Across The Shield is Eleven Warriors’ weekly recap of the best and most notable performances from former Ohio State players throughout the NFL.
Our Week 9 recap is highlighted by a quartet of Buckeyes – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, J.K. Dobbins and Terry McLaurin – who all scored two touchdowns this week, marking the first time four former Ohio State players have scored two touchdowns each in the same week of NFL games.
JSN has a breakout game
In the ninth game of his second season at Ohio State, Jaxon Smith-Njigba had one of the defining performances of his Buckeye career, cementing himself as one of college football’s best wide receivers by catching a school-record 15 passes for 240 yards and a touchdown against Nebraska.
In the ninth game of his second season with the Seattle Seahawks, Smith-Njigba had a similarly dominant performance that felt like the breakout game he needed to solidify himself as one of the NFL’s young stars at wide receiver.
Having only topped 100 receiving yards in a game once in his young NFL career going into Week 9, Smith-Njigba shattered his previous career-high with 180 receiving yards against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. He also scored two touchdowns in a single NFL game for the first time as part of a seven-catch effort in the Seahawks’ 26-20 overtime loss.
Smith-Njigba was particularly spectacular in the final minute of each half. He closed out the first half by hauling in a deep ball for a 46-yard reception, nearly making a spectacular catch for a touchdown one play later and then scoring a 24-yard touchdown that counted one play after that.
J$N on the money. pic.twitter.com/zyuv9XcXKI
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) November 3, 2024
That's how you finish a half.
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) November 3, 2024
TOUCHDOWN @jaxon_smith1! pic.twitter.com/6sWYp61tyM
With just over a minute left to play in the fourth quarter and the Seahawks trailing by seven points, Smith-Njigba came through in the clutch by making a 29-yard over-the-shoulder catch on 4th-and-5 and following that up with a 14-yard touchdown reception one play later.
JSN keeps the drive alive! pic.twitter.com/CBEZDdWLqS
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) November 4, 2024
BACK-TO-BACK JAX. TIE GAME. pic.twitter.com/Z1aKX5d775
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) November 4, 2024
Smith-Njigba proceeded to make a 31-yard catch in overtime that put Seattle in position to potentially win the game, though the Seahawks would ultimately turn the ball over on downs when Kenneth Walker was stopped short on a 4th-and-1 rush attempt.
31-yard gain for JSN. pic.twitter.com/tCcwBgzQs1
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) November 4, 2024
Smith-Njigba’s 180 receiving yards are the second-most any NFL player has had in a game this season, and he could have had even more. The former Buckeye star had catches of 40 and 38 yards wiped off the board by offensive holding penalties against Seahawks right tackle Michael Jerrell; had those catches counted, his 258 receiving yards would have ranked among the top 25 single-game performances in NFL history.
Nevertheless, his 180 yards that did count were more than enough to earn Smith-Njigba our Pro Buck of the Week Award as Ohio State’s top NFL performer for Week 9.
| 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 |
| 4 | 49ers DE Nick Bosa | 5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 FR, 9 QB pressures |
| 5 | Seahawks LB Jerome Baker | 14 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF |
| 6 | 49ers DE Nick Bosa | 4 tackles, 2 QB hits, 14 QB pressures |
| 7 | Bengals DE Sam Hubbard | 3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT, 1 FF, 3 QB hits |
| 8 | Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. | 6 catches, 111 yards, 1 TD |
| 9 | Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba | 7 catches, 180 yards, 2 TD |
Wilson makes two one-handed touchdown grabs
Until Smith-Njigba put up the monster numbers he did on Sunday, Garrett Wilson looked like the clear choice to be this week’s Pro Buck of the Week with his own two-touchdown performance on Thursday Night Football.
Wilson needed just one hand to haul in each of his two touchdown catches. The second one was immediately considered to be one of the greatest catches in NFL history as Wilson stabbed the ball out of the air with a move that looked like the Jumpman logo before getting his foot and shin down in bounds to establish possession for a 26-yard scoring reception.
(after review) HOLY ONE-HAND GARRETT FREAKING WILSON TOUCHDOOOOOWN#HOUvsNYJ on @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/htLVwK7TA6
— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 1, 2024
Here’s a few more videos and photos of the catch for a more complete look at just how spectacular it was:
another angle of THAT @GarrettWilson_V TD catch #HOUvsNYJ on @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/QsUjlUL1By
New York Jets (@nyjets) November 1, 2024
Garrett Wilson's CATCH OF THE YEAR from the field pic.twitter.com/lvVYZhyJHY
NFL (@NFL) November 1, 2024
you know where to hang it pic.twitter.com/zxOcufMxN6
NFL (@NFL) November 1, 2024
Wilson’s first touchdown of the game was spectacular in its own right as he smoothly plucked Aaron Rodgers’ pass out of the air with his right hand without breaking stride and kept going all the way to the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown.
ONE-HANDED GARRETT WILSON TOUCHDOWN #HOUvsNYJ on @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/rvDWanuax5
— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 1, 2024
Wilson has already caught a career-high five touchdown passes this season with eight more regular-season games to go. His nine catches for 90 yards in the Jets’ 21-13 win over the Houston Texans brought him to 60 receptions – the most in the NFL this season – for 663 yards through nine games.
Dobbins shines in return to Ohio
Ohio State fans who also root for the Cleveland Browns likely had mixed feelings while watching J.K. Dobbins play in Cleveland on Sunday.
It wasn’t a good day for the Browns, who fell to 2-7 on the season for a 27-10 loss to the Jim Harbaugh-coached Los Angeles Chargers. But it was a good day for Dobbins, who outscored the Browns by himself as he ran for 85 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries while also adding two catches for 20 yards.
The former Buckeye running back paid homage to his Ohio State roots after his first touchdown of the game, a 16-yard run in the second quarter, by throwing up an O-H in the end zone.
jk
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 3, 2024
| @nfloncbs pic.twitter.com/t3YcLY3FUF
He iced the victory for the Chargers by scoring a 7-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, setting that touchdown up himself with a 34-yard run two plays earlier.
eat j.k.
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 3, 2024
| @nfloncbs pic.twitter.com/dC9VI2UJv1
Even though he was playing for the visiting team, Dobbins felt plenty of support from the Buckeye fans in Cleveland and expressed his gratitude after the game on social media.
BUCKEYE NATION!! I felt the love today I miss you and love you forever! O-H!!
— Jk dobbins (@Jkdobbins22) November 3, 2024
His 85-yard outing in Cleveland continued what’s been an excellent season so far for Dobbins, who has now rushed for 620 yards and six touchdowns on 126 attempts through eight games in 2024.
Two catches, two touchdowns for Terry
Terry McLaurin only caught two passes in the Washington Commanders’ win over the New York Giants, but both of those catches put six points on the board for his team.
McLaurin hauled in a 1-yard touchdown catch from Jayden Daniels in the first quarter, then capped off the first half by bringing in another touchdown reception from 18 yards out.
TERRY TUDDY, TERRY TUDDY
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) November 3, 2024
#WASvsNYG FOX pic.twitter.com/WJQ8pXgEJ5
2 catches = 2 touchdowns for @TheTerry_25
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) November 3, 2024
#WASvsNYG FOX pic.twitter.com/j2PWcq6WQG
McLaurin is now just one shy of his career-high for an NFL season with six touchdown receptions. He ranks seventh in the NFL with 598 receiving yards on 42 catches for the year.
Olave suffers concussion on scary hit
The scariest moment of NFL Week 9 occurred in the first quarter of the New Orleans Saints’ loss to the Carolina Panthers when former Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave appeared to be knocked out cold when he was hit simultaneously by two Panthers defenders as he attempted to catch a high throw.
Chris Olave takes a nasty shot. Hope he's ok pic.twitter.com/LjFbFIxzpx
— Saints Film Room (@SaintsFilmRoom) November 3, 2024
Olave was stretchered off the field and taken to a hospital for further evaluation, but he was discharged from the hospital later Sunday after he was diagnosed with a concussion.
Thank God Preciate all the love & prayers Ima be aight
— Chris Olave (@chrisolave_) November 3, 2024
Wilson and Smith-Njigba were among those who publicly showed their support for their former Ohio State teammate after the injury.
Love big dawg.
— Garrett Wilson (@GarrettWilson_V) November 3, 2024
Jaxon Smith-Njigba opens his media session giving best wishes to friend Chris Olave. pic.twitter.com/Vd9SjF6owq
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 4, 2024
Olave has now suffered four concussions in just three NFL seasons, which could prompt further conversation about his football future and whether he needs to do more to protect his head. Just last week, Olave said publicly that he was considering wearing a Guardian Cap, the helmet protector that NFL players wear in practice and are now allowed to wear in games starting this season, though he ultimately decided not to wear one against the Panthers.
The injury also raised questions about Olave’s long-term future with the Saints, especially after Olave’s brothers and fellow former Ohio State receiver Michael Thomas all took to social media to criticize Saints quarterback Derek Carr for his throw, which they felt put Olave in harm’s way.
— Josh Olave (@josh_olave) November 3, 2024
Dog shit QBs get us tf outta here
— Isiah Zeek Olav (@olavegetsactive) November 3, 2024
NOLA QB Derek Carr responding to tweets from former #Saints WR Michael Thomas sent during the game about his pass being the reason Chris Olave suffered another concussion.
— Fletcher Mackel (@FletcherWDSU) November 3, 2024
h/t @Kat_Terrell with the question pic.twitter.com/JWFwtCkodw
Broncos extend Cooper, trade Browning
The Denver Broncos gave a four-year contract extension to one of their edge rushers from Ohio State while trading the other one to the Arizona Cardinals.
According to multiple reports, Jonathon Cooper signed a four-year, $60 million contract extension with the Broncos over the weekend that includes $33 million in guaranteed money.
One reason the #Broncos felt comfortable dealing edge Baron Browning: Over the weekend, they signed OLB Jonathan Cooper to a 4-year, $60M deal with $33M guaranteed, source says.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 4, 2024
That news broke just minutes after the Broncos struck a deal with the Arizona Cardinals to send Baron Browning to Arizona for a sixth-round pick.
Arizona will send a sixth-round pick to Denver for Baron Browning, who has 9.5 career sacks. https://t.co/USFWHulbCg
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 4, 2024
The Broncos selected Browning in the third round and Cooper in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL draft. Cooper has been the more productive player between the two in Denver, however. Three-and-a-half seasons into their NFL careers, Cooper has recorded 193 tackles with 18.5 sacks in 56 games while Browning has recorded 114 tackles with 9.5 sacks in 43 games.
As both players were set to become free agents after this season, the Broncos chose to keep Cooper over Browning as part of their long-term plans.
Quick Hits
- Nick Vannett caught two passes for 33 yards – the most receiving yards he’s had in a game since 2021 – and scored his second touchdown of the season in the Tennesse Titans’ win over the New England Patriots. The touchdown came on the 100th reception of his NFL career.
100th career reception for @N_Vannett81 is a touchdown
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) November 3, 2024
: Watch #NEvsTEN on @NFLonFOX stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/plIiTpK2D1
- Noah Brown followed up his game-winning Hail Mary touchdown catch from Week 8 with another productive game in Week 9. He led the Commanders with five receptions for 60 yards, highlighted by a 31-yard catch, in their 27-22 win over the Giants.
NOAH!!!!!!!!!!!!
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) November 3, 2024
#WASvsNYG FOX pic.twitter.com/85WEV74qQr
- Eli Apple made his season debut with the Chargers, who elevated him from their practice squad for the game against the Browns. He recorded two tackles and played 34 defensive snaps in their 27-10 victory.
- Malik Harrison recorded his first sack of the season as part of a four-tackle day in the Baltimore Ravens’ 41-10 win over the Denver Broncos.
- C.J. Stroud had the lowest completion percentage of his NFL career (36.7%) as he completed only 11 of his 30 passing attempts for 191 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the Texans’ loss to the Jets.
- Ezekiel Elliott was inactive for the Dallas Cowboys’ loss to the Atlanta Falcons – the first time he’s ever been a healthy scratch in his NFL career – after missing his third team meeting of the season on Friday, according to NFL Network’s Jane Slater.
Ezekiel Elliott is a healthy scratch today. The first of his career. According to a number of sources, Elliott has been distracted this season. Aside from habitual tardiness, hes missed three team meetings with Fridays meeting the final straw. Both parties decided it was best
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) November 3, 2024
Week 9 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.)
| PLAYER | POSITION | TEAM | WEEK 9 STATS | SEASON STATS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELI APPLE | CB | CHARGERS | 2 tackles | 2 tackles |
| JEROME BAKER | LB | TITANS | Did not play | 37 tackles, 1 sack (0 yards), 2 TFL, 1 QB hit, 2 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR |
| VONN BELL | S | BENGALS | 3 tackles, 1 TFL | 44 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit, 1 INT, 2 PD |
| JOEY BOSA | DE | CHARGERS | 1 QB hit | 9 tackles, 2 sacks (14 yards), 2 TFL, 4 QB hits |
| NICK BOSA | DE | 49ERS | Bye | 28 tackles, 4.5 sacks (19.5 yards), 7 TFL, 12 QB hits, 1 INT, 1 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR |
| NOAH BROWN | WR | COMMANDERS | 5 catches, 60 yards | 22 catches, 318 yards, 1 TD |
| BARON BROWNING | LB | BRONCOS | 1 tackle | 7 tackles, 1 TFL |
| PARRIS CAMPBELL | WR | EAGLES | Practice squad | 6 catches, 30 yards, 1 TD |
| JONATHON COOPER | LB | BRONCOS | 4 tackles | 35 tackles, 5.5 sacks (27.5 yards), 6 TFL, 11 QB hits, 1 FF |
| TAYLOR DECKER | OT | LIONS | Started at LT | 8 starts at LT |
| J.K. DOBBINS | RB | CHARGERS | 14 carries, 85 yards, 2 TD; 2 catches, 20 yards | 126 carries, 620 yards, 6 TD; 16 catches, 96 yards |
| TOMMY EICHENBERG | LB | RAIDERS | 2 tackles | 9 tackles |
| EZEKIEL ELLIOTT | RB | COWBOYS | Inactive | 48 carries, 149 yards, 2 TD; 3 catches, 15 yards |
| LUKE FARRELL | TE | JAGUARS | 1 catch, 5 yards | 6 catches, 36 yards; 1 tackle |
| JUSTIN FIELDS | QB | STEELERS | Bye | 106/160, 1,106 yards, 5 TD, 1 INT; 55 carries, 231 yards, 5 TD |
| JORDAN FULLER | S | PANTHERS | Injured reserve (hamstring) | 15 tackles |
| MIKE HALL JR. | DT | BROWNS | 2 tackles, 1 QB hit | 5 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 QB hit |
| DAVON HAMILTON | DT | JAGUARS | 4 tackles | 25 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 QB hit |
| JOHNATHAN HANKINS | DT | SEAHAWKS | 1 tackle | 22 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 QB hit |
| MALIK HARRISON | LB | RAVENS | 4 tackles, 1 sack (6 yards) | 16 tackles, 1 sack (6 yards), 1 TFL |
| ZACH HARRISON | DL | FALCONS | Played at DE | 10 tackles |
| MARVIN HARRISON JR. | WR | CARDINALS | 2 catches, 34 yards | 28 catches, 445 yards, 5 TD |
| CAMERON HEYWARD | DT | STEELERS | Bye | 33 tackles, 3 sacks (26 yards), 4 TFL, 12 QB hits, 2 PD |
| RONNIE HICKMAN | S | BROWNS | Played at S | 17 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PD, 1 FR |
| JALYN HOLMES | DE | COMMANDERS | 1 tackle | 7 tackles, 1 sack (5 yards), 2 TFL, 2 QB hits |
| MALIK HOOKER | S | COWBOYS | 3 tackles | 35 tackles, 2 PD |
| SAM HUBBARD | DE | BENGALS | 3 tackles, 2 QB hits | 36 tackles, 2 sacks (6 yards), 3 TFL, 8 QB hits, 1 INT, 2 PD, 1 FF |
| JONAH JACKSON | OG | RAMS | Injured reserve (shoulder) | 1 start at C, 1 start at LG |
| PARIS JOHNSON JR. | OL | CARDINALS | Started at LT | 9 starts at LT |
| CAMERON JOHNSTON | P | STEELERS | Injured reserve (knee) | 2 punts, 51.5 average, 1 inside 20 |
| DAWAND JONES | OT | BROWNS | Started at LT | 5 starts at RT, 2 starts at LT, 8 games played |
| DRE'MONT JONES | DE | SEAHAWKS | 1 tackle, 2 QB hits | 19 tackles, 3 sacks (27 yards), 5 TFL, 9 QB hits, 1 PD, 1 FF |
| MICHAEL JORDAN | OG | PATRIOTS | Started at LG | 8 starts at LG, 1 FR |
| MARSHON LATTIMORE | CB | SAINTS | Inactive | 30 tackles, 2 PD |
| TYQUAN LEWIS | DT | COLTS | Injured reserve (elbow) | 17 tackles, 1.5 sack (9.5 yards), 2 TFL, 3 QB hits |
| TANNER McCALISTER | S | BRONCOS | Practice squad | 1 tackle |
| LIAM McCULLOUGH | LS | FALCONS | Played at LS | 9 games played |
| TERRY McLAURIN | WR | COMMANDERS | 2 catches, 19 yards, 2 TD | 42 catches, 598 yards, 6 TD; 2 carries, 2 yards |
| RAEKWON McMILLAN | LB | PATRIOTS | 3 tackles, 1 TFL | 45 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit |
| THAYER MUNFORD | OT | RAIDERS | Started at RT | 4 starts at RT, 6 games played |
| JOSH MYERS | C | PACKERS | Inactive | 8 starts at C |
| JEFF OKUDAH | CB | TEXANS | Injured reserve (hip) | Played on special teams |
| CHRIS OLAVE | WR | SAINTS | 1 catch, 13 yards | 32 catches, 400 yards, 1 TD; 1 carry, 7 yards; 2 tackles |
| NICHOLAS PETIT-FRERE | OL | TITANS | Played on special teams | 4 starts at RT |
| JEREMY RUCKERT | TE | JETS | 1 catch, 4 yards | 10 catches, 50 yards; 1 tackle |
| CURTIS SAMUEL | WR | BILLS | Played at WR | 12 catches, 92 yards; 3 carries, 6 yards |
| TREY SERMON | RB | COLTS | 2 carries, 4 yards; 1 catch, 9 yards | 47 carries, 131 yards, 2 TD; 10 catches, 68 yards |
| KENDALL SHEFFIELD | CB | JETS | 1 tackle | 3 tackles |
| JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA | WR | SEAHAWKS | 7 catches, 180 yards, 2 TD | 50 catches, 568 yards, 3 TD; 1/1 passing, 35 yards |
| CADE STOVER | TE | TEXANS | Started at TE | 7 catches, 85 yards |
| C.J. STROUD | QB | TEXANS | 11/30, 191 yards; 8 carries, 59 yards | 188/296, 2,139 yards, 11 TD, 4 INT; 31 carries, 143 yards |
| NICK VANNETT | TE | TITANS | 2 catches, 33 yards, 1 TD | 10 catches, 78 yards, 2 TD |
| SHAUN WADE | CB | CHARGERS | Practice squad | Has not played |
| DENZEL WARD | CB | BROWNS | 1 tackle, 2 PD | 16 tackles, 1 QB hit, 14 PD |
| PETE WERNER | LB | SAINTS | 8 tackles | 38 tackles, 2 TFL |
| GARRETT WILSON | WR | JETS | 9 catches, 90 yards, 2 TD | 60 catches, 663 yards, 5 TD |
| LUKE WYPLER | C | BROWNS | Injured reserve (ankle) | Has not played |
| CHASE YOUNG | DE | SAINTS | Played at DE | 17 tackles, 2.0 sacks (11.5 yards), 4 TFL, 12 QB hits, 1 PD |
