Locals in the NFL: Jalen Greene scores his first TD; Taysom Hill continues to impress

AROUND THE SHIELD — Jalen Greene cut to his right, caught the ball and the celebration was on.

The former Utah State receiver may have only had one catch in the Los Angeles Rams' 10-6 win over the Denver Broncos, but it was one he won’t soon forget.

With 12:48 left in the game, Greene got free in the back of the end zone and caught the game-winning score.

But that’s not the only reason why it will be so memorable. The 4-yard scoring strike was Greene’s first NFL touchdown. And he celebrated accordingly — high stepping and fist-pumping before finally being lifted up by his teammates.

Greene now has five receptions for 47 yards this preseason as he fights to make the LA roster.

Greene wasn’t the only former Aggie receiver for the Rams, either. Jojo Natson had two catches for 5 yards. Former SUU punter Brock Miller had one punt which he pinned inside the 20 and former Ute Dominique Hatfield had two tackles for the Rams as well.

Seattle Seahawks 23, Los Angeles Chargers 15

After the Seahawks’ win over the Chargers, Russell Wilson had this to say about former Westlake and Cedar High star John Ursua: “He’s always open. You see him. He’s got this catlike reflex. He’s got this ability to kind of make people miss. It’s pretty special.”

Ursua was special against the Chargers. He led the Seahawks in receiving with two catches for 52 yards and has caught every one of his targets this preseason. Sure, that number is only four, but with how he’s been playing this preseason — making people miss, finding space, and catching everything — he looks to be in line for plenty more. The seventh-round pick is now being projected to make the 53-man roster.

Former USU linebacker Bobby Wagner and former Utah linebacker Cody Barton both had two tackles for the Seahawks with former Highland High standout Bryan Mone adding one.

Former BYU corner Michael Davis had two tackles for the Chargers.

New Orleans Saints 28, New York Jets 13

It speaks to the kind of preseason that former BYU QB Taysom Hill has had that his Saturday performance seemed like a bit of a letdown. What? He didn’t throw or rush for a touchdown? So much for being the most electrifying backup QB in the NFL (we kid, we kid).

Even without the scoring plays, Hill continued his impressive preseason. He was 8-for-13 for 127 yards — including a 49-yard throw down the sideline — and added another 15 yards on the ground, including an 11-yard rush.

Elsewhere for the Saints, former USU running back Kerwynn Williams had four carries for nine yards, former Judge Memorial athlete Jaden Ellis had four tackles and former Salem Hills star Porter Gustin had a sack

And the Jets had plenty of locals, too.

Former BYU/Utah/Bingham LB Harvey Langi had four tackles and former Cougar defensive lineman Bronson Kaufusi added one. The pride of Logan High, QB Luke Falk, got some action, too. He was 3-for-3 for 29 yards in limited time.

San Francisco 49ers 27, Kansas City Chiefs 17

Former Utah punter Mitch Wishnowsky continues to have an impressive preseason. He might not have stormed down the field to tackle someone this week, but he did get a hold of a couple of kicks. Wishnowsky had two punts against the Chiefs for a total of 114 yards — averaging an impressive 57 yards per kick.

Former Cougar safety Daniel Sorensen tied for the team-high in tackles for Kansas City, finishing with six, while former USU running back Darwin Thompson had 8 yards on three carries for the Chiefs.

New England Patriots 10, Carolina Panthers 3

In the first quarter, former BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy got into the backfield and got a sack. That was the good. The bad? He grabbed his knee and was soon in the blue medical tent. But all's well that ends well. Van Noy returned — even immediately helping the Patriots chase Cam Newton into another sack.

Former Ute Jared Norris had two tackles for the Panthers.

New York Giants 35, Cincinnati Bengals 23

Former Utah State wideout Hunter Sharp finished with two receptions for 40 yards for the Bengals. Sharp had the fourth most snaps out of the Bengals wideouts with 23 and was targeted four times. Fellow former Aggie Nick Vigil had one tackle for the Bengals.

Oakland Raiders 22, Green Bay Packers 21

The Oakland defense was aided by a few locals in their win over the Packers. Former BYU and Utah State safety Dallin Leavitt had four solo tackles, former SUU Thunderbird James Cowser had a sack and former USU corner Nevin Lawson finished with two tackles.

Miami Dolphins 22, Jacksonville Jaguars 7

Former Utah corner Eric Rowe was one of the top defensive players in Miami’s win this weekend. Rowe had five tackles, broke up two passes and had an interception to help lead the Dolphins to victory.

Rowe wasn’t the only local player making plays, though. Rowe’s fellow former Ute Nate Orchard had two sacks for the Dolphins.

Buffalo Bills 24, Detroit Lions 20

Former Utah State safety Maurice Alexander had three tackles and a pass breakup while former Ute Star Lotulelei finished with two tackles to help the Bills beat the Lions. Former SUU safety Miles Killebrew had one tackle for Detroit.

Minnesota Vikings 20, Arizona Cardinals 9

Former Utah and Timpview linebacker Pita Taumoepenu had three tackles for the Cardinals in the loss to the Vikings.

Chicago Bears 27, Indianapolis Colts 17

Former Utah linebacker Kyle Fitts had two tackles and got in a QB hit as well for the Bears.

Pittsburgh Steelers 18, Tennessee Titans 6

Former Southern Utah cornerback had three solo tackles for the Titans in their loss to the Steelers.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to correctly state the high school of Harvey Langi.

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