Locals in the NFL: Devontae Booker goes from inactive to featured back (+ complete Week 5 roundup)

AROUND THE SHIELD — Two weeks ago, former Utah running back Devontae Booker was inactive as he clung to a reserve role with the New York Giants.

After a series of injuries that included New York's starting rusher and quarterback in the same game, Booker will likely be the featured back in the Big Apple — at least temporarily.

Booker ran for 42 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, and added a 3-yard touchdown on a screen pass in the Giants' 44-20 loss Sunday to the Dallas Cowboys.

New York (1-4) may be getting more of it in future weeks, too, after starting running back Saquon Barkley went down with a freak injury that head coach Joe Judge later described as "better news than it could've been. A little bit of a sigh of relief."

Still, Barkley's immediate future remains yet to be determined, which means the Giants' present may come down to the six-year veteran of the Raiders and Broncos.

"Obviously, I prepare every week like a pro and the starter," Booker said after the game. "Whatever goes, I only can control what I can control. The stuff that happens today with Saquon, I'm just ready and prepared every week as if I'm the starter.

"It sucks to see him go down, but I've just got to be ready."

It was Booker's most productive outing since running for 81 yards and two touchdowns in the Raiders' win over the Broncos last November.

But as he was performing, Booker's thoughts drifted toward Barkley, the 2018 NFL offensive rookie of the year who topped 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first two seasons.

The former Utah standout doesn't think Giants fans have seen the last of him. But until the former Penn State star is back, he'll be happy to step in and carry the load.

"He's very humble. He may be back next week; who knows?" Booker said of Barkley. "But as far as for me, I have to continue to go out there, work my butt off, and prepare like I'm the starter."

Among other injuries in the National Football League, former BYU quarterback Taysom Hill had to be removed from the field on a motorized cart after taking a blow to the head in the Saints' 33-22 win over the Washington Football Team.

Hill was placed in the league's concussion protocol and did not return after initially stumbling to get into the cart. Head coach Sean Payton does not address injuries during the season, but he did provide a brief update on Hill's condition during a conference call with reporters Monday.

"Yeah, we won't cover any injuries. I think that's where you're going," Payton said. "He's doing well."

Hill, who started at wide receiver, finished with one catch for 11 yards and also assisted on a tackle for the Saints (3-2), who have continued to use him in a myriad of Wildcat plays under starting quarterback Jameis Winston.

Here's how other former local high school and college football standouts did in Week 5 of the NFL's 2021 season.

Baltimore 31, Indianapolis 25 (OT)

Lamar Jackson threw for a franchise-record 442 yards and four touchdowns to help the Ravens rally from a 19-point deficit to edge the Colts in overtime.

Ravens (4-1)

• Ty'Son Williams, RB, BYU: ran for 6 yards on four carries, two catches for 16 yards as a reserve.
• Tyler Huntley, QB, Utah: Did not play.

Colts (1-4)

• Julian Blackmon, FS, Utah/Layton: Collected four tackles, forced fumble on defense; 1.5 tackles on special teams.

Buffalo 38, Kansas City 20

Bills (4-1)

• Taron Johnson, CB, Weber State: Starting nickel had team-high 12 tackles, one pass breakup in 85 defensive snaps one day after signing a three-year extension with the Bills.
• Zack Moss, RB, Utah: Ran for 37 yards on 11 carries in 42 offensive snaps.
• Star Lotulelei, DL, Utah/Bingham/Snow College: Starting defensive tackle played 50 defensive snaps, four on special teams.

Chiefs (2-3)

• Daniel Sorensen, S, BYU: Starting safety made four tackles in 57 defensive snaps, five on special teams.
• Marcus Kemp, WR, Layton: Made one special-teams tackle in 25 snaps.

Dallas 44, NY Giants 20

Cowboys (4-1)

• Dalton Schultz, TE, Bingham: Starting tight end caught six passes for 79 yards in 57 offensive snaps, nine on special teams.
• Bradlee Anae, DE, Utah: Made one tackle in 17 defensive snaps, one on special teams.
• Sim Fehoko, WR, Brighton: Inactive for Week 5.

Giants (1-4)

• Devontae Booker, RB, Utah: Ran for 42 yards on 16 carries, including 1-yard touchdown run in 60 offensive snaps, with nine on special teams.

Arizona 17, San Francisco 10

Cardinals (5-0)

• Kylie Fitts, LB, Utah: Played in 13 snaps on special teams.
• Leki Fotu, DT, Utah/Herriman: Posted two pass breakups in 23 defensive snaps, six on special teams.

49ers (2-3)

• Fred Warner, LB, BYU: Starting mike linebacker had team-high nine tackles in 61 defensive snaps, one on special teams.
• Mitch Wishnowsky, P, Utah: Punted twice for 97 yards (48.5 average) in four special-teams snaps.

Chicago 20, Las Vegas 9

Bears (3-2)

• Khyiris Tonga, DT, BYU/Granger: Played five defensive snaps, one on special teams.
• Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah: Made two tackles in 66 defensive snaps.
• Patrick Scales, LS, Utah State/Weber: Played in nine snaps on special teams.

Raiders (3-2)

• Jackson Barton, OT, Utah/Brighton: Inactive for Week 5.
• Dallin Leavitt, S, Utah State: Made one special-teams tackle in 21 snaps.
• Andre James, OL, Herriman: Starting center played all 67 offensive snaps.

LA Chargers 47, Cleveland 42

Chargers (4-1)

• Kyler Fackrell, LB, Utah State: Made two tackles in 33 defensive snaps, eight on special teams.
• Michael Davis, CB, BYU: Starting cornerback made three tackles in 71 defensive snaps.
• Alohi Gilman, S, Orem: Made one tackle in 27 defensive snaps, 27 on special teams.

Browns (3-2)

• Sione Takitaki, LB, BYU: Had three tackles on defense, one quarterback hurry and one special teams tackle 17 defensive snaps, 21 on special teams.

New Orleans 33, Washington 22

Saints (3-2)

• Taysom Hill, QB, BYU: Starting wide receiver caught one pass for 11 yards, made one tackle on special teams in nine offensive snaps before exiting the game in concussion protocol.
• Marcus Williams, FS, Utah: Made three tackles, one pass breakup in 82 defensive snaps.
• Kaden Elliss, LB, Judge Memorial: Played in six defensive snaps, 24 on special teams.

Football Team (2-3)

• Jared Norris, LB, Utah: Made one special-teams tackle in 20 snaps.
• Tyler Larsen, C, Utah State/Jordan: Played in four snaps on special teams.
• Dax Milne, WR, BYU/Bingham: Caught first career pass for 6 yards in 34 offensive snaps, one on special teams.

Tampa Bay 45, Miami 17

Buccaneers (4-1)

• No locals on the active roster.

Dolphins (1-4)

• Eric Rowe, DB, Utah: Made two tackles in 22 defensive snaps.

Pittsburgh 27, Denver 19

Steelers (2-3)

• Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah: Played one defensive snap, 17 on special teams.

Broncos (3-2)

• Garett Bolles, OT, Utah/Westlake/Snow College: Starting left tackle played 60 offensive snaps, three on special teams.
• Tim Patrick, WR, Utah: Caught seven passes for 89 yards in 57 offensive snaps.

Minnesota 19, Detroit 17

Vikings (2-3)

• Nick Vigil, LB, Utah State/Fremont: Had five tackles on defense, one tackle on special teams in 25 defensive snaps, seven on special teams.

Lions (0-5)

• Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU: Starting running back ran for 57 yards on 13 carries, caught two passes for 8 yards in 22 offensive snaps.
• John Penisini, DL, Utah/Snow/West Jordan: Made one tackle in 16 defensive snaps, five on special teams.
• Penei Sewell, OT, Desert Hills: Starting left tackle played 68 offensive snaps.

Tennessee 37, Jacksonville 19

Titans (3-2)

• No locals on the active roster.

Jaguars (0-5)

• Nevin Lawson, CB, Utah State: Played 21 snaps on defense, 11 on special teams.
• Jay Tufele, DT, Bingham: Played 13 snaps on defense.

New England 25, Houston 22

Patriots (2-3)

• Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU: Made three tackles in 43 defensive snaps.
• Harvey Langi, LB, BYU/Bingham: Played 13 snaps on special teams.

Texans (1-4)

• No locals on the active roster.

Green Bay 25, Cincinnati 22

Packers (4-1)

• Jordan Love, QB, Utah State: Activated, but did not play.

Bengals (3-2)

• Jalen Davis, CB, Utah State: Played four special-teams snaps.

Philadelphia 21, Carolina 18

Eagles (2-3)

• No locals on the active roster.

Panthers (3-2)

• Brady Christensen, OT, BYU/Bountiful: Starting right tackle played 71 offensive snaps, five on special teams.

Atlanta 27, NY Jets 20

Falcons (2-3)

• No locals on the active roster.

Jets (1-4)

• Zach Wilson, QB, BYU/Corner Canyon: Starting QB completed 19-of-32 passes for 192 yards, one interception and two sacks taken in 56 offensive snaps.
• Javelin Guidry, DB, Utah: Played 24 defensive snaps, two on special teams.

LA Rams 26, Seattle 17

Rams (4-1)

• Terrell Burgess, S, Utah: Played 19 snaps on special teams.
• Matt Gay, K, Utah/UVU/Orem: Made two field goals, one extra point in 11 special-teams snaps.
• Jonah Williams, DE, Weber State: Made one tackle in six defensive snaps, and five on special teams.

Seahawks (2-3)

• Cody Barton, LB, Utah/Brighton: Played 18 special-teams snaps.
• Marquise Blair, S, Utah: Had two tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass breakup in 18 defensive snaps, seven on special teams.
• Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State: Starting middle linebacker had four tackles in 67 defensive snaps, with six on special teams.
• Bryan Mone, DT, Highland: Made two tackles in 26 defensive snaps.

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