In Dallas’s Sunday night upset of Tampa Bay, K Brandon Aubrey (Stallions) was one of the stars, making three field goals from beyond 50 yards (58, 58, 53) and one from 49. (dallascowboys.com)
Tryouts
Just two tryouts took place involving spring football players during the week. G Zack Johnson (Stallions) was brought in by the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday, along with a few other interior offensive linemen. On the same day, TE Tyree Jackson (Defenders) worked out for the Washington Commanders.
Transactions
Jackson’s successful workout with the Commanders earned him a practice squad contract with the team. He is one of two tight ends currently on the 16-man unit. Elsewhere on Tuesday, G Liam Fornadel (Defenders) was released from the practice squad of the New England Patriots. The writing was on the wall when New England suffered several offensive line injuries this year and Fornadel was never called up to the game day roster.
Two receivers were on the transaction page on Saturday: WR Chris Blair (Defenders) was signed to the active roster of the Atlanta Falcons from their practice squad. He had been elevated twice this season and had one more elevation to go, but Atlanta brought him up anyway. Amid a swath of injuries suffered by the Detroit Lions, WR Maurice Alexander (Stars) was waived, one of three players to be let go from the team last weekend. He was replaced on the roster by practice squad WR Tom Kennedy.
XFL
*With Justin Herbert back to full health, QB Taylor Heinicke (Battlehawks) remained on the bench for the Los Angeles Chargers as Herbert’s immediate backup.
*Though he wasn’t needed very often, P Daniel Whelan (Defenders) still offered two punts for a 46.5 gross average (36.5 net), hurt by a touchback for the Green Bay Packers on Monday night.
*Playing against his former team, LS Scott Daly (New York Guardians) got on the board with a special teams tackle on a punt return after the first drive by the Chicago Bears offense. It’s his fourth special teams tackle of the season.
*Back to playing some on defense was S Elijah Campbell (Defenders) for the Miami Dolphins, adding a third safety to the back end on 19% of the defensive snaps (the other two safeties played all 100% of the snaps). He made two assisted tackles on the afternoon. Campbell also participated in 61% of the special teams plays.
*Snapping on Saturday, LS Christian Kuntz (Renegades) handled all punt and kick snaps for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
*QB Josh Johnson (Wildcats) was active but didn’t play as the second-string quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens.
*Getting some pub for the wrong reasons, LS Nick Moore (Tampa Bay Vipers) gave a slightly off-target snap that was corralled by holder Jordan Stout so that Justin Tucker could connect from 51 yards out in the Ravens’ win over the Steelers. The broadcast replayed Stout’s save a few times.
*Entering the game with two other backup offensive linemen in mop-up duty, OT Storm Norton (Wildcats) played the final two offensive drives for the Atlanta Falcons, totaling five snaps.
*An injury to WR Drake London opened the door for playing time on offense for WR Chris Blair (Defenders) in Atlanta. In his second career game, Blair hauled in his first catch, a shot from rookie QB Michael Penix, Jr. (appearing in his first game) over the middle good for 17 yards. It was one of the 37% of offensive snaps Blair played.
*Seeing just three snaps as an extra offensive lineman on offense for the Cleveland Browns, G Michael Dunn (Dragons) also played one snap on special teams on the extra point protection unit.
*Though active, DT C.J. Brewer (Roughnecks) once again did not play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
*Elevated due to an injury to DT Quinnen Williams, DT Bruce Hector (Renegades) saw his first game action since being re-signed to the practice squad of the New York Jets on November 20 following a short stint on the 53-man roster. Hector was initially credited with an assisted tackle, but upon review, that was changed so he was ultimately kept off the stat sheet. He played 38% of the snaps on defense, out-pacing rookie free agent Leonard Taylor at the position.
USFL
*For the Broncos, LS Mitchell Fraboni (Maulers) snapped on all punts and kicks Thursday evening.
*In a cross-conference game against the Miami Dolphins, the San Francisco 49ers declared DT Khalil Davis (Stallions) inactive.
*Staying active along the defensive line, DE LaBryan Ray (Stars) continued his strong play for the Carolina Panthers, this time accumulating four tackles (one solo, three assists) in 43% of the snaps.
*Starting the game as part of a four-down package on defense was DE Jeremiah Pharms, Jr. (Maulers) for the New England Patriots. This week, it was Pharms’s turn to stand out among spring football defensive linemen, making four tackles, including a sack, as well as two quarterback hits in playing 59% of snaps. He brought down all-world QB Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills on a 3rd-and-10 play, forcing Buffalo to settle for a Tyler Bass field goal.
*In Dallas’s Sunday night upset of Tampa Bay, K Brandon Aubrey (Stallions) was one of the stars, making three field goals from beyond 50 yards (58, 58, 53) and one from 49. His three from over 50 gave him 14 such kicks on the year, setting a single-season NFL record.
*In the starting lineup with the Cowboys showing a three-receiver set to start, WR KaVontae Turpin (Generals) wasn’t able to translate that into putting up significant numbers. He had one target, catching the ball for seven yards. He also lined up in the backfield as a running back on a few occasions, carrying three times for 11 yards. Turpin also returned two punts for 20 yards (a long of 18). He finished the game with 42% of offensive snaps played.
UFL
*In sacking Chargers QB Justin Herbert, LB Dondrea Tillman (Stallions) notched his fourth of the year. This one came in the third quarter, with Tillman fighting off a chip block by the tight end and maneuvering around an attempted block by the running back to bring down Herbert. It was one of two tackles (one solo, one assist) for Tillman on Thursday Night Football. He played 31% of defensive snaps and 66% on special teams.
*The only blemish on the record of K Jake Bates (Panthers) on Sunday was a 65-yarder that came up short just before halftime. Other than that, the Lion was good from 30 and 34, in addition to making all four extra points.
*The momentum of DE Jalen Redmond (Renegades) was halted due to injury: He was inactive for Minnesota’s game against Seattle due to a concussion.
*Playing just five snaps, LS Rex Sunahara (Brahmas) was on the field for four punts and one extra point in Cleveland’s loss to their cross-state rival, Cincinnati.
*QB Spencer Rattler completed just 15 passes on Monday Night Football; one of them was to WR Kevin Austin, Jr. (Stallions) for 17 yards. He did have four targets. Due to injuries at the position, Austin played a season-high 49 offensive snaps.
