Northwestern in the NFL, Week 9: Odenigbo continues to impress, McManis recognized

Saturday football isn’t very fun right now, but hey, at least there’s Sunday, right?

Oh, right.

Anyways, despite the Chicago area lacking in football success as of late, plenty of former Northwestern players have continued to earn their stripes at the pro level. Here’s how they all fared during Week 9 of the NFL season:

Dean Lowry - DE, Green Bay Packers

In the Packers’ worst showing this season, Lowry was unable to record any stats. While the Green Bay offense was relatively unproductive, their defense was suspect this week as well, giving up 26 in a blowout loss to the Chargers.

Tyler Lancaster - DT, Green Bay Packers

While Green Bay was unable to come away with a win, Lancaster was able to record his first career (half, but who cares) sack. Additionally, yesterday was his 25th birthday! Despite the loss, a career milestone isn’t too bad of a present if you ask me.

Danny Vitale - FB, Green Bay Packers

NU’s final member of the Packers, Vitale recorded no official offensive stats, though he did have a tackle on special teams. The Packer offense as a whole was uncharacteristically flat this week, only putting up 11 points against a mediocre Chargers defense in Los Angeles.

Anthony Walker Jr. - LB, Indianapolis Colts

Walker once again showed improvement this week, recording 10 total tackles and 1 TFL against the Steelers — his best numbers since The Franchise recorded 15 stops against Atlanta in Week 3. Despite Walker’s efforts, though, the Colts fell to Pittsburgh 26-24 on a missed 41-yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri.

Sherrick McManis - DB, Chicago Bears

Normally a special teams specialist for the Bears, McManis picked up 1 tackle on defense against the Eagles as Chicago dropped their fourth straight game. McManis’ special teams role has earned him some recognition, though, as PFF named him their special teams player of the month.

Austin Carr - WR, New Orleans Saints

After recording his first reception of the season last week, Carr and the Saints had a bye. They’ll return to action next week against Falcons at home.

Joe Jones - LB, Denver Broncos

Still contributing in a relatively small role to the Broncos’ defense, Jones was able to record one tackle this week, his fourth on the year. Denver was able to move to 3-6 after defeating the Browns 24-19.

Ifeadi Odenigbo - DE, Minnesota Vikings

Despite still being a low-volume player for the Vikings, Odenigbo is quickly proving himself. The former 7th-round pick recorded his third sack of the year (his second in two weeks) for a crucial late stop on a gorgeous inside move, along with another solo tackle against the Chiefs. If he is able to keep up this level of production, he could quickly find himself in a bigger role in Minnesota.

Justin Jackson - RB, Los Angeles Chargers

After spending five weeks on IR due to a calf injury, JJTBC was finally active for this week’s game. Having come fresh off a lengthy injury and being third on the depth chart behind Austin Ekeler and Melvin Gordon, Jackson saw just five snaps against Green Bay. However, he parlayed those five snaps into two carries for seven yards and a seven-yard reception.

Though he seems to be the third-string running back currently, Jackson’s ability to consistently make plays with the ball in his hands makes him a player to watch at all times when healthy.

This section was updated and corrected after publication.

Tyrell Sutton - RB, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL)

Sutton was absent from Hamilton’s final regular season game, having been placed on a single-game IR list. The Tiger-Cats will receive a first week BYE in the CFL playoffs before taking on either Edmonton or Montreal in the Eastern Division Finals.

Practice Squad Members: Nate Hall, LB, Buffalo Bills; Clayton Thorson, QB, Dallas Cowboys; Blake Hance, OT, Jacksonville Jaguars; Montre Hartage, S, Miami Dolphins

*New York Jets QB Trevor Siemian is out for the year after having season-ending surgery on his ankle.

*The Packers will have to make a decision this week on whether or not to activate S Ibraheim Campbell, who has spent the season on the PUP list so far.