Across The Shield: Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jaxon Smith-Njigba Headline Big Week for Former Ohio State Receivers, J.K. Dobbins Leads NFL in Rushing, Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud Both Start 2-0

By Dan Hope on September 17, 2024 at 8:35 am
Marvin Harrison Jr. scoring his second touchdown
Joe Rondone/The Republic/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
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Former Ohio State wide receivers had a prolific second week of the 2024 NFL season, headlined by the most recent Buckeye wideout to make the jump to the league.

Marvin Harrison Jr. needed only one quarter to remind everyone why he was the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s NFL draft. After a disappointing debut in which he caught just one pass for four yards and drew criticism for his play speed and route running, Harrison made a quick statement in his second NFL game by catching four passes for 130 yards – all in the first quarter – including a pair of touchdowns.

The two-time unanimous All-American from Ohio State scored his first NFL touchdown with one of his signature toe-tapping grabs for a 23-yard catch at the back of the end zone less than four minutes into the game.

Just two minutes and 16 seconds of game time later, Harrison reached the end zone for a second time when he caught a deep ball from Kyler Murray and took it all the way for a 60-yard touchdown.

Harrison followed that up on the Cardinals’ next drive by making a contested 15-yard catch on a back-shoulder throw to the sideline and a 32-yard catch for a 3rd-and-5 conversion, which ultimately led to another Arizona touchdown.

Harrison became the first rookie to catch four passes with two touchdowns in the first quarter of an NFL game since his own father accomplished the feat in 1996, according to NFL.com. His father, however, never had more than 106 receiving yards in a game as a rookie despite eventually going on to become a Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Harrison didn’t have any catches in the game’s final three quarters, but his spectacular first quarter proved to be all the Cardinals needed from him as they defeated the Los Angeles Rams 41-10. It was also enough to earn Harrison this week’s Pro Buck of the Week award as Ohio State’s top NFL performer for Week 2.

Pro Bucks of the Week
Week Player Stats
1 Chargers RB J.K. Dobbins 10 carries, 135 yards, 1 TD; 3 catches, 4 yards
2 Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. 4 catches, 130 yards, 2 TD

That said, Harrison was far from the only Ohio State wide receiver who had success in Week 2. In fact, all seven wide receivers from Ohio State currently on NFL rosters earned wins in Week 2.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba had the best game of his young NFL career in the second game of his second season as he caught 12 passes for 117 yards – both career-highs – in the Seattle Seahawks’ 23-20 win over the New England Patriots. He never had more than seven catches or 63 receiving yards in a game as a rookie.

Chris Olave had four catches for 81 yards in the New Orleans Saints’ 44-19 win over the Dallas Cowboys. His four receptions included a 39-yard catch-and-run as well as a spectacular 19-yard leaping grab through a hit just in front of the goal line.

Fellow 2022 first-round pick Garrett Wilson had four catches for 57 yards in the New York Jets’ 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans, including a crucial 26-yard catch for a third-down conversion on the game-deciding touchdown drive.

Noah Brown caught three passes for 56 yards in his first game as a Washington Commander, including a 34-yard catch late in the fourth quarter that helped set up a game-winning field goal in the Commanders’ 21-18 win over the New York Giants.

Terry McLaurin had six catches for 22 yards as the Commanders won on his 29th birthday. Curtis Samuel had only one catch for three yards on Thursday Night Football, but also got to celebrate a Week 2 win as the Buffalo Bills improved to 2-0 with a 31-10 result against the Miami Dolphins.

Jameson Williams, who started his college career at Ohio State before transferring to Alabama, also continued his strong start to his third NFL season in Week 2 as he caught five passes for 79 yards, though his team did not win as the Detroit Lions lost 20-16 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Dobbins leading NFL in rushing

Two games into his career as a Los Angeles Charger, J.K. Dobbins has already rushed for 266 yards and two touchdowns.

After running for 135 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries in the Chargers’ season-opening win over the Las Vegas Raiders, Dobbins had another fantastic game in Week 2 as he rushed for 131 yards on 17 carries, highlighted by a 43-yard touchdown run that he accentuated with a flip into the end zone.

Dobbins, who signed a one-year deal with the Chargers this offseason after four years with the Baltimore Ravens, became the first player in Chargers history to start a season with back-to-back 100-yard games. He’s the first Charger to run for 100 yards in any two consecutive games since Melvin Gordon in 2016 and the first Charger to run for 130 yards in back-to-back games since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2007.

Dobbins is the NFL’s leading rusher through two weeks with 266 rushing yards. His average of 9.9 rushing yards per attempt is by far the highest among running backs who have carried the ball more than 10 times this season; the second-highest average in that category, by Antonio Gibson of the New England Patriots, is just 6.3.

Fields improves to 2-0 as Steelers starter

Making his second start for the Pittsburgh Steelers with Russell Wilson continuing to nurse a calf injury, Justin Fields guided his new team to a 13-6 victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday to remain unbeaten as a Steelers quarterback.

Much like in Week 1, Fields didn’t put up huge numbers but was efficient in victory, completing 13 of 20 passing attempts for 117 yards and adding 27 rushing yards on eight attempts. He delivered the Steelers’ first touchdown of the season on a 5-yard pass to Darnell Washington.

Fields’ statistics didn’t tell the whole story of his performance, as he drew a pair of pass interference penalties on deep balls – something the Steelers thought they could capitalize on because of who was officiating the game – that helped set up field goals.

Fields also connected with George Pickens on what would have been a spectacular 51-yard deep completion – on the run under heavy pressure from his former Ohio State teammate Jonathon Cooper – if not for a holding penalty against Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones.

The lingering question now is whether Fields’ performance through his first two games with the Steelers, who acquired him via trade from the Chicago Bears this offseason, will be enough for him to keep the starting job when Wilson returns from injury. While Steelers coach Mike Tomlin named Wilson the starter before the season, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported before Sunday’s game that sources close to the team wouldn’t be surprised if Fields remained the starter if the Steelers beat the Broncos.

Tomlin said Tuesday that the plan is for Fields to start in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Chargers as Wilson continues to work his way back to full health.

Stroud, Stover shine on Sunday night

Ohio State’s other NFL starting quarterback is also 2-0 to start the season as C.J. Stroud led the Houston Texans to a 19-13 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football.

In the first Sunday night game of his NFL career, Stroud shined in the national spotlight as he made several spectacular throws – highlighted by an 18-yard throw on the run to Nico Collins under heavy duress from Bears pass-rusher Darrell Taylor – en route to finishing with 23 completions on 36 attempts for 260 yards and one touchdown.

Cade Stover, who played primarily as a fullback for the second consecutive game to start his NFL career, also made an impression in his Sunday night debut. His night was highlighted by a two-play sequence late in the first quarter in which he caught a 4th-and-1 screen pass and turned it into an 18-yard gain on his first NFL reception, then followed that up with an excellent lead block to spring an 18-yard run by Tank Dell on the very next snap.

Quick Hits

  • Nick Bosa recorded his first two sacks of the season on Sunday as part of a five-tackle effort in the San Francisco 49ers’ 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
  • Joey Bosa recorded his second sack in as many weeks in the Chargers’ win over the Panthers.
  • Josh Myers went viral in more ways than one as he puked on the ball before a snap in the second quarter, preventing Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis from throwing a pass on 3rd-and-10. Despite the vomiting incident, Myers remained in the game and the Packers beat the Indianapolis Colts, 16-10.
  • Denzel Ward recorded the 80th pass defense of his NFL career – and celebrated after the play with fellow former Ohio State defensive back Ronnie Hickman, who also made a pass breakup in the Cleveland Browns’ 18-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
  • The Patriots officially signed Michael Jordan on Monday after elevating him from their practice squad to start at left guard for the first two games. He made a key play for the Patriots on Sunday, recovering a fumble by Rhamondre Stevenson at the Seahawks’ 3-yard line, preventing a red-zone turnover and keeping alive a drive that ended with a Stevenson touchdown run.
  • Jonah Jackson suffered a fractured scapula in his shoulder in the Rams’ loss to the Cardinals and is likely headed to injured reserve, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Rams coach Sean McVay said Monday that Jackson will miss “an extended period of time.”
  • Parris Campbell made his debut with the Philadelphia Eagles after he was elevated from the practice squad for their Monday Night Football game against the Atlanta Falcons. He did not record any catches in the Eagles’ 22-21 loss.
  • Tommy Eichenberg made his NFL debut with the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2, seeing action on special teams in their 26-23 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
  • Former Ohio State and current Minnesota Timberwolves basketball star Mike Conley sounded the Vikings’ Gjallarhorn before their win over the 49ers.

Week 2 Stats

The following table, compiled by Eleven Warriors researcher Matt Gutridge, includes statistics for every Buckeye who has played in at least one game this season. (Note: The table only includes players who finished their college careers at Ohio State.)

Buckeyes Around the NFL
PLAYER POSITION TEAM WEEK 2 STATS SEASON STATS
JEROME BAKER LB SEAHAWKS 4 tackles, 1 PD 9 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PD, 1 FR
VONN BELL S BENGALS 8 tackles 14 tackles
JOEY BOSA DE CHARGERS 2 tackles, 1 sack (8 yards) 9 tackles, 2 sacks (14 yards), 2 TFL, 3 QB hits
NICK BOSA DE 49ERS 5 tackles, 2 sacks (10 yards) 7 tackles, 2 sacks (10 yards), 2 TFL, 2 QB hits
NOAH BROWN WR COMMANDERS 3 catches, 56 yards 3 catches, 56 yards
BARON BROWNING LB BRONCOS Started at LB 5 tackles, 1 TFL
PARRIS CAMPBELL WR EAGLES Played at WR 1 game played
JONATHON COOPER LB BRONCOS 5 tackles 11 tackles, 2 sacks (13 yards), 2 TFL, 4 QB hits
TAYLOR DECKER OT LIONS Started at LT 2 starts at LT
J.K. DOBBINS RB CHARGERS 17 carries, 131 yards, 1 TD 27 carries, 266 yards, 2 TD; 3 catches, 4 yards
TOMMY EICHENBERG LB RAIDERS Played on special teams 1 game played
EZEKIEL ELLIOTT RB COWBOYS 6 carries, 16 yards 16 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD
LUKE FARRELL TE JAGUARS 2 catches, 13 yards 2 catches, 13 yards
JUSTIN FIELDS CB STEELERS 13/20, 117 yards, 1 TD; 8 carries, 27 yards 30/43, 273 yards, 1 TD; 22 carries, 84 yards
NICHOLAS PETIT-FRERE OL TITANS Started at RT 2 starts at RT
JORDAN FULLER S PANTHERS 6 tackles 13 tackles
MIKE HALL JR. DT BROWNS   Commissioner’s exempt list
DAVON HAMILTON DT JAGUARS 2 tackles, 1 QB hit 3 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit
JOHNATHAN HANKINS DT SEAHAWKS 3 tackles, 1 TFL 5 tackles, 2 TFL
MALIK HARRISON LB RAVENS 2 tackles 4 tackles
ZACH HARRISON DL FALCONS Played at DT 2 tackles
MARVIN HARRISON JR. WR CARDINALS 4 catches, 130 yards, 2 TD 5 catches, 134 yards, 2 TD
CAMERON HEYWARD DT STEELERS 3 tackles, 3 QB hits 7 tackles, 3 QB hits
RONNIE HICKMAN S BROWNS 3 tackles, 1 PD 3 tackles, 1 PD
JALYN HOLMES DE JETS 1 tackle 4 tackles, 1 TFL
MALIK HOOKER S COWBOYS 2 tackles 6 tackles
SAM HUBBARD DE BENGALS 3 tackles 7 tackles, 1 QB hit
JONAH JACKSON OG RAMS Started at LG 1 start at C, 1 start at LG
PARIS JOHNSON JR. OL CARDINALS Started at LT 2 starts at LT
CAMERON JOHNSTON P STEELERS Injured reserve (knee) 2 punts, 51.5 average, 1 inside 20
DAWAND JONES OT BROWNS Started at RT 2 starts at RT
DRE'MONT JONES DE SEAHAWKS 1 tackle, 1 TFL 2 tackles, 1 TFL
MICHAEL JORDAN OG PATRIOTS Started at LG, 1 FR 2 starts at LG, 1 FR
MARSHON LATTIMORE CB SAINTS Inactive 2 tackles
TYQUAN LEWIS DT COLTS 5 tackles 11 tackles, 1 sack (8 yards), 1 TFL, 1 QB hit, 
LIAM McCULLOUGH LS FALCONS Played at LS 2 games played
TERRY McLAURIN WR COMMANDERS 6 catches, 22 yards 8 catches, 39 yards
RAEKWON McMILLAN LB PATRIOTS 7 tackles, 1 QB hit 7 tackles, 1 QB  hit
THAYER MUNFORD OT RAIDERS Started at RT 2 starts at RT
JOSH MYERS C/G PACKERS Started at C 2 starts at C
JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA WR SEAHAWKS 12 catches, 117 yards 14 catches, 136 yards
JEFF OKUDAH CB TEXANS Injured reserve (hip) Played on special teams
CHRIS OLAVE WR SAINTS 4 catches, 81 yards; 1 carry, 7 yards; 1 tackle 6 catches, 92 yards; 1 carry, 7 yards; 1 tackle
JEREMY RUCKERT TE JETS Played at TE 2 games played at TE
CURTIS SAMUEL WR BILLS 1 catch, 3 yards 3 catches, 18 yards
TREY SERMON RB COLTS 2 carries, 0 yards; 1 catch, 7 yards 2 carries, 0 yards; 1 catch, 7 yards
CADE STOVER TE TEXANS 1 catch, 18 yards 1 catch, 18 yards
C.J. STROUD QB TEXANS 23/36, 260 yards, 1 TD; 1 carry, -1 yard 47/68, 494 yards, 3 TD; 5 carries, 12 yards
NICK VANNETT TE TITANS Played at TE 2 catches, 11 yards
DENZEL WARD CB BROWNS 1 tackle, 1 PD 1 tackle, 4 PD
PETE WERNER LB SAINTS 8 tackles 10 tackles
GARRETT WILSON WR JETS 4 catches, 57 yards 10 catches, 117 yards
LUKE WYPLER C BROWNS   Injured reserve
CHASE YOUNG DE SAINTS 4 tackles, 0.5 sack (3 yards), 1 QB hit 4 tackles, 0.5 sack (3 yards), 3 QB hits
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