Ziggy sets All-Time Thanksgiving Day Sack Record in NFL Week 12: BYU Football Pro Tracker

Ziggy did what Ziggy does best–which is getting sacks on Thanksgiving day as he got one more this year to set the all-time NFL Thanksgiving day sack record.  He started this week along with Michael Davis, Kyle Van Noy, and Fred Warner.  Coming in as substitutes were John Denney, Taysom Hill, and Jamaal Williams.

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 23-16 loss to Chicago on Thanksgiving day. He recorded two solo tackles, one assisted tackle, one sack, and two quarterback hurries.  Ansah played 29 defensive snaps (50%) and one snap on special teams (4%).  Season Totals: One game as a starter, four as a substitute; eight solo tackles, three assisted tackles, two tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries, four sacks

Michael Davis (CB, Los Angeles, No. 43). Davis started at cornerback in LA’s 45-10 victory over Arizona.  He recorded one solo tackle, one assisted tackle, and two more solo tackles on special teams. he played 47 defensive snaps (100%) and 16 more on special teams (57%). Season Totals: Four games as a starter, seven games as a substitute; 22 solo tackles, five assisted tackles, two passes defended, one forced fumble

John Denney (LS, Miami, No. 92).  Denney came in as a substitute in Miami’s 27-24 loss to Indianapolis.  He had ten snaps at long snapper (34%) and recorded no stats.  Season Totals: Eleven games as a substitute; one tackle, three assisted tackles

Taysom Hill (QB, New Orleans, No. 7).  After starting the last three games at the tight end and wide receiver positions, Hill came in this week as a substitute at quarterback in New Orlean’s 31-17 victory over Atlanta  He rushed twice for 13 yards, returned a kickoff 32 yards and was sacked. Hill played 11 snaps on offense (19%) and 18 on special teams (78%).  Season Totals: Three games as starter, eight games as a substitute; 32 rushes for 174 yards, 1 rushing touchdown, three-of-five passing for 64 yards, two receptions for 1 yards, 12 kickoff returns for 301 yards, one punt return for zero yards, four solo tackles, one assisted tackle.

Kyle Van Noy (LB, New England, No. 53). Van Noy started in New England’s 27-13 victory over the New York Jets.  He recorded five solo tackles, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hurry, and one pass defended.  Van Noy played 63 snaps on defense (98%) and nine more on special teams (33%).  Season Totals: Eleven games as starter; 43 solo tackles, 28 assisted tackles, two passes defended, four quarterback hurries, four tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, one touchdown on a blocked punt.

Daniel Sorensen (S, Kansas City, No. 49).  Kansas City had a bye week. Season Totals: Two games as a substitute; four solo tackles, three assisted tackles

Fred Warner (LB, San Francisco, No. 48). Warner started in San Francisco’s 27-9 loss to Tampa Bay.  He recorded six solo tackles, one assisted tackle, and one pass defended. Warner played 72 snaps on defense (99%).  He is currently no. 17 in the NFL in total tackles and no. 8 in solo tackles. Season Totals: Eleven games as starter; 64 solo tackles, 20 assisted tackles, three tackles for loss, one quarterback hit, six passes defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery.

Jamaal Williams (RB, Green Bay, No. 30). Williams came in as a substitute in Green Bay’s 24-17 loss to Minnesota.  He had one rush for five yards and his first kickoff return for 23 yards.  Williams played 13 snaps on offense (25%) and nine on special teams (32%). Season Totals: Five games as starter, six as substitute; 75 rushes for 280 yards and one touchdown, ten receptions for 77 yards, one kickoff return for 23 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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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