Wake Forest Athletics
Deacons in the NFL: Week 17
1/2/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Jay Garneau, Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeFB)
FB Tommy Bohanon, New York Jets
Bohanon broke his collarbone in the Jets' Week 4 loss to the Lions. Despite suffering the injury, he played the whole second half before being diagnosed after the game. He was placed on injured reserve, ending his season. Last week, Bohanon was cleared to resume football-related activities. The Jets (4-12) concluded their season with a 37-24 road win over the Dolphins.
S Josh Bush, Denver Broncos
Bush picked off his first career pass, intercepting Oakland QB Derek Carr in a 47-14 victory. Bush also added a solo tackle and pass defended. He was signed to Denver's practice squad on Nov. 18, and promoted to the active roster on Dec. 17. He spent more than two seasons with the Jets, playing 35 games before being released in October. In his career, Bush has made 30 tackles, forced a fumble and recorded an interception. The Broncos (12-4) earned the No. 2 seed in the AFC and are off this weekend. They will play the highest remaining seed on Jan. 11 (Steelers, Colts or Bengals).
WR Michael Campanaro, Baltimore Ravens
Campanaro returned to the lineup after missing seven straight games, catching a 17-yard pass in the Ravens' 20-10 win over Cleveland to clinch a playoff spot. In four games, Campanaro has seven catches for 102 yards and one touchdown. Baltimore (10-6) snuck into the playoffs as the sixth seed, and will take on third-seeded Pittsburgh on Saturday night at 8:15 p.m.
OT Tyson Clabo, Houston Texans
Clabo came off the bench in the Texans' 23-17 win over Jacksonville. Clabo saw action off the bench in 16 of Houston's games, missing the Week 9 matchup against Philadelphia. The nine-year veteran has played in more than 130 career games. The Texans finished the year 9-7, narrowly missing a spot in the playoffs.
WR Chris Givens, St. Louis Rams
Givens caught both passes thrown his way, totaling two grabs for 18 yards in a 20-6 loss at Seattle. The third-year receiver finished with 11 catches for 159 yards this season, and has more than 1,400 receiving yards in his career. The Rams wrap up their season with a 6-10 record.
RB Josh Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
Harris had five carries for seven yards in Pittsburgh's 27-17 win over Cincinnati to clinch the AFC North, but also had a 59-yard run called back for holding. Notably, starting running back Le'Veon Bell is injured and his status is unsure for Pittsburgh's (10-6) opening-round game vs. Baltimore on Saturday at 8:15 p.m., and Harris could be in line to see more significant action. Bell told ESPN.com, in regards to Harris, "Josh is ready. I've been watching him all year and I know what he's capable of. You got a little glimpse of him [in] the Bengals game. He's explosive. He knows all of his assignments. He's not out there thinking any more. He's just playing football. He's only going to get better."
LB Justin Jackson, Oakland Raiders
Jackson's whirlwind season continued, as he signed a reserve/future contract with the Raiders on Tuesday. Since practice squads don't exist in the offseason, Jackson is now part of the 90-man roster. Jackson signed to the Raiders practice squad on Dec. 24, just eight days after being cut by Washington. He has now spent time with five different organizations this year. Jackson spent most of November on the Bengals' practice squad after also spending time with Detroit and Minnesota in the preseason.
OG Joe Looney, San Francisco 49ers
Looney earned his fourth start of the season as the 49ers defeated Arizona 20-17. Playing right guard, Looney helped anchor an offensive line which allowed just one sack and paved the way for San Francisco to gain 206 yards on the ground. He has more than tripled his previous career-high in games played (4) this season. The 49ers close out the season with an 8-8 record.
DB Kenny Okoro, Washington Redskins
Okoro was inactive in Washington's 44-17 loss to Dallas. He was promoted to Washington's active roster on Dec. 6, less than two weeks after signing with the team's practice squad on Nov. 26. Currently, Okoro is listed as a second-team cornerback behind David Amerson. Okoro spent the first half of the season with the Arena Football League's San Jose SaberCats, totaling 60 tackles, eight pass breakups and an interception. Washington finishes its season with a 4-12 record.
LB Calvin Pace, New York Jets
Pace helped the Jets to a 37-24 win over Miami, finishing with a solo tackle, pass defended and quarterback hit. The 12th-year veteran has started 64 consecutive games for New York, recording 39 tackles and five sacks this year. He was recently given the Dennis Byrd Award for most inspirational player by his teammates. Having played in more than 160 career games, he has totaled more than 550 tackles and 55 sacks in his career. Pace also returned to Winston-Salem to be inducted into Wake Forest's Sports Hall of Fame on Oct. 17. The Jets finished the year 4-12.
FB Nikita Whitlock, New York Giants
Whitlock will head into the offseason on the Giants' 90-man training camp roster after being signed to a reserve/future contract on Monday. He initially joined the Giants' practice squad on Dec. 17. Whitlock also spent time this season with the Cowboys and Bengals, being shifted to fullback after spending his collegiate career on the defensive line. The Giants lost to Philadephia, 34-26, and finish the year 6-10.
LB Kyle Wilber, Dallas Cowboys
Wilber made five tackles, his second-highest total of the season, in a 44-17 win over Washington. The Cowboys clinched the No. 3 seed in the NFC with the win. The third-year player has 27 tackles, a fumble recovery and 1.5 sacks in 2014. He has shifted between strongside and weakside linebacker this year, and is currently listed as the second-team weakside linebacker. The Cowboys (12-4) play host to sixth-seeded Detroit on Sunday afternoon at 4:40 p.m.
