Rice Football is well represented on 2021 NFL rosters. Here’s the latest from the NFL Owls from this week and the season as a whole.
There are former Rice football players scattered across the NFL. Stay tuned each week for their game results and notables from each player.
| Team | NFL Owl(s) | Week 17 | Result | Next |
| LA Chargers | Christian Covington (DL) | at Las Vegas (SNF) | L, 35-32 (OT) | — |
| Denver | Calvin Anderson (OL) Bryce Callahan (CB) |
vs Kansas City | L, 28-24 | — |
| Pittsburgh | Chris Boswell (PK) | at Baltimore | W, 16-13 (OT) | at Kansas City |
| Detroit | Jack Fox (P) | vs Green Bay | W, 37-30 | — |
| Tampa Bay | Nick Leverett (OL) | vs Carolina | W, 41-17 | vs Eagles |
| Indianapolis | Andrew Sendejo (Saf) | at Jacksonville | L, 26-11 | — |
| Falcons | Austin Trammell (WR) | vs Saints | L, 30-20 | — |
| New York Jets | Austin Walter (RB) | at Buffalo | L, 27-10 | — |
Offense
Calvin Anderson – OT, Broncos
Anderson was placed on injured reserve following a leg injury suffered in the Broncos’ Week 13 loss to the Chiefs. He did not play in their Week 18 game against the Chiefs. He made three starts this season.
Nick Leverett – OT, Buccaneers
Leverett was inactive for the Bucs’ Week 18 game against the Panthers. He’d been active in recent weeks and saw action against those same Panthers in Week 16. He’ll be ready should he be needed in relief in the playoffs after making two appearances in the regular season.
Austin Trammell – WR, Falcons
Trammell was active once again this week after being elevated to the active roster from the practice squad. In a seemingly related move, the team released Marvin Hall earlier in the week, clearing room for Trammell to see the field. Trammell played six special teams snaps, a career-high after registering just one official play in his Week 17 debut.
Austin Watler – RB, Jets
With most of the running back room healthy this week, Walter was kept off the stat sheet after totaling a career-high 49 rushing yards in Week 17. He finishes the season with 101 rushing yards on 26 caries and two receptions for nine yards. He scored his first carer touchdown in Week 7 against the Texans in Houston.
Defense
Bryce Callahan – CB, Broncos
After missing the Broncos’ Week 17 game because of a short stint on the COVID-19 IR, Callahan returned for the season finale against the Chiefs, finishing with four tackles, three of which were solo takedowns. He finishes the season with 29 total tackles, three tackles for a loss and four passes defended.
Christian Covington – DL, Chargers
Covington’picked up two tackles in a wild Sunday Night Football loss at the hands of the Raiders. He finishes the season with 52 total tackles, three tackles for a loss and one quarterback hit.
Andrew Sendejo – S, Colts
Sendejo was placed on the COVID 19 list, forcing him to miss the Colts’ Week 18 game. He finishes the season with 40 total tackles, two tackles for a loss and two passes defended.
Special Teams
Jack Fox – P, Lions
Fox punted twice against the Packers, including a long punt of 67 yards. He also attempted one pass, which fell incomplete. He finishes the season with 65 punts with an average of 49.2, the second-best mark in the NFL. He booted a 70-yard punt against the Bears, his career-long.
Chris Boswell – K, Steelers
Boswell was perfect once again, including the game-winning field goal in overtime to lift the Steelers over the Ravens and ultimately send his team to the playoffs. He was 3-for-3 on the day with his field goal attempts and made his lone extra point try as well.
Boswell finishes the regular season 36-of-40 on field goals with a long of 56 yards. He made 8-of-9 kicks from 50+ yards and contributed 135 total points.
More Owls in the NFL
Former Rice football alums Justin Hill and James Casey are on the coaching staff of the Cincinnati Bengals, who play the Raiders in the Wild Card Round.
From practice squads to current free agents, there are other Owls on the cusp of returning to active rosters. Find more detail on current contractual agreements and former Rice football players waiting for their next opportunity here.
