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Buffs in the NFL
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December 10th
Other former Buffs shine in Week 14 NFL games
From BuffStampede.com …
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December 8th
Shedeur Sanders’ 364 yards passing Sunday sets new record for the most passing yards by a former Buff
New record for a Buff: Shedeur’s 364 yards passing against Tennessee on Sunday are the most ever by a former CU player in an NFL game.
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November 24th
Dillon Gabriel cleared, but Shedeur Sanders to remain Cleveland’s starting quarterback
From ESPN … Rookie Shedeur Sanders will start at quarterback in Sunday’s home game against the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski announced Monday.
Sanders, a fifth-round pick, will remain the starter even though fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, a third-round pick, has cleared the concussion protocol, Stefanski said
With Gabriel sidelined, Sanders completed 11 of 20 passes for 209 yards with one touchdown and an interception in the Browns’ 24-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday in his first NFL start.
“The No. 1 job of a quarterback is to win,” Stefanski said. “So, excited to get that first win under his belt. And the next thing is improvement, and that’s what young players do. Certainly, young quarterbacks do. You get one game better, and that’s just from working at it. So, that’ll be our focus.”
When asked if Sanders starting would be a week-to-week decision, Stefanski said: “I’m just going to focus on this week. Not going to get much past this week.”
Sanders, who became the 42nd quarterback to start for the Browns since 1999, also became the first Cleveland quarterback to win his first NFL start since Eric Zeier in 1995. The victory ended a 17-game losing streak for the Browns in games with a quarterback making his first career start. That was the longest streak by any franchise since 1950, when QB starts were first recorded.
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November 23rd
Shedeur Sanders becomes the first Cleveland Browns quarterback in 17 tries to win their first start
From ESPN … Myles Garrett getting three of 10 sacks by a ferocious Browns defense normally would be the top storyline for a struggling Cleveland team.
But rookie Shedeur Sanders’ NFL starting debut always figured to overshadow anything else the Browns accomplished Sunday.
Sanders made the plays the Browns needed, passing for 209 yards and a touchdown to help Cleveland to a 24-10 victory over the Raiders, the fifth straight loss for Las Vegas.
The Browns (3-8) ended a three-game skid while starting their 42nd quarterback since the franchise’s return in 1999. Sanders replaced fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, who’s in the concussion protocol, and ended a 17-game losing streak by Cleveland QBs making their first start.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski wouldn’t commit to sticking with Sanders as the starter when Cleveland hosts San Francisco next Sunday.
“I’m not going to get into that,” Stefanski said. “Proud of him and proud of this offense. There are a ton of things to learn from, but I’m just going to worry about today.”
Sanders can thank the Browns’ defensive front, which was no match for the Raiders’ porous offensive line. Las Vegas has allowed 20 sacks over the past three weeks.
Garrett now has 18 sacks this season to break his franchise record of 16, set twice. With six games left, he needs five sacks to break the NFL record of 22 1/2 set by Michael Strahan in 2001 and T.J. Watt in 2021.
… Continue reading story here …
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November 19th
Shedeur Sanders to get his first career NFL start Sunday v. Raiders
From NFL.com … Shedeur Sanders made his NFL debut in Week 11.
In Week 12, Sanders will make his first start for the Browns against the host Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski announced on Wednesday.
Sanders replaced fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel after the latter suffered a concussion during the team’s Week 11 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. With Gabriel in the league’s concussion protocol, Sanders will become the third Browns starting QB this season following Joe Flacco and Gabriel.
The rookie will take first-team reps in practice throughout the week for the first time.
“I think you’re always trying to do that with all your players to make sure that they are comfortable, and it’s no different with Shedeur in there,” Stefanski said Wednesday. “You want to make sure that all the concepts are things that he feels confident in. Obviously, having been around him over the months, you get a good sense of the things that fit his eyes. So, definitely want to lean into those types of things, and he’s working very hard.”
Sanders admittedly struggled against the Ravens in the 23-16 setback, completing just 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards and an interception with a 13.5 rating.
In his time against the Ravens, Sanders got his first work with the Cleveland first-team offense after not taking snaps with the No. 1s in the preseason or practices.
The son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, Shedeur starred under his father at Colorado before he became arguably the largest story of the 2025 NFL Draft when he dropped from a potential first-rounder to being taken by Cleveland in the fifth round at No. 144 overall.
Now, he’s got his shot at proving all the naysayers wrong when he leads the Browns into Week 12.
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November 18th
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November 11th
Travis Hunter undergoes surgery; out for the season
From ESPN … Jaguars rookie receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on his right knee Tuesday, the team announced.
Hunter had the lateral collateral ligament repaired in Dallas by Dr. Dan Cooper and Dr. Kevin Kaplan, who is the Jaguars’ head team physician. There was no additional damage to the knee, the team announced, and Hunter is expected to return to full football activities within six months.
Hunter was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 31, one day after he suffered a noncontact injury during practice while on defense. The team wanted to confirm the severity of Hunter’s injury and how much time he would miss after an initial MRI revealed that Hunter’s ACL was intact.
Further testing revealed the damage to the LCL.
Hunter’s last game was his best offensive performance as a pro; he caught eight passes for 104 yards and his first NFL touchdown during a 35-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in London in Week 7.
The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner has 28 catches for 298 yards and a touchdown. On defense, he has 15 tackles and three pass breakups. He played 67% of the team’s offensive snaps and 36% of the defensive snaps until his injury.
Hunter was moving into the role as the team’s No. 1 receiver, partly because of his skills and playmaking ability but also because of Brian Thomas Jr.’s struggles (five drops).
… Continue reading story here …
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October 31st
Travis Hunter placed on Injured Reserve; out at least four weeks
From ESPN … Jaguars wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter will be placed on injured reserve after suffering a noncontact right knee injury during Thursday’s practice, but the team is still trying to determine the extent of the injury.
Hunter will miss at least four games, but it could be more depending on what further tests reveal, coach Liam Coen said Friday. The earliest Hunter could return would be the Week 13 game at the Tennessee Titans.
“We’re currently assessing the injury just to determine the best course of action moving forward for Travis and for the team,” Coen said. “Feel bad for the guy, for the kid, for our team, for everything, but he’s in good spirits right now. Minor setback for a major comeback. That’s just the way it’s got to be.”
The injury occurred while Hunter was on defense during practice.
Hunter was coming off his best offensive performance as a pro prior to the Jaguars’ bye week, catching eight passes for 104 yards and his first NFL touchdown during a 35-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in London.
The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner has 28 catches for 298 yards and a touchdown. On defense, he has 15 tackles and three pass breakups. He has played 67% of the team’s offensive snaps and 36% of the defensive snaps.
Hunter was moving into the role as the team’s No. 1 wide receiver, partly because of his skills and playmaking ability but also because of Brian Thomas Jr.’s struggles (five drops). The injury is forcing the Jaguars to adjust their offensive game plan for Sunday’s game at the Las Vegas Raiders as well as for as long as Hunter is out.
“It is definitely not ideal timing,” Coen said. “Not that any injuries are ever ideal timing, but got to believe the makeup, his general attitude towards life and how he handles dealing with specific situations — I have a lot of belief in Travis as a person, as a competitor, to come back better than ever.”
… Continue reading story here …
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Names and Numbers after Week Eight in the NFL
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— Travis Hunter, WR/DB, Jacksonville … On a bye this past week. It seems like every week, Hunter’s participation on both sides of the ball is increasing. With a week off to rest and scheme for more plays for Travis, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner will only be more active. There was also a new “Heisman House” commercial shown on Monday night football, so Travis has that going for him, which is nice.
- For the season … 28 receptions for 298 yards and a touchdown … 15 tackles (11 solo) … three passes defended …
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— Nate Landman, LB, Los Angeles Rams … Also on a bye this past week. Landman is on pace to become the first Buff to be named to the NFL Pro Bowl since offensive lineman David Bakhtiari in 2020.
- For the season … 67 tackles (high on team), with 33 solo … 1.5 sacks; two tackles for loss … four passes defended … one forced fumble … two fumble recoveries …
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— Jimmy Horn Jr., WR, Carolina Panthers … In Carolina, Jimmy Horn Jr. continued seeing limited action, and was in for only a handful of plays in a blowout loss to Buffalo. The rookie wideout recorded one target for zero yards, and two rushes for nine yards, a modest line that undersells his value to the Panthers offense. With a blowout loss to the Bills, you would think Carolina would find ways to involve Horn … but to date, not so much.
- For the season … Five catches for 65 yards … Six carries for 37 yards …
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— Chidobe Awuzie, DB, Baltimore Ravens … Finally off of injured reserve, Awuzie saw limited action in the Ravens win over Chicago. He should be a full go for Thursday night’s game against the Miami Dolphins.
- For the season … 20 tackles, 10 solo … one pass defended …
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— LaJohntay Wester, WR/PR, Baltimore Ravens … Baltimore finally won a game this past weekend, defeating Chicago, 30-16, after four straight losses. Wester, though, did not contribute any stats to the game.
- For the season … Has not caught a pass yet, but does have seven punt returns for 111 yards …
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— Isaiah Oliver, DB, New York Jets … Did see some additional playing time in New York’s 39-38 win over Cincinnati, the Jets first win of the season. Oliver contributed one tackle to the victory.
- For the season … 22 tackles (13 solo) …
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— Shedeur Sanders, QB, Cleveland Browns … Shedeur Sanders was listed inactive this past week with a minor back issue. Sanders was added to the Browns’ injury report with back tightness one day before Cleveland was set to take the field in New England. The news came after Sanders was seen on the field going through a pregame workout. Sanders being ruled inactive would suggest that his back did not respond well to the workout. His absence comes at a time when curiosity around his NFL debut continues to grow louder and speculation about possible trades are circulating in the media. Considering how bad the Browns are this season, it may be for the best that Dillon Gabriel is starting … and absorbing the punishment (and the L’s).
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— Ahkello Witherspoon, DB, Los Angeles Rams … Witherspoon sustained a broken clavicle three weeks ago against the Titans. He has been placed on IR and there is no timetable for his return.
- For the season … Three tackles (all three solo) … One pass defended …
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— BJ Green, DE, Jacksonville Jaguars … Had one tackle against the Rams this past Sunday.
- For the season … two tackles, both unassisted …
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Other Buffs … On active rosters …
- WR Xavier Weaver – Arizona Cardinals
- TE Brady Russell – Seattle Seahawks
Other Buffs … On injured reserve or on practice squads …
4 Replies to “Buffs in the NFL”
The amazing thing about Shedeur? He is the only CU qb to have thrown a touchdown in the nfl since Kordell. Crazy.
It is fun seeing him do well. Even if I can’t really see it bc Browns games don’t get shown out here often.
Go Buffs
nothing has changed
I spent Jan 4 1975 to Jan 1 1976 in San Francisco. I couldn’t get any news at all about the Buff’s or the Broncos. Northern Cal was the most provincial place for news I have ever seen. Remarkable for a city that is so cosmopolitan. I had to be satisfied watching Muncie at Cal, Jackson and Fingers with the As, (quit watching baseball since) and Rick Barry with the Warriors. 49er’s were too much for a ticket on my 7 bucks an hour.
Hoping his success keeps growing. In spite of the dink and dunk padding I always thought as a Buff he had a better than average touch on the deep passes.
Speaking of dink and dunk I saw one bubble screen Shedeur threw that went for a score because it had real blocking out in front of it You could really call it a screen unlike shurmur’s version where the naked receiver catches the ball and screams “yikes!!!”
Actually, watched the Brown/Raiders (ugh, like watching the Washington Generals play themselves), Shedeur actually came out smoking, taking shots and slinging. Then he threw the bad pick (0% chance of completion) and got super conservative (and the game got super boring:). Overall, would give it neutral grade…the early glimpses wiped out by the INT, then just dink/dunk ’til then end.