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Owls in the NFL – Week 17

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Rice football has nine alumni currently active on NFL rosters. Here’s how the NFL Owls fared in their respective Week 17 games.

Chris Boswell, K (Steelers) – Boswell missed the Steelers 2018 regular season finale with a groin injury. His replacement, Matt McCrane connected on all three of his field goal attempt and an extra point, accounting for 10 of the Steelers’ 16 points in their win over the Bengals. Pittsburgh missed the Playoffs.

Bryce Callahan, CB (Bears) – Callahan was placed on injured reserve after breaking a bone in his foot against the Los Angeles Rams. The Bears defeating the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17 and will host the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in the Wildcard Round.

Christian Covington, DE (Texans) – Covington was credited with one tackle and one quarterback hit in the Texans’ Week 17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Next week the Texans host the Colts in the Wild Card Round.

Phillip Gaines, CB (Browns) – Gaines missed the last four games of the Browns’ season with an injury. The Browns lost their Week 17 game to the Ravens.

Vance McDonald, TE (Steelers) – McDonald was targeted six times in the Steelers’ Week 17 loss. He caught three of those passes for 39 yards including a long of 22-yards, Pittsburgh’s second-longest reception of the day. McDonald caught 50 passes for 610 yards and four touchdowns this season, all career bests.

Andrew Sendejo, S (Vikings) – Placed on injured reserve after missing extended time following a groin injury. The Vikings’ missed the Playoffs.

Jordan Taylor, WR (Broncos) – On the PUP list following off-season surgery. The Broncos missed the Playoffs and have since fired head coach Vance Joseph.

Luke Wilson, TE (Lions) – Wilson missed the Lions’ final game of the regular season. His season ends with 13 receptions for 87 yards. This was the first season of his professional career in which he did not record at least one touchdown.

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Owls in the NFL – Week 16

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Rice football has nine alumni currently active on NFL rosters. Here’s how the NFL Owls fared in their respective Week 16 games.

Chris Boswell, K (Steelers) – Boswell was perfect on a pair of field goals and two extra points against the Saints with a long of 49 yards. Next week the Steelers host the Cincinnati Bengals.

Bryce Callahan, CB (Bears) – Callahan was placed on injured reserve after breaking a bone in his foot against the Los Angeles Rams. He will be out the remainder of the season. Next week the Bears travel to the Vikings.

Christian Covington, DE (Texans) – Covington registered two tackles in the Texans last-second loss to the Eagles. Next week the Texans travel host the Jaguars.

Phillip Gaines, CB (Browns) – Gaines was inactive for Sunday’s game against the Bengals. This was his third straight game missed as he works to recover from a knee injury. He’s questionable for next week’s game. The Browns travel to the Ravens.

Vance McDonald, TE (Steelers) – McDonald caught one pass for 49 yards in the Pittsburgh’s loss to the New Orleans Saints. It was the longest play of the day for the Steelers who host the Cincinnati Bengals next week.

Andrew Sendejo, S (Vikings) – Placed on injured reserve after missing extended time following a groin injury. Next week the Vikings host the Chicago Bears.

Jordan Taylor, WR (Broncos) – On the PUP list following off-season surgery. He will not play this season. Next week the Broncos travel to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Luke Wilson, TE (Lions) – Wilson exited the Lion’s Week 16 game against the Minnesota Vikings to be evaluated for a possible concussion. His status is uncertain for next week’s game on the road against the Green Bay Packers.

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Owls in the NFL – Week 15

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Rice football has nine alumni currently active on NFL rosters. Here’s how the NFL Owls fared in their respective Week 15 games.

Chris Boswell, K (Steelers) – Converted two of two extra points and connected on a 48-yard field goal. He missed one field goal attempt from 32 yards. Next week the Steelers travel to the New Orleans Saints.

Bryce Callahan, CB (Bears) – Callahan was placed on injured reserve after breaking a bone in his foot last week against the Los Angeles Rams. He’ll need surgery and will be out the remainder of the season. Next week the Bears host travel to the 49ers.

Christian Covington, DE (Texans) – Picked up one quarterback hit and one tackle against the New York Jets on Saturday. Next week the Texans travel to the Eagles.

Phillip Gaines, CB (Browns) – Gaines was inactive for Saturday’s game against the Broncos. This was his second straight game missed as he works to recover from a knee injury. He’s questionable for next week’s game. The Browns host the Bengals.

Vance McDonald, TE (Steelers) – Caught two passes for 13 yards including the Steelers’ first touchdown of the day. He’s caught at least four passes or a touchdown in five of his last six games. Next week the Steelers travel to the New Orleans Saints.

Andrew Sendejo, S (Vikings) – Placed on injured reserve after missing extended time following a groin injury. Next week the Vikings travel to the Detroit Lions.

Jordan Taylor, WR (Broncos) – On the PUP list following off-season surgery. He will not play this season. Next week the Broncos travel to the Oakland Raiders.

Luke Wilson, TE (Lions) – Was not targeted in the Lions Week 15 loss to the Bills. The two-game stretch without a catch is the longest for Wilson this season. Next week the Lions host the Minnesota Vikings.

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Owls in the NFL – Week 14

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Rice football has nine alumni currently active on NFL rosters. Here’s how the NFL Owls fared in their respective Week 14 games.

Chris Boswell, K (Steelers) – Converted three extra points in a loss to the Oakland Raiders. He missed one field goal and had a second blocked on the final play of regulation. Next week the Steelers host the New England Patriots on Sunday, December 16.

Bryce Callahan, CB (Bears) – Had one tackle for a loss in a two-tackle effort in the Bears upset of the Rams on Sunday Night Football. Next week the Bears host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, December 16.

Christian Covington, DE (Texans) – Registered two quarterback hits and one sack against Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts. Both totals tied JJ Watt for the team lead. Next week the Texans travel to New York to play the Jets on Saturday, December 15.

Phillip Gaines, CB (Browns) – Missed Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers with a knee injury. Next week the Browns travel to Denver to play the Broncos on Saturday, December 15.

Vance McDonald, TE (Steelers) – Caught four passes for 37 yards with a long of 19 yards against the Oakland Raiders. He finished third on the team in receiving, with two more yards than Antonio Brown. Next week the Steelers host the New England Patriots on Sunday, December 16.

Andrew Sendejo, S (Vikings) – Placed on injured reserve after missing extended time following a groin injury. Next week the Vikings host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, December 16.

Jordan Taylor, WR (Broncos) – On the PUP list following off-season surgery. He will not play this season. Next week the Broncos host the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, December 15.

Luke Wilson, TE (Lions) – Started against the Arizona Cardinals but was held without a catch. Next week the Lions travel to Buffalo to play the Bills on Sunday, December 16.

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11 Days: Tracking all 11 Owls in the NFL

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Rice football boasts 11 active NFL players and coaches, spread across 10 different teams. Where are they and which players are making noise at the next level?

The NFL Preseason is underway. As the first kickoff of the season approaches teams will be forced to cull their pool of players down to their final 53-man roster. That final cut will be official on Sept. 1, giving a few Owls a chance to earn their spot in the NFL.

Along with a few new faces, Rice football has some veterans in the league as well. Here are the Owls 11 NFL personnel:

1. Chris Boswell, Kicker, Pittsburgh Steelers

Bowell entered the NFL in 2015. After a brief stint with the Houston Texans he made his way up north to join the Steelers where he’s been the primary kicker for three seasons. He owns a career 89.5 field goal percentage with a long of 53 yards.

2. Bryce Callahan, Corner, Chicago Bears

A reserve corner for the Chicago Bears, Callahan is also in his fourth professional season. He’s become more and more active with Chicago each year in the league. In 2017 he played in 12 games, registering two interceptions, a forced fumble and 25 total tackles.

3. Christian Covington, Defensive End, Houston Texans

A Canadian native, Covington stayed close to campus after being drafted in the sixth round by the Houston Texans in 2015. In limited action, he’s picked up four sacks, and 50 total tackles in his three year NFL career.

4. Emmanuel Ellerbee, Linebacker, Atlanta Falcons

Ellerbee signed with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent and is working to earn his way onto the roster in 2018. He led the Owls in tackles last season with 95.

5. Phillip Gaines, Corner, Buffalo Bills

A third round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2014, Gaines saw sporadic action (16 starts over four seasons) with the Chiefs before signing with Buffalo this offseason.

6. Larry Izzo, Assistant Special Teams coach, Seattle Seahawks

After playing 13 seasons in the NFL, winning three Super Bowls and earning three Pro Bowl nominations, Izzo retired from the NFL and quickly took a coaching position with the New York Giants. He went from the Giants to the Texans before being hired by the Seahawks this offseason.

7. Vance McDonald, Tight End, Pittsburgh Steelers

McDonald was a second round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2013. McDonald was a productive offensive cog for the 49ers in four NFL Season before moving to the Steelers in 2017. He’s caught 78 passes for 1,054 yards and eight touchdowns in his pro career.

8. Andrew Sendejo, Safety, Minnesota Vikings

After a brief start to his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys, Sendejo has been with the Minnesota Vikings since 2011. During that span, he’s accounted for 237 tackles and six interceptions. He most recently made news with his reaction to the league’s new helmet contact rule.

https://twitter.com/Asendejo/status/1025466588424597504

9. Jordan Taylor, Wide Receiver, Denver Broncos

A nice depth piece behind Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, Taylor has seen modest action in two NFL seasons. He caught 16 passes in 2016 and 13 more in 2017, totaling 251 receiving yards and two career touchdowns.

10. Luke Wilson, Tight End, Detroit Lions

A five year veteran with the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson moved on to a new team this offseason, signing at 1-year $1.5 million deal with the Detriot Lions. He’ll be in the mix with the rest of the Matt Stafford’s pass catchers this season.

11. Brian Womac, Defensive End, Los Angeles Rams

The No. 2 tackler for Rice football in 2017, Womac is fighting for a roster spot with the Rams after going undrafted following his senior season with the Owls in 2017. He finished with a team-best 21 tackles for a loss and 10 sacks.



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