Tag: Pro Dawgs

Washington former edge Zion Tupuola-Fetui signs with Saskatchewan Roughriders

Former Washington Huskies star Zion Tupuola-Fetui will begin his professional football journey in the CFL.

Former Washington Huskies edge rusher Zion Tupuola-Fetui is resilient. During the season, he played through a torn labrum. Following Washington’s victory over Stanford, he learned of his father’s passing.

After playing the following week against USC with a heavy heart and forcing a clutch fumble of quarterback Caleb Williams in a 52-42 win, he gave a tear-filled tribute to his father in a postgame interview that pulled at every Husky fan’s heartstrings.

The winner of the Don James Perseverance Award at the team’s postseason banquet was one of the 15 Washington players to enter the 2024 NFL draft and was the only one who didn’t find a home, either through the draft or free agency.

One could attest that he was overlooked due to the injury that he played through during his senior season and opted to have surgery following the national championship before getting a chance to showcase his talents at the NFL combine or the East-West Shrine game.

The Pearl City, Hawaii native still held out hope that he was meant to continue with his football career. This past weekend, those hopes became a reality when the Saskatchewan Roughriders signed him to their practice squad.

However, that could be a short stint, given the stats he was able to amass over his 60 career games on Montlake. In that time, he recorded 88 total tackles, 16 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, and five forced fumbles.

https://twitter.com/sskroughriders/status/1835362075960569995

 

Shaq Thompson has a big day against the Los Angeles Chargers

Former Huskies star and current Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson had 14 tackles in a 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Carolina Panthers haven’t had many bright spots in two blowout losses, one to the New Orleans Saints by a score of 47-10 last week and one on Sunday to the Los Angeles Chargers, which ended 26-3.

Linebacker Shaq Thompson, now in his tenth season with the Panthers, has been one of the few exceptions. The former Washington Huskies star had 10 tackles against the Saints in Week 1, following up that performance with 14 tackles in the loss to the Chargers.

Thompson primarily stopped Los Angeles’ running backs after they got through an initial hole, as Panthers Pro Bowl defensive tackle Derrick Brown went on injured reserve before Week Two.

Former Husky Elijah Molden, now with the Chargers after being traded to Los Angeles before the season, had an interception of Panthers quarterback Bryce Young on Sunday as well. Molden added seven tackles as the starting safety next to Chargers star Derwin James.

Tight end Will Dissly chipped in three receptions for 29 yards for the Chargers.

Thompson’s 25 tackles through two games will likely be atop the NFL leaderboards unless Chicago Bears linebacker TJ Edwards or Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun has 10 or more tackles on Sunday Night Football or Monday Night Football, respectively.

The Panthers play the Las Vegas Raiders next week, who do not have a Huskies alum on their roster.

Vita Vea ruled out with knee injury vs. Detroit Lions

Former Washington Huskies star Vita Vea was having a strong day against the Detroit Lions before his day ended early.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles has made it clear that he loves former Washington Huskies star defensive tackle Vita Vea. He utilizes the former No. 12 overall pick in a variety of ways, lining him up all over the defensive line, from nose tackle to edge rusher, and even occasionally at middle linebacker.

In a rematch of an intense 2023 playoff matchup between the Buccaneers and Detroit Lions, Bowles unleashed Vea against coach Dan Campbell’s impressive running back pairing of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery while also pressuring quarterback Jared Goff when he dropped back to pass.

Vea showed off his elite athleticism, batting down a Goff pass while walking All-Pro center Frank Ragnow back toward the quarterback.

https://twitter.com/Buccaneers/status/1835383284055851110

However, Vea was ruled out with a knee injury in the third quarter after suffering a bit of bad luck when his teammate, edge rusher YaYa Diaby, rolled up on his leg at the end of a play, causing an awkward fall for the 6-foot-4, 347-pound defensive tackle.

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Rome Odunze game time decision for Sunday Night Football

After suffering a sprained MCL in Week One, Rome ODunze has a shot to play on Sunday Night Football.

Former Washington Huskies wide receiver and first-round pick Rome Odunze will be a game-time decision for the Chicago Bears ahead of their Week Two matchup on Sunday Night Football with the Houston Texans.

The 2023 unanimous All-American suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his NFL debut against the Tennessee Titans when his teammate, fellow wide receiver Velus Jones Jr., rolled up on his leg while Odunze was run-blocking.

Odunze did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday but was upgraded to limited participation on Friday. When asked how his recovery was coming along, he said he felt confident and that his knee was moving better, adding that he is experiencing less pain in the area.

Coach Matt Eberflus elevated wide receiver Colin Johnson from the practice squad since both Odunze and Keenan Allen, who is dealing with a heel injury, are both listed as questionable.

The Bears are required to release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to the 8:20 PM EST kickoff. If Odunze is active and Allen is unable to suit up, the No. 9 overall pick could see a significant target share against a Texans defense that allowed 212 yards and two long touchdown passes to Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson in the season opener.

Dillon Johnson returns to Carolina Panthers practice squad

Dillon Johnson has made his return to the Carolina Panthers.

The 2024 NFL season has been a bit of a yo-yo for former Washington Huskies running back Dillon Johnson. He first found himself signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans before he was released early into training camp and quickly picked up by the Carolina Panthers.

Johnson was stellar during the preseason, leading the Panthers in rushing with 89 rushing yards and scoring the only touchdown of their loss to the New York Jets.

Carolina head coach Dave Canales brought the Husky standout back to complete the 17-man practice squad just before the kickoff of the new NFL season, replacing wide receiver Praise Olatoke of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program.

The All-Pac-12 second-team honoree was cut by Carolina following his big out against the Jets, falling victim to a deep running back room that had veterans Raheem Blackshear and Mike Boone compete for the final spot at the position while the team’s second-round pick Jonathan Brooks is still on the mend from a torn ACL.

Depending on the health of the two veterans, Johnson could find himself activated on game day at some point during the season.

https://twitter.com/PanthersAnalyst/status/1824990347057054088

 

Will Simpson named to MLB Pipeline’s Prospect Team of the Week

Washington alum Will Simpson was named to MLB Pipeline’s Prospect Team of the Week following a torrid week with Double-A Midland.

Former Washington Huskies star Will Simpson has been one of the biggest risers in the Oakland Athletics farm system during the 2024 season. He is now ranked as the No. 29 prospect in the A’s system and was recently promoted to the team’s AA affiliate, the Midland RockHounds.

After posting a .270 batting average with an .853 OPS at High-A Lansing, Simpson has done nothing but hit since arriving in Midland. In six games last week, the former Husky infielder posted a jaw-dropping .524 batting average with an astounding 1.327 OPS.

He has also hit 1 home run and totaled 7 runs batted in since his promotion and helped the RockHounds secure a spot in the Texas League playoffs. While the A’s seem to be counting on their No. 2 prospect, Nick Kurtz, as their first baseman of the future, Simpson could end up becoming a viable option at the big league level.

Simpson mainly manned third base during his time on Montlake and has spent time at both corners of the diamond this season, and if he can continue swinging the bat through the MILB playoffs, he could earn an invite to spring training next year and may find himself in the running for another promotion soon.

https://twitter.com/UW_Baseball/status/1833537926753620276

Rome Odunze suffers sprained MCL in NFL debut

The Chicago Bears could be without Rome Odunze for the next few weeks.

The Chicago Bears could be without former Washington Huskies star and their No. 9 overall draft pick, Rome Odunze, for the next few weeks. On Monday, Bears coach Matt Eberflus announced that the 2023 All-American would have to undergo an MRI for a potential knee injury following the team’s 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans.

“The only real concern we have is Rome’s knee,” Eberflus said. “We’ll have to see where that is, and he’s getting an MRI today.”

It didn’t take long for the team to get the results, which showed that Odunze had suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain. It appears he sustained the injury while engaged in a run block in the fourth quarter when Bears receiver Velus Jones Jr. rolled up on his right leg.

Reports from media members after the game stated that Odunze was walking around in the locker room and didn’t appear injured but could have been experiencing more pain when he returned to the Bears facility on Monday.

His return to the field will be based on his pain tolerance and movement ability, and Odunze might not miss much, if any, time. It appears he got off way easier than his former Husky teammate, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, who suffered a PCL sprain and was placed on short-term injured reserve on Monday.

Rome Odunze to undergo MRI on Monday

Rome Odunze suffered a knee injury in his NFL debut against the Tennessee Titans.

Rome Odunze’s debut with the Chicago Bears was a lot like most other rookie receivers from the 2024 class on Sunday, quiet. The former Washington Huskies star was held to just 1 reception for 11 yards on 4 targets and also suffered an uncharacteristic fumble.

However, his quiet debut could have been partially due to a knee injury.

Coach Matt Eberflus announced during his Monday press conference that the No. 9 overall pick in April’s draft suffered a knee injury while run-blocking in Chicago’s 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans.

“The only real concern we have is Rome’s knee,” Eberflus told the media. “We’ll have to see where that is, and he’s getting an MRI today. We’ll see where it goes from there, and I’ll be able to let you know more on Wednesday.”

Some media members stated that Odunze didn’t appear to be injured in the locker room after the game, which could mean that he is just experiencing some soreness or discomfort and that the MRI is nothing more than precautionary.

Jalen McMillan scores touchdown, exacts revenge on first NFL catch

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan scored a touchdown on his first career reception, beating a former Michigan corner.

Tampa Bay seems to be a popular destination for Husky football players, as the Buccaneers have six former Washington standouts on their roster.

Among them is rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan, who was drafted by the Bucs in the third round this April after helping the Huskies to a berth in the national championship game.

Washington fans are familiar with McMillan’s big play ability, but the NFL was introduced to one of Michael Penix Jr.’s best targets in an explosive way on Sunday, as McMillan scored a touchdown on his first career reception.

The rookie ran a corner route from the slot, beating Washington Commanders nickelback Mike Sainristil down the field and coming wide open. Sainristil, a fellow rookie, was on the Michigan team that beat the Huskies in the national championship eight months ago.

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield found McMillan, who waltzed into the end zone for his first career NFL touchdown.

McMillan is the first of Washington’s trio of standout receivers to score in the NFL, as both Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk were held out of the end zone in their NFL debuts.

The touchdown also helped wipe away the vision of a ball bouncing off McMillan’s outstretched fingertips earlier in the game. The rookie was open down the sideline, but a Mayfield throw came in just a bit high and clattered off the hands of the receiver, who could’ve scored his first touchdown two quarters earlier.

Instead, McMillan settled for revenge on the Wolverines. The touchdown catch put the Buccaneers up 30-14 on the Commanders on the first play of the fourth quarter, bringing Huskies East one step closer to a Week One victory.

Former Washington CB Kevin King elevated to Atlanta Falcons roster

After initially being released and re-signed to the practice squad, Kevin King will begin the season on the 53-man roster with the Atlanta Falcons.

Former Washington Huskies cornerback Kevin King has had a rollercoaster of a preseason with the Atlanta Falcons. King hasn’t seen action in an NFL game since 2021 after taking off the 2022 season for personal reasons and then suffering a torn Achilles tendon in an offseason workout before the start of training camp in 2023.

The Atlanta Falcons signed the former No. 33 overall pick last April to a one year, $1.25 million contract. That contract became void when the Falcons surprisingly released King after having a stellar preseason. However, general manager Terry Fontenot immediately signed him back to the practice squad the same day.

This move appears to be what is known as a “veteran handshake deal” with both parties agreeing to release the player, only to sign them back to the practice squad to make room for rookies to be protected on the 53 man roster and not leaving them vulnerable to being claimed by another team on waivers. Since King is a multi-year veteran, he doesn’t have to go through the waiver process.

The Falcons will be able to elevate King a total of three times before having to officially sign him to the roster.