Across The Shield: Terry McLaurin Leads Another Big Week for Former Ohio State Receivers in NFL, Justin Fields Leads Steelers Past Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers

By Dan Hope on September 24, 2024 at 10:10 am
Terry McLaurin
Joseph Maiorana – Imagn Images
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Across The Shield is Eleven Warriors’ weekly recap of the best and most notable performances from former Ohio State players throughout the NFL. Standout games from Terry McLaurin and Justin Fields lead this week’s recap.

McLaurin shines on Monday night

In his first two games with new Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin had only 39 receiving yards on eight catches. In their third game together, McLaurin showed what he has the potential to do as the Commanders’ No. 1 receiver if Daniels lives up to the hype as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

McLaurin caught four passes for 100 yards and a touchdown on Monday Night Football, including a pair of highlight-reel receptions, to help lead the Commanders to a surprise 38-33 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Late in the first half, McLaurin caught a 55-yard deep bomb from Daniels that set up a Daniels touchdown run one play later.

With two minutes and 10 seconds left to play in the fourth quarter, McLaurin made a spectacular grab to all but seal the road win for the Commanders when he hauled in a 27-yard over-the-shoulder throw in the right rear corner of the end zone, getting a foot and a knee down in bounds all while having former Michigan defensive back Dax Hill draped on his back.

McLaurin’s first touchdown catch of the season brought the former Ohio State wide receiver to exactly the century mark for the 16th 100-yard game of his career. Altogether, his performance in the Monday night spotlight earned him our Pro Buck of the Week award as Ohio State’s top NFL performer of Week 3.

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
3 Commanders WR Terry McLaurin 4 catches, 100 yards, 1 TD

Fields beats Harbaugh

Justin Fields is still undefeated as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting quarterback, but Jim Harbaugh is no longer unbeaten as the Los Angeles Chargers’ head coach.

The former Ohio State quarterback handed the former Michigan coach his first loss with his new NFL team as Fields quarterbacked the Steelers to their third straight win to begin the year. Statisically, Fields had his best game yet as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback in Week 3, completing 25 of 32 passing attempts for 245 yards with one touchdown and one interception while also rushing for a five-yard touchdown.

The touchdown run, which tied the game at 7-7 early in the second quarter, was Fields’ first as a Pittsburgh Steeler.

His 55-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III, the second-longest touchdown pass of his NFL career to date, served as the dagger for Harbaugh and Co. as it gave the Steelers a 20-10 lead – which would ultimately hold as the game’s final score – with just 7:02 to play.

Fields is now 2-0 in games against Harbaugh, having also led Ohio State to a 56-27 win over Michigan in 2019 – the only time Fields faced Harbaugh as a Buckeye because the 2020 Ohio State/Michigan game was canceled due to a COVID-19 outbreak among Michigan players.

While the Steelers expected Fields to be their backup quarterback this season, he’s started every game of the year so far with Russell Wilson sidelined by a calf injury. Now one of just five quarterbacks with a 3-0 record this season – along with Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills), Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs), Sam Darnold (Minnesota Vikings) and Geno Smith (Seattle Seahawks) – Fields is strengthening his case by the week to remain the Steelers’ starting quarterback long-term, though Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has declined to commit to a starter until Wilson is healthy enough to play.

Five other Buckeyes scored touchdowns, too

McLaurin was one of just five former Ohio State pass-catchers who caught touchdown passes in Week 3.

Chris Olave was another Week 3 standout among former Ohio State wideouts as he caught six passes for 86 yards, including a clutch 12-yard touchdown catch that gave the New Orleans Saints a 12-7 lead over the Philadelphia Eagles with just 2:03 to play. It didn’t end up being a game-winning touchdown catch as the Saints subsequently allowed the Eagles to drive for a touchdown, but it was a catch for the highlight reel nonetheless as Olave showed off some serious toe-drag swag in getting both feet in bounds for his first score of the year.

Ohio State’s other third-year NFL receiver also scored his first touchdown of 2024 in Week 3 as Garrett Wilson slickly pointed the ball across the goal line before going out of bounds on a catch near the sideline for a 2-yard score. Wilson’s first touchdown catch from Aaron Rodgers highlighted a five-reception, 33-yard night in the New York Jets’ 24-3 win over the New England Patriots.

Marvin Harrison Jr. followed up his two-touchdown performance in Week 2 by scoring another touchdown in Week 3, running away from two Detroit Lions defensive backs to score a 10-yard touchdown. He finished with five catches for 64 yards in the Arizona Cardinals’ 20-13 loss.

Former Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett scored his first touchdown since 2021 as he caught a 1-yard pass in the back of the end zone in the first quarter of the Tennessee Titans’ 30-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Fields was one of two former Buckeyes to run for touchdowns in Week 3 along with Trey Sermon, who scored his first touchdown of the season with some help from Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, who helped push Sermon into the end zone on a 1-yard touchdown run in the Colts’ 21-16 win over the Chicago Bears.

Notes Around the NFL

  • Cameron Heyward recorded his first sack of the season as part of a four-tackle effort with two tackles for loss in the Steelers’ win over the Chargers. The sack brought him to 81.5 for his career, surpassing James Harrison for the second-most sacks in Steelers history.
  • Ronnie Hickman recorded the first fumble recovery of his NFL career along with making five tackles in the Cleveland Browns’ 21-15 loss to the New York Giants.
  • Denzel Ward is tied for the second-most passes defensed in the NFL with six after recording two pass breakups in the Browns’ loss to the Giants.
  • The Jets signed Jalyn Holmes to their active roster after elevating him from the practice squad for both of their first two games. He recorded one quarterback hit against the Patriots.
  • Raekwon McMillan made his first start of the season for the Patriots and tied for the team lead with 10 tackles in their loss to the Jets.
  • Holmes and McMillan exchanged jerseys after the Jets’ win over the Patriots, as did Vannett and former Ohio State center Josh Myers following the Packers’ win over the Titans.
  • Jonathon Cooper recorded his third sack of the season in the Denver Broncos’ 26-7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while Dre’Mont Jones recorded his first sack of the season in the Seattle Seahawks’ 24-3 win over the Miami Dolphins.
  • Tanner McCalister recorded one tackle in his 2024 debut after the Broncos elevated him from the practice squad for the first time this season.
  • Parris Campbell caught his first two passes of the season for 13 yards after the Eagles elevated him from their practice squad for the second week in a row.
  • The Broncos placed Baron Browning on injured reserve with a foot injury before their Week 3 game, meaning he will be out for at least three more weeks before he is eligible to return.
  • Joey Bosa suffered a hip injury in the first quarter of the Chargers’ loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
  • C.J. Stroud threw multiple interceptions in a game for just the second time in his NFL career as he was picked off twice in the Houston Texans’ 34-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He completed 20 of his 31 total passing attempts for 215 yards and one touchdown in the Texans’ first loss of the season.
  • Javontae Jean-Baptiste, who spent four years at Ohio State before transferring to Notre Dame for his final season of college football, sacked another former Buckeye who transferred from Ohio State – Joe Burrow – for his first career sack in the Commanders’ win over the Bengals.

Week 3 Stats

The following table, compiled by Eleven Warriors researcher Matt Gutridge, includes statistics for this week and the entire 2024 season 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 3 STATS SEASON STATS
JEROME BAKER LB SEAHAWKS Inactive 9 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PD, 1 FR
VONN BELL S BENGALS 9 tackles 23 tackles
JOEY BOSA DE CHARGERS Started at DE 9 tackles, 2 sacks (14 yards), 2 TFL, 3 QB hits
NICK BOSA DE 49ERS 2 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit 9 tackles, 2 sacks (10 yards), 3 TFL, 3 QB hits
NOAH BROWN WR COMMANDERS 3 catches, 29 yards 6 catches, 85 yards
BARON BROWNING LB BRONCOS Injured reserve (foot) 5 tackles, 1 TFL
PARRIS CAMPBELL WR EAGLES 2 catches, 13 yards 2 catches, 13 yards
JONATHON COOPER LB BRONCOS 3 tackles, 1 sack (5 yards) 14 tackles, 3 sacks (18 yards), 3 TFL, 5 QB hits
TAYLOR DECKER OT LIONS Started at LT 3 starts at LT
J.K. DOBBINS RB CHARGERS 15 carries, 44 yards; 3 catches, 10 yards 42 carries, 310 yards, 2 TD; 6 catches, 14 yards
TOMMY EICHENBERG LB RAIDERS 2 tackles 2 tackles
EZEKIEL ELLIOTT RB COWBOYS 3 carries, 6 yards; 1 catch, 6 yards 19 carries, 62 yards, 1 TD; 1 catch, 6 yards
LUKE FARRELL TE JAGUARS 1 catch, 1 yard; 1 tackle 3 catches, 14 yards; 1 tackle
JUSTIN FIELDS CB STEELERS 25/32, 245 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 6 carries, 6 yards, 1 TD 55/75, 518 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 28 carries, 90 yards, 1 TD
NICHOLAS PETIT-FRERE OL TITANS Started at RT 3 starts at RT
JORDAN FULLER S PANTHERS 2 tackles 15 tackles
MIKE HALL JR. DT BROWNS   Commissioner’s exempt list
DAVON HAMILTON DT JAGUARS Played at DT 3 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit
JOHNATHAN HANKINS DT SEAHAWKS 3 tackles, 1 QB hit 8 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 QB hit
MALIK HARRISON LB RAVENS 2 tackles 6 tackles
ZACH HARRISON DL FALCONS Played at DE 2 tackles
MARVIN HARRISON JR. WR CARDINALS 5 catches, 64 yards, 1 TD 10 catches, 198 yards, 3 TD
CAMERON HEYWARD DT STEELERS 4 tackles, 1 sack (10 yards), 2 TFL, 1 QB hit 11 tackles, 1 sack (10 yards), 2 TFL, 4 QB hits
RONNIE HICKMAN S BROWNS 5 tackles, 1 FR 8 tackles, 1 PD, 1 FR
JALYN HOLMES DE JETS 1 QB hit 4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit
MALIK HOOKER S COWBOYS 5 tackles 11 tackles
SAM HUBBARD DE BENGALS 3 tackles 10 tackles, 1 QB hit
JONAH JACKSON OG RAMS Injured reserve (shoulder) 1 start at C, 1 start at LG
PARIS JOHNSON JR. OL CARDINALS Started at LT 3 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 3 starts at RT
DRE'MONT JONES DE SEAHAWKS 5 tackles, 1 sack (14 yards), 2 QB hits, 1 FF 7 tackles, 1 sack (14 yards), 2 TFL, 2 QB hits, 1 FF
MICHAEL JORDAN OG PATRIOTS Started at LG 3 starts at LG, 1 FR
MARSHON LATTIMORE CB SAINTS 2 tackles 4 tackles
TYQUAN LEWIS DT COLTS 4 tackles, 1 TFL 15 tackles, 1 sack (8 yards), 2 TFL, 1 QB hit, 
TANNER McCALISTER S BRONCOS 1 tackle 1 tackle
LIAM McCULLOUGH LS FALCONS Played at LS 3 games played
TERRY McLAURIN WR COMMANDERS 4 catches, 100 yards, 1 TD 12 catches, 139 yards, 1 TD
RAEKWON McMILLAN LB PATRIOTS 10 tackles 17 tackles, 1 QB hit
THAYER MUNFORD OT RAIDERS Started at RT 3 starts at RT
JOSH MYERS C/G PACKERS Started at C 3 starts at C
JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA WR SEAHAWKS 3 catches, 39 yards 17 catches, 175 yards
JEFF OKUDAH CB TEXANS Injured reserve (hip) Played on special teams
CHRIS OLAVE WR SAINTS 6 catches, 86 yards, 1 TD; 1 tackle 12 catches, 178 yards, 1 TD; 1 carry, 7 yards; 2 tackles
JEREMY RUCKERT TE JETS 2 catches, 15 yards 2 catches, 15 yards
CURTIS SAMUEL WR BILLS 3 catches, 22 yards; 1 carry, 0 yards 6 catches, 40 yards; 1 carry, 0 yards
TREY SERMON RB COLTS 2 carries, 16 yards, 1 TD 4 carries, 16 yards, 1 TD; 1 catch, 7 yards
CADE STOVER TE TEXANS Started at TE 1 catch, 18 yards
C.J. STROUD QB TEXANS 20/31, 215 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT; 3 carries, 12 yards 67/99, 709 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT; 8 carries, 24 yards
NICK VANNETT TE TITANS 2 catches, 9 yards, 1 TD 4 catches, 20 yards, 1 TD
DENZEL WARD CB BROWNS 5 tackles, 1 QB hit, 2 PD 6 tackles, 1 QB hit, 6 PD
PETE WERNER LB SAINTS 5 tackles 15 tackles
GARRETT WILSON WR JETS 5 catches, 33 yards, 1 TD 15 catches, 150 yards, 1 TD
LUKE WYPLER C BROWNS   Injured reserve (ankle)
CHASE YOUNG DE SAINTS 4 tackles, 3 QB hits 7 tackles, 0.5 sack (3 yards), 6 QB hits
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