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How every former Wisconsin Badger performed in NFL Week 2

ben kenney
·6 min read
1

Week 2 of the 2023 NFL season reached its conclusion last night, capped off by a record-setting performance by former Wisconsin linebacker T.J. Watt.

Former Wisconsin Badgers were in the middle of the action throughout the weekend. We saw a miraculous Hail Mary by Broncos QB Russell Wilson to keep his team alive, Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson find the end zone and many online call for the Cleveland Browns to trade for Jonathan Taylor after the injury to star RB Nick Chubb.

Related: Big Ten Power Rankings after Week 3: Wisconsin rises after ugly win

Taylor unfortunately remains on the PUP list until Week 4, so he is not yet included in this piece. Here is how the rest of the Wisconsin products performed in NFL Week 2:

QB Russell Wilson (Denver Broncos)

Sep 17, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton talks with quarterback Russell Wilson (3) in the fourth quarter against the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/washington/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Washington Commanders;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Washington Commanders</a> at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Week 2 Stats: 18/32 passing, 308 yards, three touchdowns, one interception, 53.5 QBR

Years at Wisconsin: 2011

NFL Season: 12th

Notes: Nine-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl Champion with Seattle (2014). One of the best quarterbacks of the generation.

OLB T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers)

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 18: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates a tackle against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium on September 18, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 18: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates a tackle against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium on September 18, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Week 2 Stats: Four tackles, one sack, 1.5 run stuffs, one fumble recovery, one touchdown

Years at Wisconsin: 2013-2016

NFL Season: 7th

Notes: Five-time Pro Bowler (2018-2022), three-time First-Team All-Pro (2019-2021). Led NFL in sacks in 2020 (15), 2021 (22.5). 2021 NFL Defensive Player Of The Year.

OLB Andrew Van Ginkel (Miami Dolphins)

Miami Dolphins linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43) stops <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/tampa-bay/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Tampa Bay Buccaneers;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> running back Giovani Bernard (25) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Week 1 Stats: Six total tackles, one sack

Years at Wisconsin: 2017-2018

NFL Season: 5th

Notes: Scored a 78-yard fumble recovery in 2020, appeared in every game for the Dolphins in each of the last three seasons.

ILB Jack Sanborn (Chicago Bears)

Chicago Bears linebacker Jack Sanborn (57) stretches with teammates at the NFL football team’s practice facility in Lake Forest, Ill., Wednesday, May 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears linebacker Jack Sanborn (57) stretches with teammates at the NFL football team’s practice facility in Lake Forest, Ill., Wednesday, May 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Week 1 Stats: four total tackles, two run stuffs

Years at Wisconsin: 2018-2021

NFL Season: 2nd

Notes: Made Chicago Bears roster after being signed as an undrafted free agent, started six games in 2022 before injury ended his season

ILB T.J. Edwards (Chicago Bears)

Mar 16, 2023; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards speaks during a press conference at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2023; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards speaks during a press conference at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Week 1 Stats: 12 total tackles, one run stuff

Years at Wisconsin: 2014-2018

NFL Season: 5th

Notes: Went from undrafted free agent to starting all 17 games for NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles in 2022, signed 3-year, $19.5 million contract with the Chicago Bears this offseason

RB Dare Ogunbowale (Houston Texans)

Sep 17, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back Dare Ogunbowale (33) dives for first down Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, during a game against the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/indianapolis/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Indianapolis Colts;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Indianapolis Colts</a> at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jenna Watson-USA TODAY Sports

Week 2 Stats: Two carries, four rushing yards

Years at Wisconsin: 2012-2016

NFL Season: 7th

Notes: Former undrafted free agent now on his fourth team in seven years. Appeared in all 17 games each of the last two seasons, primarily on special teams

DL Isaiahh Loudermilk (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Aug 24, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/40139" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Nick Herbig;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Nick Herbig</a> (51) reacts with defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) after sacking <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/atlanta/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Atlanta Falcons;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Atlanta Falcons</a> quarterback <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/31219" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Logan Woodside;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Logan Woodside</a> (11) (not shown) during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Week 2 Stats: Zero statistics recorded

Years at Wisconsin: 2016-2020

NFL Season: 3rd

Notes: Appeared in 26 games in his first two seasons in Pittsburgh. Has one career sack, 30 career tackles.

FB Alec Ingold (Miami Dolphins)

Dec 17, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Miami Dolphins full back Alec Ingold (30) runs with the ball against the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/buffalo/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Buffalo Bills;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Buffalo Bills</a> during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Week 2 Stats: Zero statistics recorded

Years at Wisconsin: 2015-2018

NFL Season: 5th

Notes: One of the last true fullbacks remaining in the NFL. Has scored touchdowns in each of his four NFL seasons

OLB Nick Herbig (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Aug 19, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) and cornerback <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/40089" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Joey Porter Jr.;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Joey Porter Jr.</a> (24) celebrate a defensive stop against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Week 2 Stats: Two total tackles

Years at Wisconsin: 2020-2022

NFL Season: 1st

Notes: Fourth-round pick of the Steelers in 2023.

DE Matt Henningsen (Denver Broncos)

DENVER, CO – AUGUST 13: Ben DiNucci #17 of the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/dallas/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Dallas Cowboys;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Dallas Cowboys</a> avoids a sack by Matt Henningsen #91 of the Denver Broncos during a preseason game at Empower Field At Mile High on August 13, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)

Week 2 Stats: Two total tackles, 0.5 run stuffs, two passes defended

Years at Wisconsin: 2017-2021

NFL Season: 2nd

Notes: Registered one sack last year in limited action. 6th-round pick of the Broncos in 2022.

TE Jake Ferguson (Dallas Cowboys)

Nov 24, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) in action during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/ny-giants/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:New York Giants;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">New York Giants</a> at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Week 2 Stats: Four targets, three receptions, 11 receiving yards, one touchdown

Years at Wisconsin: 2017-2021

NFL Season: 2nd

Notes: Caught 19 passes for 174 yards, 2 touchdowns in rookie season. Could win the starting job this season with Dalton Schultz in Houston.

LB Leo Chenal (Kansas City Chiefs)

Nov 13, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal (54) celebrates after a sack during the first half against the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/jacksonville/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Jacksonville Jaguars;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Week 2 Stats: Four total tackles

Years at Wisconsin: 2019-2021

NFL Season: 2nd

Notes: Super Bowl Champion with Chiefs (2022). Appeared in all 17 games last year with eight starts.

DL Keeanu Benton (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Sep 18, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns running back <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/34112" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Jerome Ford;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Jerome Ford</a> (34) carries the ball against Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won 26-22. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Week 2 Stats: Two total tackles

Years at Wisconsin: 2019-2022

NFL Season: 1st

Notes: Second-round pick of the Steelers in 2023.

LB Zack Baun (New Orleans Saints)

Dec 25, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Zack Baun (53) on the kickoff return team in the second half against the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/minnesota/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Minnesota Vikings;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Minnesota Vikings</a> at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Week 2 Stats: Zero statistics recorded

Years at Wisconsin: 2015-2019

NFL Season: 4th

Notes: Second-round pick of the Saints in 2020. 45 career games, eight starts with most of his action being on special teams.

Story originally appeared on Badgers Wire