Former Packers and Wisconsin-connected players still in the NFL playoffs

The Packers may be done, but those who follow state football still have stuff to root for. Several former Packers, Badgers and high-school football players in Wisconsin are still playing, with at least one for each of the remaining eight football teams in the NFL playoffs.

Max Scharping, OG, Cincinnati Bengals

With offensive linemen La'el Collins and Alex Cappa sidelined by injury, the Green Bay Southwest graduate made his first Bengals start in the playoff game at right guard, a 24-17 win over Baltimore. He spent his first three NFL seasons with the Houston Texans. Former Packers draft pick and veteran long snapper Clark Harris is on the Bengals' injured reserve.

Greg Van Roten, OG, Buffalo Bills

A member of the Packers from 2012-13, Van Roten now has eight NFL seasons under his belt. He appeared in 16 games this year, often on special teams.

AJ Klein, LB, Buffalo Bills

In his 10th NFL season, the Kimberly native has played primarily on special teams. Former Packers standout safety Micah Hyde and former UW-Whitewater and Packers receiver Jake Kumerow are on injured reserve with the Bills.

Leo Chenal, LB, Kansas City Chiefs

University of Wisconsin linebacker and Grantsburg native finishing his first season in the NFL after getting drafted in the third round. Started the season finale and seven other games this year with 35 total tackles and three tackles for loss.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

The former deep threat for the Green Bay Packers has 42 receptions this year in his first season with the Chiefs for 687 yards and two touchdowns. Other Chiefs on the practice squad include Mike Caliendo, a rookie offensive lineman who went to high school at Brookfield East, and Melvin Gordon, the star running back at the University of Wisconsin and Kenosha Bradford who was released by Denver earlier this year.

Dan Arnold, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars

The UW-Platteville alumnus played in 16 games this year, catching nine passes for 135 yards and also appearing frequently on special teams. Last weekend marked the first time since his rookie year, 2018, that he appeared in a playoff game.

Kendric Pryor, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

The University of Wisconsin alumnus was kept out of the last playoff game with a shoulder injury and has not seen the field in his rookie season but has been on the active roster.

Cole Van Lanen, OL, Jacksonville Jaguars

The University of Wisconsin and Bay Port alumnus played for the Packers last season and has seen action in 16 games this season, mostly on special teams.

Tyler Biadasz, C, Dallas Cowboys

The University of Wisconsin and Amherst alumnus is the starting center for the Cowboys and has been since the 2021 season.

Jake Ferguson, TE, Dallas Cowboys

The rookie from UW and Madison Memorial caught a pass for 34 yards in the Cowboys' playoff win over Tampa Bay. In the regular season, he caught 19 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns.

Oren Burks, LB, San Francisco 49ers

A member of the Packers the last four seasons, Burks appeared in all 17 games this season for the 49ers, contributing largely on special teams and making a career-best 38 tackles.

Taybor Pepper, LS, San Francisco 49ers

The long snapper has appeared in all 17 games for the 49ers this year; he played four games with the Packers in 2017.

T.J. Edwards, LB, Philadelphia Eagles

The undrafted player out of the University of Wisconsin flourished in his fourth NFL season, recording 159 tackles (10 for loss), a fumble recovery and seven passes defended. He also serves as the team's defensive signal caller.

Ben Bredeson, OG, New York Giants

Bredeson made his eighth start of the year in the regular season finale and has split time at left guard, overcoming a stint on injured reserve to be back for the playoffs. He's a graduate of Arrowhead High School and in his third NFL season.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ex-Packers and Wisconsin-connected NFL players still alive in playoffs