Wake Forest Athletics
Pro Deacs: Week 4
10/1/2024 9:36:00 AM | Football
Justin Strnad records his first career sack, while Blake Whiteheart hauls in first career touchdown to lead Pro Deacs.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – In week four of the 2024 NFL season, Pro Deacs made their return, highlighted by career milestones from two former Demon Deacons, along with consistent play from NFL veterans.
Strnad Records First Career Sack in Win
Linebacker Justin Strnad made his presence felt early in the Broncos' 10-9 road win over the New York Jets on Sunday. Making the start at inside linebacker, Strnad came off the edge to bring Aaron Rodgers to the turf on the very first play of the game, earning his first career sack in the NFL.
Sunday also marked the first time that Strnad had taken a snap from scrimmage since Oct. 31, 2021 against Washington. Strnad finished the game with four tackles, including three solo tackles and two tackles for loss.
Through the first four games this season, Strnad has recorded six total tackles, including five solo tackles.
Whiteheart Makes Browns Debut, Hauls in First Career Touchdown
After being signed to the active roster last week, Blake Whiteheart made his appearance for the Cleveland Browns against the Las Vegas Raiders. In the process, Whiteheart secured his first career touchdown pass off a one-yard toss in the first quarter , which turned out to be Cleveland's lone offensive touchdown, as the Browns fell to the Raiders 20-16.
Whiteheart, who spent last year primarily on the Arizona Cardinals practice squad, was signed from the Cleveland Browns practice squad this past week to add extra depth to the tight end position.
Whiteheart finished the game with three catches for 13 yards to go along with his touchdown catch.
On the opposite side of the field, Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson tallied six tackles in the win. Las Vegas also elevated wide receiver Alex Bachman to the 53-man roster as he made his season debut Sunday. After the game the three Demon Deacon alumni met at midfield.
Bates III Continues to Shine for Falcons
Jessie Bates III continued his dominant 2024 season for the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday as he recorded five tackles as part of Atlanta's 26-24 win over the New Orleans Saints in a pivotal NFC South battle.
Through the first four weeks of the season, Bates III has played a pivotal role for the Atlanta defense, ranking third on the team in tackles with 24, while ranking first in solo tackles (17), passes defended (3), and interceptions (1) for the Dirty Birds. Bates III also ranks ninth in the league amongst all defensive players for solo tackles, as well as fifth for interceptions.
Beef Boys Update
Zach Tom and the Green Bay Packers came up just short in a miraculous comeback effort, as they fell to the visiting Minnesota Vikings 31-29. Tom has built himself into an integral part of the Packers' offensive line, as Tom has played 276 total snaps through the first four games of the season, which is tied for the most snaps played in the league. Tom is also ranked as the ninth-highest rated tackle in the league with a 82.5 PFF rating.
Light the Dortch
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch continued his solid 2024 season against the Washington Commanders, hauling in four catches for 38 yards in Arizona's 42-14 defeat.
Through the first four games this season, Dortch is already on pace to pass his totals from last season, having already caught 15 passes for 131 yards. Dortch is also averaging 10 yards per punt return and his 66.2 PFF is the second highest of his career (68.2 in 2023).
#ProDeacs Week Five Slate (All times eastern)
Strnad Records First Career Sack in Win
Linebacker Justin Strnad made his presence felt early in the Broncos' 10-9 road win over the New York Jets on Sunday. Making the start at inside linebacker, Strnad came off the edge to bring Aaron Rodgers to the turf on the very first play of the game, earning his first career sack in the NFL.
Hello @jsgarbs 👊
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) September 29, 2024
📺: NFL Sunday Ticket On YouTube https://t.co/duCDkGF8qW pic.twitter.com/jTn1wZql9R
Sunday also marked the first time that Strnad had taken a snap from scrimmage since Oct. 31, 2021 against Washington. Strnad finished the game with four tackles, including three solo tackles and two tackles for loss.
Through the first four games this season, Strnad has recorded six total tackles, including five solo tackles.
Whiteheart Makes Browns Debut, Hauls in First Career Touchdown
After being signed to the active roster last week, Blake Whiteheart made his appearance for the Cleveland Browns against the Las Vegas Raiders. In the process, Whiteheart secured his first career touchdown pass off a one-yard toss in the first quarter , which turned out to be Cleveland's lone offensive touchdown, as the Browns fell to the Raiders 20-16.
Welcome to the endzone @BlakeWhiteheart 💪#ProDeacs 🎩pic.twitter.com/I47pjQ2zHt
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) September 29, 2024
Whiteheart, who spent last year primarily on the Arizona Cardinals practice squad, was signed from the Cleveland Browns practice squad this past week to add extra depth to the tight end position.
Whiteheart finished the game with three catches for 13 yards to go along with his touchdown catch.
On the opposite side of the field, Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson tallied six tackles in the win. Las Vegas also elevated wide receiver Alex Bachman to the 53-man roster as he made his season debut Sunday. After the game the three Demon Deacon alumni met at midfield.
Brothers forever 💛#ProDeacs 🎩 pic.twitter.com/krSMUMl6SL
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) September 30, 2024
Bates III Continues to Shine for Falcons
Jessie Bates III continued his dominant 2024 season for the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday as he recorded five tackles as part of Atlanta's 26-24 win over the New Orleans Saints in a pivotal NFC South battle.
Through the first four weeks of the season, Bates III has played a pivotal role for the Atlanta defense, ranking third on the team in tackles with 24, while ranking first in solo tackles (17), passes defended (3), and interceptions (1) for the Dirty Birds. Bates III also ranks ninth in the league amongst all defensive players for solo tackles, as well as fifth for interceptions.
Beef Boys Update
Zach Tom and the Green Bay Packers came up just short in a miraculous comeback effort, as they fell to the visiting Minnesota Vikings 31-29. Tom has built himself into an integral part of the Packers' offensive line, as Tom has played 276 total snaps through the first four games of the season, which is tied for the most snaps played in the league. Tom is also ranked as the ninth-highest rated tackle in the league with a 82.5 PFF rating.
Light the Dortch
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch continued his solid 2024 season against the Washington Commanders, hauling in four catches for 38 yards in Arizona's 42-14 defeat.
Almost go time for @_GDortch 🔥#ProDeacs 🎩 pic.twitter.com/ZMDxbBOmC6
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) September 29, 2024
Through the first four games this season, Dortch is already on pace to pass his totals from last season, having already caught 15 passes for 131 yards. Dortch is also averaging 10 yards per punt return and his 66.2 PFF is the second highest of his career (68.2 in 2023).
#ProDeacs Week Five Slate (All times eastern)
- Greg Dortch (ARI)
- Last Week: Washington Commanders 42 defeated Arizona Cardinals 14
- This Week: Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- Sage Surratt (ARI - IR)
- Last Week: Washington Commanders 42 defeated Arizona Cardinals 14
- This Week: Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- Jessie Bates III (ATL)
- Last Week: Atlanta Falcons 26 defeated New Orleans Saints 24
- This Week: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons (Thursday, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video)
- Blake Whiteheart (CLE)
- Last Week: Las Vegas Raiders 20 defeated Cleveland Browns 16
- This Week: Cleveland Browns vs. Washington Commanders (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Caelen Carson (DAL)
- Last Week: Dallas Cowboys 20 defeated New York Giants 15
- This Week: Dallas Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)
- Justin Strnad (DEN)
- Last Week: Denver Broncos 10 defeated New York Jets 9
- This Week: Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- Zach Tom (GB)
- Last Week: Minnesota Vikings 31 defeated Green Bay Packers 29
- This Week: Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Ja'Sir Taylor (LAC)
- Last Week: Kansas City Chiefs 17 defeated Los Angeles Chargers 10
- This Week: Bye Week
- Kobie Turner (LAR)
- Last Week: Chicago Bears 24 defeated Los Angeles Rams 18
- This Week: Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Luke Masterson (LV)
- Last Week: Las Vegas Raiders 20 defeated Cleveland Browns 16
- This Week: Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- Alex Bachman (LV)
- Last Week: Las Vegas Raiders 20 defeated Cleveland Browns 16
- This Week: Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- Michael Jurgens (MIN)
- Last Week: Minnesota Vikings 31 defeated Green Bay Packers 29
- This Week: Bye Week
- Justin Herron (NO - IR)
- Last Week: Atlanta Falcons 26 defeated New Orleans Saints 24
- This Week: New Orleans Saints vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN)
- AT Perry (NO)
- Last Week: Atlanta Falcons 26 defeated New Orleans Saints 24
- This Week: New Orleans Saints vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN)
- Carlos "Boogie" Basham Jr. (NYG)
- Last Week: Dallas Cowboys 20 defeated New York Giants 15
- This Week: New York Giants vs. Seattle Seahawks (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Malik Mustapha (SF)
- Last Week: San Francisco 49ers 30 defeated New England Patriots 13
- This Week: Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- Sam Hartman (WAS)
- Last Week: Washington Commanders 42 defeated Arizona Cardinals 14
- This Week: Cleveland Browns vs. Washington Commanders (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
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