Northwestern NFL Preseason Week 3 Recap: Trevor Siemian, Austin Carr move closer to the spotlight

The third week of the preseason was less eventful than the first two (at least when viewed through a Northwestern lens), but it still had its share of important moments. Let’s dive right into it.

Trevor Siemian, QB, Denver Broncos: The newly-crowned Broncos starting quarterback took a step backwards this week, going 13 of 22 for 127 yards and a pick. Here’s the interception:

Siemian did have bright spots, though, including a nice 16 yard scramble:

Shoutout to @TrevJSiemian for fighting the good fight and posting Trevor Siemian highlights to stop the haters whenever possible.

Siemian also threw a perfect back-shoulder dime:

Despite the mistake, Siemian, by all accounts, has a solid hold on the job.

Austin Carr, WR, New England Patriots: We discussed how Julian Edelman’s injury could open the door for Austin Carr. However, even after Carr put in another solid performance in the Patriots’ Week 3 matchup with the Lions (3 receptions for 30 yards on 4 targets), others aren’t so sure. Some Patriots beat writers still have Carr outside of their projected 53 man roster. Regardless of whether Carr ends up with the Patriots, he is virtually guaranteed at least a practice squad slot and has a good chance of catching on with a receiver-needy team like the New York Jets or the good football player-needy Chicago Bears.

Dean Lowry, DE, Green Bay Packers: Lowry was forced to sit out his potential matchup with Trevor Siemian because of the injury he sustained last week, which is officially a sprained MCL. He is still a lock for the roster, and will have the chance to compete for plenty of snaps when he returns.

Anthony Walker Jr., LB, Indianapolis Colts: The highest-picked Northwestern alum in the 2017 draft continues to put in solid work, coming up with 4 tackles including a big hit on special teams. Walker has continued to impress and his bid for a starting spot (or at least significant time on the field) has picked up steam.

Corbin Bryant, DT, New York Giants: Bryant’s elbow injury from two weeks ago led to him being officially placed on injured reserve by the Giants. We wish him the best, and hope to see him on the field again soon.

Ibraheim Campbell, S, Cleveland Browns: Campbell is still dealing with concussive symptoms from a play in Week 1 of the preseason. He returned to practice late this week, but was deemed unfit to play against the Bucs on Saturday.

Dan Vitale, FB, Cleveland Browns: On Monday, he rampaged through the Giants defense:

Unfortunately, this week the second-year fullback injured his ankle, leaving the locker room in a walking boot after the Browns’ win over the Bucs.

CJ Robbins, Ifeadi Odenigbo, Brian Peters, Zach Strief, Sherrick McManis and Joe Jones all remain on the rosters of their respective teams, but had largely uneventful weeks. The status of all 13 former Northwestern players currently in the NFL will be updated after cuts are announced. (September 2nd is the deadline)