Deacons in the NFL: Preseason
8/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeFB)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – With the NFL preseason underway, 14 Demon Deacons are currently on rosters. Throughout the regular season, WakeForestSports.com will feature weekly updates on the Deacs playing at the next level.
FB Tommy Bohanon, New York Jets
Fully recovered from breaking his collarbone last season, Bohanon is poised to return to the Jets' starting lineup at fullback. Head coach Todd Bowles said in regards to Bohanon, "Tommy's been doing a good job. I'm pleased with Tommy. He's been a very pleasant surprise."
DB Josh Bush, Denver Broncos
Bush has helped the Broncos to back-to-back preseason game wins, totaling four tackles over those two contests. The 26-year-old is battling for a roster spot and currently listed as the third-team strong safety.
WR Michael Campanaro, Baltimore Ravens
In the preseason opener, Campanaro caught a 45-yard touchdown pass to help the Ravens beat New Orleans, 30-27. He had another 13-yard reception in the game. He missed the second game with a soft-tissue injury, but is expected to be back soon.
DB Brandon Ghee, Cincinnati Bengals
Ghee returned to his original team after spending last season with the Titans. He is currently listed as the third-team left cornerback, but has not yet recorded a stat in the preseason.
WR Chris Givens, St. Louis Rams
Givens' preseason has been highlighted by an 80-yard touchdown catch this past Sunday in a loss to the Titans. In the preseason opener, he made four grabs for 36 yards and added a 16-yard run. The 25-year-old is projected as the No. 3 or 4 wide receiver.
RB Josh Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
A former undrafted free agent, Harris burst onto the scene by grabbing a roster spot in 2014. Currently, he is battling a foot injury. He is listed as the team's No. 4 running back after the offseason signing of DeAngelo Williams to back up Le'Veon Bell.
LB Justin Jackson, Dallas Cowboys
After signing with the Cowboys in June, Jackson tore his ACL in practice in early August. He will miss the 2015 season.
DB Kevin Johnson, Houston Texans
Yesterday, head coach Bill O'Brien said, "There's no question we made the right choice there," referencing the team's selection of Johnson in the first round. He played a team-high 42 defensive snaps on Saturday, limiting Pro Bowler Demaryius Thomas to three catches for 24 yards on six targets, breaking up a pass from Peyton Manning.
OL Joe Looney, San Francisco 49ers
Entering his fourth season with San Francisco, Looneyis in contention to be the starting center. He has started each of the two preseason games, including a 23-6 win over the Cowboys most recently. The 24-year old has made four starts and 19 appearances in his three-year career.
DB Merrill Noel, Buffalo Bills
In a come-from-behind victory over Cleveland, Noel recorded a sack of Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel in the fourth quarter. Noel signed with the Bills as an undrafted free agent but was released on June 18, later re-signing on Aug. 2.
LB Calvin Pace, New York Jets
The 34-year-old linebacker is heading to his 13th season, including his eighth with the Jets. Pace is projected to start, but left Tuesday's practice with a strained groin. The severity of the injury is not yet known.
LB Zach Thompson, Baltimore Ravens
Thompson has seen action at outside linebacker with the Ravens during preseason, but has not yet recorded a stat. He's currently listed as a third-stringer after moving from defensive end in the offseason. Last year, he spent time on the practice squads of the Ravens, Jets and Broncos.
FB Nikita Whitlock, New York Giants
Media reports state that Whitlock is having an impressive camp. The No. 2 fullback on the depth chart, the Giants have been testing out two-fullback sets which would give Whitlock a shot at making the roster. He had a five-yard reception in a recent 22-12 win over Jacksonville.
LB Kyle Wilber, Dallas Cowboys
Now in his fourth season, Wilber has made three tackles through a pair of preseason games. With the Cowboys, he has been a 3-4 outside linebacker, 4-3 defensive end, 4-3 outside linebacker, and now a 4-3 middle linebacker. "I think it just shows the kind of football player he is...He's a guy who shows up really each and every day. He's been an excellent special teams player for us, a lot of versatility, just a good player," head coach Jason Garrett told ESPN about Wilber.
