Sorensen and Williams return to Starting Lineups and Ansah gets Injured in NFL Week 14, BYU FB Pro Tracker

In NFL week 14 there were five starters from BYU alumni and three substitutes in action.

There was a lot of moving and shaking this week as Ziggy Ansah left his game early with a shoulder injury which might mark the end of his career in Detroit.  Meanwhile, Michael Davis had his best game of the season with six total tackles for LA.  The New York Jets activated Bronson Kaufusi to the active roster but then listed his as “not active” in their game, while Kai Nacua was added to the Carolina Panther’s practice squad.  And of course Taysom Hill continued to do a little of everything, getting sacked for the Saints but also producing a game-changing blocked punt.

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.

Ezekiel Ansah (DE, Detroit, No. 94). Ansah came in as a substitute in Detroit’s 17-3 victory over Arizona. He recorded one solo tackle and one assisted tackle.  Unfortunately he was injured on the second tackle (shoulder) and left the game.  It is possible that he is done playing for Detroit as he could miss the rest of this season with the injury and enters the off-season as a free agent.  Ansah played five defensive snaps (7%) and one snap on special teams (4%).  Season Totals: Two games as a starter, five as a substitute; nine solo tackles, four assisted tackles, two tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries, four sacks

Michael Davis (CB, Los Angeles, No. 43). Davis started at cornerback in LA’s 26-21 victory over Cincinnati.  He had his best game of the season, recording five solo tackles, and one assisted tackle. Davis played 64 defensive snaps (96%) and five more on special teams (17%). Season Totals: Six games as a starter, seven games as a substitute; 28 solo tackles, six assisted tackles, three passes defended, one forced fumble

John Denney (LS, Miami, No. 92).  Denney came in as a substitute in Miami’s 34-33 victory over New England.  He had ten snaps at long snapper (31%) and recorded no stats.  Season Totals: 13 games as a substitute; one tackle, three assisted tackles

Taysom Hill (QB, New Orleans, No. 7).  Hill came in as a substitute at quarterback in New Orlean’s 28-14 victory over Tampa Bay.  On offense he was sacked (-6 yards), but he made up for it on special teams with a game changing blocked punt. Hill played 7 snaps on offense (11%) and 22 on special teams (85%).  Season Totals: Three games as starter, 10 games as a substitute; 33 rushes for 168 yards, 1 rushing touchdown, three-of-five passing for 64 yards, two receptions for 1 yards, 14 kickoff returns for 348 yards, one punt return for zero yards, four solo tackles, one assisted tackle, one blocked punt.

Bronson Kaufusi (DE, New York Jets, 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. He was activated on December 8th to the active roster but did not play in the Jet’s week 14 game.

Kyle Van Noy (LB, New England, No. 53). Van Noy started in New England’s 34-33 loss to Miami.  He recorded four solo tackles, two assisted tackles, .5 sack, and one quarterback hurry.  Van Noy played 48 snaps on defense (100%) and seven more on special teams (22%).  Season Totals: 13 games as starter; 51 solo tackles, 31 assisted tackles, two passes defended, six quarterback hurries, four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, one touchdown on a blocked punt.

Daniel Sorensen (S, Kansas City, No. 49).  Sorensen got his first start of the season in Kansas City’s 27-24 victory over Baltimore.  He recorded one solo tackle, and two assisted tackles. Sorensen played 71 snaps on defense (100%) and nine more on special teams (31%). Season Totals: One game as starter, three games as a substitute; six solo tackles, six assisted tackles, one pass defended, one fumble recovery.

Fred Warner (LB, San Francisco, No. 48). Warner started in San Francisco’s 20-14 victory over Denver.  He recorded three solo tackles, and one assisted tackle. Warner played 74 snaps on defense (100%) and one more on special teams (4%).  He is currently no. 19 in the NFL in total tackles and no. 15 in solo tackles. Season Totals: 13 games as starter; 68 solo tackles, 27 assisted tackles, three tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, six passes defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery.

Jamaal Williams (RB, Green Bay, No. 30). Williams returned to the starting lineup in Green Bay’s 34-20 victory over Atlanta.  He rushed four  times for 17 yards.  Williams played 24 snaps on offense (37%) and eight on special teams (29%). Season Totals: Six games as starter, seven as substitute; 86 rushes for 310 yards and one touchdown, 14 receptions for 91 yards, four kickoff returns for 96 yards.

Injured Reserve

  • None currently on IR

Practice Squads

  • Micah Hannemann (DB, L.A. Chargers, No. 35). It has been reported that Hannemann was signed to the Chargers practice squad on October 21. Preseason Totals: Four games, six solo tackles, one assisted tackle. He was waived by the Chargers on September 1st and then re-signed to the practice squad on October 21st.
  • Harvey Langi (LB, New York Jets, 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 was picked up by New York and added to their practice squad in October.
  • Tomasi Laulile (DT, New Orleans). Cut by Indianapolis in preseason but picked up by the Saints on September 27. 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 before being signed by New Orleans on September 27.
  • 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. He was released from that squad on October 16th but picked up by the Carolina Pathers and added to their practice squad on December 5.
  • 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.
  • Tejan Koroma (C, Kansas City). After a promising summer was injured and waived prior to preseason.
  • 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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