BYU players in the NFL Week 8: Puka Nacua is back, and he’s spectacular!

Here’s the Week 8 summary of former BYU Cougars in the NFL. Power Rankings reflect this season's overall performance.  

No. 1 - Fred Warner, LB, San Francisco 49ers

Stats: 8 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit, 1 pass defended

Warner once again led the 49ers in tackles and, once again, drew raves from the Sunday Night Football broadcast crew. He was all over the field in helping San Francisco secure a much-needed win against the Dallas Cowboys. 

No. 2 - Kyle Van Noy, LB, Baltimore Ravens

Stats: 3 tackles, 1 pass defended

KVN continues to impact games, but his three tackles weren’t enough to prevent a bad Ravens loss to the Cleveland Browns. 

No. 3 - Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Stats: 7 receptions, 106 yards; 2 rushes, 5 yards

Welcome back, Puka! Under the national spotlight on Thursday Night Football, last year’s rookie record setter finally returned to action after injuring his knee in Week 1. In his return, Puka put on a show. Despite being “limited” he was targeted early and often in a 106-yard performance in a massive win for the Rams. It’s a joy for BYU fans to have him back on the field. 

No. 4 - Taysom Hill, TE/HB, New Orleans Saints

Stats: 1-of-1 passing for 3 yards; 4 rushes, 20 yards; 2 receptions, 21 yards; 1 forced fumble (safety)

I’m literally running out of room to type in all of Taysom’s stats! This was a vintage Taysom game with a completion, running the ball well (5.0 YPC), multiple receptions, and an impactful special teams play that resulted in a safety. Watching Taysom Hill play is football nirvana. 

No. 5 - Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons

Stats: 12 rushes, 33 yards

Last week I wrote candidly about the Falcons complete mismanagement of Tyler Allgeier this year. While his 12 rushes in Week 8 were his second most on the season, he wasn’t very productive registering just 33 yards. Some of this was situational as the Falcons force fed Allgeier late in the game in obvious running scenarios and he was met by a stacked box. He also bobbled a handoff that was booted into the end zone for a safety, but the fumble was credited to quarterback Kirk Cousins. 

No. 6 - Brady Christensen, C, Carolina Panthers

Stats: Starter, 2 penalties

The good news is Brady Christensen continues to start. The bad news is that it’s for the lowly Carolina Panthers who were once again overwhelmed in an uncompetitive loss. Brady committed two penalties in this one - a hold and a false start - but has otherwise been really, really solid for the Panthers. 

No. 7 - Ryan Rehkow, P, Cincinnati Bengals

Stats: No punts

While Rehkow contributed as the holder for field goals, the Bengals didn’t punt the ball once in this one. 

No. 8 - Khyiris Tonga, DT, Arizona Cardinals

Stats: Starter, 2 tackles, 38 defensive snaps

After a season of being an outstanding rotational player, Khyiris Tonga got his first start of his 2024 campaign. Tonga recorded two more tackles, giving him 15 on the season. He just keeps getting better every week and is now an entrenched member of the Cardinals defensive line. 

No. 9 - Jamaal Williams, RB, New Orleans Saints

Stats: 2 rushes, 4 yards

Jamaal’s touches will be limited with the return of Taysom Hill and the emergence of running back Kendre Miller who had three rushes for 16 yards. Jamaal isn’t giving the Saints coaching staff reasons to feature him more in the offense with 32 carries for 124 yards, or 3.9 yards per carry. 

No. 10 - Chris Brooks, RB, Green Bay Packers

Stats: 4 rushes, 16 yards; 1 reception, 1 yard; 1 tackle

In an absolutely awesome development for Chris Brooks, he got five touches in a close game that came down to the wire. Most importantly, with less than a minute left in a 27-27 tie and the Packers trusted him with the ball in his hands to set up the game winning field goal. Jacksonville was trying to let Brooks score on his final carry, but the young player was aware enough to go down on his own and prevent Jacksonville from getting the ball back.

No. 11 - Zayne Anderson, S, Green Bay Packers

Stats: 1 tackle, 2 defensive snaps, 21 special teams snaps

It’s a miracle! Zayne Anderson has finally played a defensive snap! Through four NFL seasons and 24 games played, Zayne had only played on special teams. He had played more than 350 special teams snaps with zero career defensive snaps until last week! Well done Zayne for getting two defensive reps. Hopefully this is just the first step in more defensive snaps to come!

No. 12 - Michael Davis, CB, Washington Commanders

Stats: No stats, 11 special teams snaps

While the Washington Commanders won on a miraculous Hail Mary, Michael Davis’s role was limited to special teams and he didn’t record any stats in this one. 

No. 13 - Kingsley Suamataia, OT, Kansas City Chiefs

Stats: No stats, 5 special teams snaps

The rookie played limited snaps as the Chiefs beat the Las Vegas Raiders to get to 7-0 on the season. 

No. 14 - Sione Takitaki, LB, New England Patriots

Stats: No stats, 5 defensive snaps

Takitaki continues to slowly establish himself in his new home with the New England Patriots. After starting the season injured he made his first appearance two weeks ago then got limited action this week as the Patriots brought joy to nearly every BYU fan by handing the New York Jets yet another humbling loss. 

Did Not Play:

Blake Freeland, OT, Indianapolis Colts (Inactive)

Zach Wilson, QB, Denver Broncos (Inactive)

On Practice Squads:

Kedon Slovis, QB, Houston Texans

Max Tooley, LB, Minnesota Vikings

Jaren Hall, QB, Seattle Seahawks

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