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Michigan players star in NFL Week 3, plus a J.J. McCarthy injury update

Former Michigan players starred in Week 3 of the NFL season.
ByChris Peterson|
Sep 21, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary (52) sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during the second half at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Sep 21, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary (52) sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during the second half at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

It was a great weekend to be a Michigan Wolverine.

Not only did Michigan football knock off Nebraska on Saturday, 30-27, thanks to three long rushing touchdowns and 286 yards on the ground, but a slew of former players dominated in the NFL in Week 3 of the 2025 season.

It started with Rashan Gary, the Green Bay Packers pass rusher, who has benefited greatly from the additin of Micah Parsons. The Packers lost the game to the Browns, in heartbreaking fashion, something most (Lions) fans reading this blog won't mind. However, Gary was credited with two sacks before that, including one where the Browns barely tried to block him.

The former Michigan football standout has had a sack in five consecutive games for the Packers.

Speaking of sacks, in the same game, Mason Graham had a sack. He also had a ridiculous 43-percent pass-rush win rate. The normal rate for a defensive tackle is nine percent.

Nico Collins, another former Michigan standout, continued his dominance over the past two seasons, catching a 50-yard touchdown pass. Collins finished the game with eight receptions for 104 yards, even though the Texans lost 17-10.

One reason for that loss was Jourdan Lewis, a teammate of Gary's at Michigan, who continues to make plays in the NFL with another interception for the Jaguars.

Lewis, who spent eight seasons playing for the Dallas Cowboys, now has 12 career interceptions. He's got two for the Jaguars after signing with them as a free agent in the offseason.

J.J. McCarthy update

The former Michigan football quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, missed the start for the Vikings on Sunday due to a high-ankle sprain. Carson Wentz started in his place and had a stellar showing with a 48-10 win over the Bengals.

Wentz threw two touchdown passes as he completed 14 of 20 passes for 173 yards. Wentz was sacked three times, but he will get another "opportunity" according to Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. The Vikings head coach also said McCarthy has "responded well" to treatment via Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune.

“He's responded well to the early part of the treatment, but for a young player, you know, I want to make sure that he's healthy,” O’Connell said.

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