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Mountaineers in the Pros: Week 16
December 20, 2016 01:14 PM | Football
Nick Kwiatkoski/Photo courtesy of the Chicago Bears
In this week’s report, three Mountaineers have already punched their tickets to the playoffs. Mark Glowinski helped Seattle win the NFC West, while Bruce Irvin and Karl Joseph guided Oakland to its first playoff berth in 14 years. Nine other Mountaineers are still in playoff contention with two weeks of the regular season remaining.
Twitter: @mario_alford
Next Game: Saturday, Dec. 24 – vs. San Diego – 1 p.m. ET
Mario Alford was added to Cleveland’s active roster on Dec. 17, just four days after he signed to the practice squad. Alford did not play in the Browns, 33-13, loss at Buffalo. Cleveland (0-14) plays host to San Diego (5-9) on Saturday, Dec. 24.
Twitter: @Tayaustin01
Next Game: Saturday, Dec. 24 – vs. San Francisco – 4:25 p.m. ET
Tavon Austin ran two times for 13 yards and caught three passes for 14 yards in Los Angeles’ 24-3 loss at Seattle on Thursday. Austin has a career-high 477 receiving yards in 13 games this season. Los Angeles (4-10) plays host to San Francisco (1-13) on Saturday, Dec. 24.
Twitter: @Barclay_64
Next Game: Saturday, Dec. 24 – vs. Minnesota – 1 p.m. ET
Don Barclay played nine snaps in Green Bay’s 30-27 win over Chicago on Sunday. Green Bay is still in the hunt for the NFC North and a wild card sport. The Packers (7-6-1) play host to Minnesota (7-7) on Saturday, Dec. 24.
Next Game: Saturday, Dec. 24 – at Houston – 8:25 p.m. ET
Will Clarke played 27 snaps on defense in Cincinnati’s 24-20 setback to rival Pittsburgh on Sunday. Clarke and the Bengals (5-8-1) visit Houston (8-6) in a Christmas Eve night matchup.
Next Game: Injured Reserve
Rookie KJ Dillon was placed on injured reserve after suffering an injury against Indianapolis on Monday, Oct. 17. Although Dillion may have been sidelined, he and his teammates helped 14 needy children by picking out clothing and toys in a shopping spree.
Twitter: @T_Garvin28
Next Game: Saturday, Dec. 24 – at Chicago – 1 p.m. ET
Terence Garvin recorded a tackle in 26 snaps as Washington fell 26-15 to Carolina on Monday. The four-year pro has nine tackles in 13 games this season, tying his total from last season with Pittsburgh. Washington (7-6-1) visits Chicago (3-11) on Saturday, Dec. 24.
Next Game: Saturday, Dec. 24 – vs. Arizona – 4:25 p.m. ET
Mark Glowinski played 65 snaps in Seattle’s 24-3 victory over Los Angeles last Thursday. Glowinski and the NFC West Champion Seahawks (9-4-1) are still fighting for a No. 2 seed in the NFC as Seattle plays host to Arizona (5-8-1) on Saturday, Dec. 24.
Next Game: Thursday, Dec. 22 – vs. New York Giants – 8:25 p.m. ET
Najee Goode made a tackle in 17 special teams snaps, as Philadelphia dropped a 27-26 heartbreaker at Baltimore on Sunday. Philadelphia (5-9) plays host to the New York Giants (10-4) on Thursday, Dec. 22.
Next Game: Saturday, Dec. 24 – vs. Indianapolis – 4:05 p.m. ET
Bruce Irvin recorded six tackles, three quarterback hurries and two sacks and forced a fumble as Oakland clinched its first playoff berth in 14 years with a 19-16 win at San Diego on Sunday. Irvin’s forced fumble ended a San Diego drive in the first quarter and his first sack of Chargers QB Philip Rivers also ended another drive. Irvin has amassed a career-high 43 tackles, seven sacks and five forced fumbles in 14 games this season. Oakland must finish one game ahead of Kansas City (10-4) in order to win the AFC West Division. The Raiders (11-3) play host to Indianapolis (7-7) on Saturday, Dec. 24.
Twitter: @WillJohnson_6
Next Game: Injured Reserve
Will Johnson signed a free agent contract with the New York Giants in April. Johnson had played in 47 straight games in the regular season with the Steelers, which was the third-longest active streak among NFL fullbacks. However, he suffered an injury early in the preseason and was placed on the Giants injured reserve list.
Twitter: @REALPACMAN24
Next Game: Saturday, Dec. 24 – at Houston – 8:25 p.m. ET
Adam Jones registered three tackles and two pass deflections in Cincinnati’s 24-20 setback to Pittsburgh on Sunday. Jones and the Bengals (5-8-1) visit Houston (8-6) on Saturday, Dec. 24.
Instagram: @k_8joseph
Next Game: Saturday, Dec. 24 – vs. Indianapolis – 4:05 p.m. ET
Karl Joseph has been inactive the last two weeks due to injury. The rookie suffered a toe injury in the first half of the Buffalo game on Dec. 4. His status is unknown at this time for the Raiders (11-3) against Indianapolis (7-7).
Twitter: @nkwiatkoski27
Next Game: Saturday, Dec. 24 – vs. Washington – 1 p.m. ET
Nick Kwiatkoski recorded five tackles in Chicago’s 30-27 loss to Green Bay on Sunday. The rookie has 33 tackles, two pass deflections, a forced fumble and a sack in 12 games this season. Chicago (3-11) plays host to Washington (7-6-1) on Saturday, Dec. 24.
Twitter: @PatMcAfeeShow
Next Game: Saturday, Dec. 24 – at Oakland – 4:05 p.m. ET
Pat McAfee averaged 42.3 yards on his two punt attempts and landed two inside the 20-yard line as Indianapolis rolled to a 34-6 win over Minnesota on Sunday. The Colts (7-7) remain alive in the AFC Playoff hunt with a visit to Oakland (11-3) on Saturday, Dec. 24.
Twitter: @Gods_Exertion98
Next Game: Practice Squad
Shaq Riddick was signed to Pittsburgh’s practice squad on Dec. 13. Riddick was originally drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He was released by Arizona on Sept. 27.
Next Game: Saturday, Dec. 24 – at New Orleans – 4:25 p.m. ET
Charles Sims caught three passes for 15 yards and ran three times for four yards, as Tampa Bay fell 26-20 at Dallas. Tampa Bay (8-6) remains in the playoff hunt with a visit to New Orleans (6-8) on Saturday, Dec. 24.
Twitter: @wsmallwood28
Next Game: Injured Reserve
Wendell Smallwood carried the ball three times for three yards and returned a kickoff for 27 yards before leaving the Dec. 11 game against Washington in the second quarter. Smallwood suffered a season-ending knee injury and was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 16.
Dreamius Smith
Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL)
RB | 5-11 | 225
Wichita, Kan.
Twitter: @dreamius2
Next Game: Practice Squad
Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL)
RB | 5-11 | 225
Wichita, Kan.
Twitter: @dreamius2
Next Game: Practice Squad
Dreamius Smith was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad on Nov. 28. Smith signed an undrafted free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers last season. He was placed on injured reserve on August 30 and released two days later. Smith appeared in two games with the Chargers in 2015.
Twitter: @GenoSmith7
Next Game: Injured Reserve
Geno Smith started his first game of the season and completed 4-of-8 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown before suffering a torn ACL against Baltimore on Oct. 23. Smith was placed on the injured reserve on Oct. 26.
Twitter: @quinton_spain
Next Game: Saturday, Dec. 24 – at Jacksonville – 1 p.m. ET
Quinton Spain played 69 snaps in Tennessee’s 19-17, come-from-behind win at Kansas City on Sunday. With two more wins, Tennessee can win the AFC South title. The Titans (8-6) visit Jacksonville (2-12) on Saturday, Dec. 24.
Twitter: @kytandy
Next Game: Saturday, Dec. 24 – at New Orleans – 4:25 p.m. ET
Keith Tandy finished second with a career-high 14 tackles for Tampa Bay in a 26-20 loss at Dallas on Sunday. Tandy has 40 tackles, six pass deflections, two interceptions and a fumble recovery in 14 games played this season. The playoffs are still possible for the Buccaneers as Tampa Bay (8-6) visits New Orleans (6-8) on Saturday, Dec. 24.
Twitter: @TheRealJT3
Next Game: Injured Reserve
J.T. Thomas played 11 snaps on special teams before suffering a knee injury in New York’s 20-19 season-opening loss at Dallas. Subsequently, the Giants placed Thomas on injured reserve on Monday, Sept. 12.
Twitter: @mrkevinwhite
Next Game: Injured Reserve
Next Game: Injured Reserve
Kevin White caught 19 passes for 187 yards in four games before suffering an injury against Detroit on Oct. 2. White was placed on the injured reserve following the game. He had surgery on his fractured fibula. White will not return this season.
Twitter: @dworley7
Next Game: Saturday, Dec. 24 – vs. Atlanta – 1 p.m. ET
Daryl Worley registered five tackles in Carolina’s 26-15 victory at Washington on Monday. Worley’s 82 tackles are third among NFL rookies behind Atlanta’s Keanu Neal and Deion Jones. The Panthers (6-8) visit NFC South division leader Atlanta (9-5) on Saturday, Dec. 24.
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