How Wisconsin Football Alumni Performed: Preseason Week 2

We are officially two-thirds of the way through the NFL Preseason. There are still a lot of Wisconsin football players battling for roster spots and roles on teams. Many former Badgers did well in Week 1 and had an opportunity to build on to that in their second games.

Meanwhile, others may have put themselves into a bit of a hole. Game two of the preseason could give them a chance to turn some things around and start building some positive momentum.

All-in-all, there were still a lot of Wisconsin alumni in action. Here’s who stood out in Week 2 of the NFL preseason.

Generally, the second week of preseason is when the starters get a larger share of reps. That’s not necessarily the case for every team, but oftentimes it’s more or less of a dress rehearsal for the regular season. With that in mind, we got to see more out of some of the more established players in the league and less of the players vying for a roster spot.

Wisconsin football players in Week 2 of the preseason – Saturday, August 19

Jaguars vs. Lions

WR Kendric Pryor (JAX) – Pryor did not receive one target this week. He had one tackle on special teams.

OL Cole Van Lanen (JAX) – Van Lanen continues to play very well this preseason. Through two games, CVL has an overall PFF grade of 89.6 (elite). In fact, he is the second-highest-graded offensive lineman in the preseason this year.

Dolphins vs. Texans

FB Alec Ingold (MIA) – Did not play.

LB Andrew Van Ginkel (MIA) – Played just eight total snaps. Did not record a tackle.

OL Michael Deiter (HOU) – Played more snaps at center this week. Through two weeks, Deiter has an overall PFF grade of 57.6 (just below average).

OL Tyler Beach (HOU) – Beach had a better performance in Week 2, bringing his PFF overall grade to 63.8 (average) from a 59.6 last week. He played 15 offensive snaps, all at right tackle.

RB Dare Ogunbowale (HOU) – Ogunbowale did not receive a carry or target in Week 2.

Bills vs. Steelers

LB T.J. Watt (PIT) – Watt made his preseason debut, playing in eight total defensive snaps. He logged one tackle.

LB Nick Herbig (PIT) – For the second week in a row, Herbig made some plays. He finished the night with three tackles, including a sack. He now has an overall PFF grade of 90.6 (elite) in the preseason.

DL Isaiahh Loudermilk (PIT) – Loudermilk had two tackles on 27 defensive snaps played.

DL Keeanu Benton (PIT) – Benton has been battling a back injury. He didn’t play any defensive snaps.

OL David Andrews (BUF) – Edwards had a much better game this week than last. He logged 17 offensive snaps and had an overall grade of 72.5 (above average). All 13 snaps were at left guard.

Bears vs. Colts

RB Jonathan Taylor (IND) – Did not play.

LB TJ Edwards (CHI)  – The former Wisconsin football LB did not play.

LB Jack Sanborn (CHI) – Sanborn logged 13 defensive snaps on Saturday. He had four total tackles.

Buccaneers vs. Jets

OL Joe Tippmann (NYJ) – Tippmann played snaps at both center (nine) and left guard (15) on Saturday. PFF gave him an overall grade of 58.6 (below average) for the day.

WR Alex Erickson (NYJ) – Erickson caught one pass for 11 yards. He played in 18 total offensive snaps. He also returned one punt for 10 yards.

Chiefs vs. Cardinals

LB Leo Chenal (KC) – Chenal logged four total tackles vs. the Cardinals in 20 defensive snaps.

RB Corey Clement (ARI) – Clement played in 17 offensive snaps. He had just two carries for three yards and one catch for four yards on two targets.

Broncos vs. 49ers

QB Russell Wilson (DEN) – Wilson played in 12 offensive snaps. He went 3/6 passing for 24 yards. He also added 25 yards on the ground.

DL Matt Henningsen (DEN) – Although the stats won’t show it, Henningsen had a solid game. He played in 20 defensive snaps and had two pressures. He also deflected a pass. PFF gave him an overall grade of 78.2 (above average).

CB Faion Hicks (DEN) – Hicks got a lot of playing time on Saturday. He played 35 defensive snaps, logging four tackles, the second-most on the team. Unfortunately, he didn’t grade out very well. PFF gave him an overall grade of 36.3 (very poor). He was targeted five times, giving up completions on all five, for 96 yards.

TE Troy Fumagalli (SF) – Fumagalli recorded one catch for three yards. He played in just 10 offensive snaps.

Raiders vs. Rams

OL Rob Havenstein (LAR) – Did not play.

OL Logan Bruss (LAR) – After a rough Week 1, Bruss tightened up a little bit. He still allowed a pressure (compared to four last week) but didn’t give up a sack in 16 offensive snaps.

Cowboys vs. Seahawks

OL Tyler Biadasz (DAL) – Did not play. But he did make some headlines this week when he started a scrum in practice while watching his fellow offensive lineman’s back.

TE Jake Ferguson (DAL) – Did not play.

Wisconsin football players in Week 2 of the preseason – Sunday, August 20

Saints vs. Chargers

LB Zack Baun (NO) – Baun played in just 10 snaps. He tallied one tackle in limited action.

LB Ryan Connelly (NO) – Connelly continues to play well with the reps he’s given. He played in 27 defensive snaps on Sunday and had three tackles. He also added a sack onto his stat line.

OL Ryan Ramczyk (NO) – Did not play.

Wisconsin football players in Week 2 of the preseason – Monday, August 21

Ravens vs. Commanders

OL Kevin Zeitler (BAL) – Did not play.

RB Melvin Gordon (BAL) – Gordon was heavily involved in the Ravens’ offense on Monday night. He got eight carries for 34 yards. He also added one reception for one yard.

CB Rachad Wildgoose (WSH) – Wildgoose had four total tackles for the Commanders. But as a cornerback, having the most tackles on the team in a game generally isn’t a good thing. PFF gave him an overall grade of just 38.2 (very poor). He was targeted three times, giving up three receptions for 23 yards and a touchdown.