Across The Shield: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, J.K. Dobbins and Terry McLaurin All Score Two Touchdowns in NFL Week 9

By Dan Hope on November 4, 2024 at 12:30 pm
Garrett Wilson making his spectacular one-handed touchdown catch
Ed Mulholland – 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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
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.

Here’s a few more videos and photos of the catch for a more complete look at just how spectacular it was:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wilson and Smith-Njigba were among those who publicly showed their support for their former Ohio State teammate after the injury.

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.

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.

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.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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.)

Buckeyes Around the NFL
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
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