articles
Tyler Christensen is a teacher, sports writer, speaker, and ultra-marathon runner. He is the founder of BYU Insider, D1 Recruiting, Virtual School Assembly, and After the Run. When he's not writing or speaking, he's spending time at home in southern Utah with his amazing wife and four children.
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