Pro Blue: Veteran defensive end logs sack in Colts debut

As the calendar crosses over to December, the stretch run is officially here for NFL teams aiming to make the playoffs. Several former Michigan Wolverines are helping their respective NFL teams late in the regular season.

Here are the most memorable performances, starting with a defensive lineman going from the podcast mic back to the gridiron.

Not many podcasters can say they sacked a quarterback this past weekend, but Chris Wormley can.

Wormley, who was elevated from the Indianapolis Colts practice squad before the game, has been podcasting with our friends at Blue By Ninety this year. He and Jordan Strack just released a preview episode of The Game with Brandon Graham less than a week ago.

But Wormley still made an impact in the Colts’ loss to the Houston Texans by racking up two tackles and a sack. In 88 games across parts of nine seasons, he has made 152 tackles and 12 sacks, including a career-high seven sacks in 2021.

Per the Colts’ transaction log, Wormley is back on the practice squad, but at least he made the most of the opportunity.

In that same game, Colts defensive end Kwity Paye was credited with six tackles.

If you started Nico Collins, Blake Corum and Zach Charbonnet in your fantasy league this week, you may have clinched a playoff spot.

With C.J. Stroud back in the lineup, Collins shined in the win, securing five catches for 98 yards and scoring on an end-around.

Collins has earned the 10th-highest Pro Football Focus grade (83.3) among wide receivers this season.

He wasn’t the only former Michigan player to score a rushing touchdown in a win, as Charbonnet scored and compiled 52 yards on 14 carries in Seattle’s win over the Minnesota Vikings.

In that same game, Vikings safety Josh Metellus recorded four tackles and two passes defensed, and A.J. Barner led the Seahawks with 35 receiving yards on four catches.

While the Los Angeles Rams got upset by the Carolina Panthers, Corum did find the end zone, leading the Rams with 81 rushing yards.

In that same game, Rams linebacker Josaiah Stewart logged two tackles.

-In a win over the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day, Packers defensive end Rashan Gary was credited for two tackles. In that same game, Aidan Hutchinson recorded six tackles for the Lions.

-In a win over the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving, Cincinnati Bengals cornerback DJ Turner II recorded a tackle and a pass defensed. He also recovered a fumble.

In that same game, Bengals safety Dax Hill recorded six tackles and two passes defensed.

-In a loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Mason Graham logged four tackles and a quarterback hit.

-In a loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football, Washington Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil was the second-leading tackler for his team with seven.