Taylor Rapp, Washington Huskies.
The tradition of sending Washington Huskies alumni to the NFL continues strong. In 2021, PNWS once again looks at former UW players in the NFL. One week a month, we update the NFC players, followed by the AFC the following week.
This issue covers Washington Huskies alumni playing in the NFC during weeks 6-9. We start with the West Division home to the Seahawks.
Week 6: On Sunday Night Football, the Seahawks lost the Steelers at Heinz Field 23-20 in overtime. Sidney Jones started the game. However, he picked up a chest injury in the third quarter. He left under his own power but didn’t return. Before the injury, Jones had six tackles. Tight End Will Dissly had two catches on the night for eight yards, including a touchdown.
Week 7: Another close but no cigar day as the Seahawks lost to the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night football 13-10. Sidney Jones was able to return and started in this game. Unfortunately, he only got into 31 percent of the defensive snaps and made two tackles after aggravating the chest injury. Will Dissly played 71 percent of the snaps on offense but had no catches on the night.
Week 8: Possibly the Seahawks’ best game so far on the season. Seattle beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-7. Sidney Jones played 46 percent of the snaps but didn’t start. He finished with four tackles. Will Dissly, for the second week in a row, played a lot against the Jaguars but was not thrown to again.
Week 9: The Seahawks were on a bye week.
San Francisco still has no former Washington Huskies on the team or practice squad. Time to smarten up 49ers.
Week 6: Budda Baker only had two tackles in the win over the Cleveland Browns 37-14. Cornerback Byron Murphy had seven tackles. Linebacker Ezekiel Turner went on the injured list with a bad shoulder. So, he missed this game as well as weeks seven and eight. Tight end Darrell Daniels started the game. However, exiting the game with a hamstring injury and no catches on the day.
Week 7: The Cardinals beat the Houston Texans badly, 31-5. Budda Baker only played 75 percent of the Cardinals’ defensive snaps, the lowest so far on the season. Again, only having two tackles. Bryon Murphy had four tackles and was taken out of the game as well as Baker. Darrell Daniels didn’t play in this game because of his hamstring injury.
Week 8: The Cardinals suffered their first loss of the season at the hands of Green Bay 24-21. Budda Baker was busier in this one, compared to the previous two games, with seven tackles. Also, Baker was criticized after the game as well. On a touchdown pass from Green Bay Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers to receiver Randall Cobb.
Analyst Troy Aikman felt Baker should have been over helping on the play. In his national column, Peter King agreed with Aikman. Of course, in a game like this, and him being one of the best safeties in the NFL, criticism happens now and then. Also, Byron Murphy, who was on Cobb, signaled for Baker to come over to help. On the night, Murphy had six tackles. Darrell Daniels returned for only one offensive play but saw action on special teams.
Week 9: The Cardinals rebounded with a win over NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers 31-17. Budda Baker had seven tackles along with an interception. Byron Murphy had four tackles plus forced a fumble on the 49ers’ tight end George Kittle, resulting in a turnover. Darrell Daniels played 46 percent of the offensive snaps and caught one pass for zero yards.
Week 6: In addition, nose Tackle Greg Gaines started for the third time on the season in the win over the New York Giants 38-11. It didn’t take Gaines long to get noticed as he came on to finish off a sack on the first play of the game and finished with two tackles while he was in there. Taylor Rapp continued his excellent season with five tackles and two interceptions. Coleman Shelton played on special teams.
Week 7: Gaines didn’t start but, he had four tackles in the Rams win over the Detroit Lions. Taylor Rapp had three tackles on the day. Shelton again played exclusively on special teams.
Week 8: Greg Gaines was back in starting at nose tackle against the Houston Texans in the Rams win 38-22. Greg played his most time of the season, assisting on another sack and four tackles. Taylor Rapp didn’t play late but was still in on 70 percent of the defensive snaps and had another three tackles. Coleman Shelton finally was able to play some center being in on nine snaps.
Week 9: The LA Rams lost to Tennessee 28-16. Greg Gaines started for the second week in a row. As a result of starter Sebastian Joseph going on injured reserve, Gaines might be starting the rest of the way. Gaines played except one play.
He is having a good season despite playing in a reserve role until now. Gaines had three tackles along with half a sack. Rapp Rapp had four tackles and didn’t allow a pass beyond 16-yards. Coleman Shelton was back to special teams only.
Week 6: Kaleb McGary put on the covid-19 list. He didn’t miss much because the Falcons had a bye week.
Week 7: McGary remained on the covid-19 list.
Week 8: He was back playing and starting in the Falcons loss to the Carolina Panthers 19-13. The Falcons continue to pass the ball more since not having a lot of success running the ball. Matt Ryan didn’t have a great passing day either, going 20 for 27 with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Week 9: The Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints 27-25. Moreover, McGary continues to tone his passing protection. He went mano-y-mano against Saints Cameron Jordan and held the six-time Pro-Bowl defensive end to one sack and three tackles. Though the Falcons won, they only ran for 34 yards. QB Matt Ryan threw for over 300 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Week 6: Keith Taylor had his best game of the 2021 season against the Minnesota Vikings despite giving up a touchdown on a perfectly thrown pass from Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins. Taylor did cause a fumble and had ten tackles on the day. Shaq Thompson was out with an injury.
Week 7: Keith Taylor was in on three tackles in Carolina’s loss to the New York Giants 25-3. Shaq Thompson is still out.
Week 8: Shaq Thompson returned to the playing field in a big way in the Panthers’ win over the Atlanta Falcons. Subsequently, being in on 10 tackles and having an interception as well. Keith Taylor made the first start of his career, recording two tackles.
Week 9: The Panthers lost to New England 23-6. Shaq Thompson was one player who had a good game despite the loss, making 10 tackles. Keith Taylor started for the second week in a row. Although playing in under 50 percent of the defensive snaps, he had two tackles in the game.
Week 6: Bye week
Week 7: New Orleans running back Dwayne Washington was not able to play against the home team Seahawks because of a neck injury. This injury kept him out for Week 8 as well.
Week 9: Dwayne Washington was back in as the Saints lost to the Atlanta Falcons. He wasn’t in any offensive plays but had two kickoff returns, his first of the season for totaling 39 yards.
Week 6: The Bucs beat the Philadelphia Eagles 28-22. Vita Vea had another good game with two tackles on Thursday Night football and helping out on a sack. What made news was Vea having trouble getting his uniform off to exchange with Philly offensive tackle Jordan Mailata. The incident happened during Erin Andrews’ interview with Bucs running Leonard Fournette.
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka made two tackles in limited action, and Jaydon Mickens had three punt returns for 21 yards.
Week 7: The Bucs crushed the Chicago Bears 38-3. Vea’s job was to crush Chicago’s offensive line and limit their running game. In this one, he had three tackles and a fumble recovery. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka had one tackle. Jaydon Mickens received a promotion from the practice squad.
Week 8: The Tampa Bay Bucs lost to New Orleans 36-27, Vea had one hit and two quarterback hurries in the game. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka was in on one tackle. Joe didn’t play much in this game; however, Tampa Bay head coach Bruce Arians said after the game they should have seen more of him.
Week 9 bye week
Week 6: Meanwhile, in a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals 34-11, Levi Onwuzurike was in on 15 defensive snaps without a tackle along with playing on special teams.
Week 7: The Lions lost to the Los Angeles Rams 28-19. Levi played on 22 snaps with two tackles.
Week 8: The Lions lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 44-6. It is tough to be a Lions fan since they are 0-8. Levi’s most playing time was in 29 snaps on defense.
Week 9: great news for Lions a bye week
Week 6, 7, and 8: Kevin King missed all three games with a shoulder injury. Though the Packers won all three games, they needed King back in action.
Week 9: Kevin King returned. The Packers’ defense played a good game. King had ten tackles on the night.
No other team in the NFC North (Chicago and Minnesota) has any Washington Huskies alumni on their roster.
Week 6: The New York Giants lost to the Los Angeles Rams 38-11. John Ross had two passes thrown his way, but neither one connected. Dante Pettis had five receptions for 48 yards.
Week 7: The Giants beat the Carolina Panthers 25-3. Initially, it was thought John Ross would miss the game with a hamstring injury; instead, he started and had two catches for 27 yards. Pettis had five catches for 39 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, in the third quarter, Pettis was part of a trick play; he threw a 16-yard pass to quarterback Daniel Jones for his first career completion. Danny Shelton had two tackles. Danny Shelton is inactive.
Week 8: The Giants lost to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football 20-17. John Ross had two catches for 72 yards and a kickoff return for 12 yards. However, Dante Pettis had no catches and had to leave the game early with a shoulder injury. Danny Shelton is inactive.
Week 9: The New York Giants beat the Las Vegas Raiders 23-16. Consequently, without John Ross, who missed the game with a quad injury. Pettis didn’t play as he went on injured reserve. Danny Shelton returned with one tackle.
No other team in the NFC East (Dallas, Washington, Philadelphia) has any former Washington Huskies players.
Check back with us next week when we look at Washington Huskies alumni playing for AFC teams.