SALT LAKE CITY — Dennis Pitta catapulted himself back into the conversation about the league's best tight ends Sunday after igniting a 25-20 comeback win for Baltimore at Cleveland. Hauling in a game-high nine grabs for 102 yards, Pitta was stellar on the same field he suffered a season-ending injury in 2014. After multiple past injuries, the former Cougar product appears to have become Joe Flacco's favorite target early on in this young season.

Note: This article does not include offensive linemen or long snappers, of which there are several with local ties on NFL rosters.

BYU

• Ezekiel Ansah: Detroit Lions, defensive end — Ansah left the game after just three plays and an apparent ankle injury on Sunday. Unable to return, Ansah's status is questionable for this week's tilt against Green Bay. The Lions lost 16-15 to Tennessee.
• Alani Fua: Arizona Cardinals, linebacker — Didn't record a stat in a 40-7 win over Tampa Bay.
• Bronson Kaufusi: Baltimore Ravens, defensive end — Did not play in a 25-20 win over Cleveland.
• Paul Lasike: Chicago Bears, fullback — Lasike's Bears host Philadelphia tonight at Soldier Field for ESPN's Monday Night Football. The game begins at 6:30 p.m.
• Daniel Sorensen: Kansas City Chiefs, defensive back — The third-year strong safety managed three tackles in backup duty to starter Eric Berry, albeit in a losing effort to Houston, 19-12.
• Uani' Unga: New York Giants, linebacker — DNP in a 16-13 victory over New Orleans.
• Kyle Van Noy: Detroit Lions, linebacker — Van Noy recorded one tackle before joining the host of injured casualties on Detroit's sidelines. Van Noy's status is a matter of concern for the Lions, as they currently have only two healthy linebackers on their roster. Van Noy started Sunday's game.

Utah

• Matt Asiata: Minnesota Vikings, running back — Asiata carried the ball six times for 14 yards, also adding one reception for 11 yards in a 17-14 victory over Green Bay. Asiata may get a start in this coming week's game at Carolina, as Vikings' starter Adrian Peterson went down with an apparent knee injury in the third quarter against Green Bay. Peterson's current status is unknown.
• Devontae Booker: Denver Broncos, running back — Booker bounced back from a tough Week 1 in the NFL with 9 carries for 46 yards in a Week 2 win over Indianapolis. In addition to a 5.1-yard rushing average, Booker also caught one pass for 5 yards.
• Paul Kruger: New Orleans Saints, defensive end — Kruger had one solo tackle and one assisted in a 16-13 loss to the Giants.
• Star Lotulelei: Carolina Panthers, defensive tackle — Lotulelei had a sack for Carolina as the Panthers cruised to a 46-27 victory over San Francisco.
• Brice McCain: Tennessee Titans, cornerback — McCain tallied a tackle and a pass breakup in the Titans' win at Detroit.
• Keith McGill: Oakland Raiders, defensive back — After being promoted to starting strong safety for Oakland on Sunday against Atlanta, McGill performed well, recording six tackles, five of them solo. Still, the Raiders couldn't quite get it done, losing 35-28 to the Falcons.
• Koa Misi: Miami Dolphins, linebacker — Albeit in losing efforts, Misi has a had a strong start to the 2016 season, following last week's 10 tackles with nine this week, four of them solo. The Dolphins lost to New England 31-24.
• Jared Norris: Carolina Panthers, linebacker — DNP in victory over the 49ers.
• Nate Orchard: Cleveland Browns, linebacker — Orchard recorded three tackles, including one solo for a loss. Orchard is currently the backup at right outside linebacker in the Browns' 3-4 defense.
• Tenny Palepoi: San Diego Chargers, defensive tackle — Didn't record a stat in a 38-14 victory at home against Jacksonville.
• Eric Rowe: New England Patriots, defensive back — DNP in a 31-24 win over Miami.
• Derrick Shelby: Atlanta Falcons, defensive end — Shelby assisted in a tackle for the Falcons in their 35-28 triumph in Oakland.
• Sean Smith: Oakland Raiders, cornerback — A week after being "torched" by the Saints, Smith recorded five solo tackles in the Raiders loss to Atlanta. For those counting, there were three former Utes participating in that game.
• Alex Smith: Kansas City Chiefs, quarterback — A week after one of the best performances of Smith's career, the former Utah superstar fell back to earth, failing to orchestrate even one touchdown for the hapless Chiefs offense on Sunday. Kansas City lost 19-12, their only points coming off the foot of kicker Cairo Santos.
• Steve Smith Sr.: Baltimore Ravens, wide receiver — The veteran receiver caught three passes for 64 yards in Baltimore's win. In addition to hauling in Baltimore's longest pass of the game, a 31-yard connection with quarterback Joe Flacco, Smith also managed a milestone, moving into 10th place all-time in the NFL for career receiving yards.
• Paul Soliai: Carolina Panthers, defensive tackle — DNP in the Panthers victory over the 49ers.
• Eric Weddle: Baltimore Ravens, safety — Weddle had a big game for Baltimore on Sunday in Cleveland helping, along with former Ute Steve Smith and former Cougar Dennis Pitta, to fuel a furious Ravens comeback. Weddle had six tackles, an interception, and a pass deflection in a Ravens victory that helped them to a 2-0 record.

Utah State

• Maurice Alexander: Los Angeles Rams, safety — Alexander had four combined tackles for the Rams in what was a triumphant 9-3 defensive battle over Seattle.
• Will Davis: Baltimore Ravens, cornerback — DNP in a Baltimore victory over Cleveland.
• Marwin Evans: Green Bay Packers, safety — Recorded one tackle in a 17-14 Green Bay loss at Minnesota.
• Kyler Fackrell: Green Bay Packers, linebacker — Like Evans, recorded one tackle in a 17-14 Green Bay loss at Minnesota.
• Nevin Lawson: Detroit Lions, cornerback — Recorded three tackles in the Lions' loss to Tennessee.
• Robert Turbin: Indianapolis Colts, running back — Had three rushing attempts for 10 yards including a five-yard touchdown run. The Colts fell to Denver 34-20. Turbin is the first Aggie and second local college product (Alex Smith) to get on the scoreboard this season.
• Nick Vigil: Cincinnati Bengals, linebacker — Didn't record a stat in a 24-16 loss to Pittsburgh.
• Bobby Wagner: Seattle Seahawks, linebacker — Wagner was his usual stellar self on Sunday, even in a loss to the Rams, recording eight tackles, five of them solo.

Southern Utah

• Miles Killebrew: Detroit Lions, safety — Didn't record a stat in a 16-15 loss to Tennessee.
• LeShaun Sims: Tennessee Titans, cornerback — DNP in a 16-15 win over Detroit.

Related topics