Badgers in the NFL: How former Wisconsin players fared in Week 2

Several former Wisconsin Badgers made their mark in Week 2 of the NFL season. Below are some of the highlights.

Week 1 performances can be found here, while a complete list of Wisconsin alumni on active NFL rosters is stored here.

Melvin Gordon, San Diego Chargers running back

Gordon followed his two-touchdown Week 1 performance with 102 yards—his first hundred-yard performance as a pro—and a touchdown on 24 carries. The second-year back led the Chargers to a 38-14 win vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars and appears to have played well enough to have his mother finally wear his Chargers jersey.

JJ Watt, Houston Texans defensive lineman

The two-time defending NFL Defensive Player of the Year was back to form in Houston’s 19-12 win over Kansas City. One week after recording only one tackle, Watt amassed five tackles and 1.5 sacks with a fumble recovery.

Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks quarterback

Despite a Week 1 ankle injury, Wilson was able to play in Seattle’s 9-3 loss at Los Angeles. The quarterback completed 22 of 35 passes for 254 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions against a stout Rams defense.

Lance Kendricks, Los Angeles Rams tight end

Kendricks nearly scored on a 44-yard reception on Sunday. Overall, the Milwaukee native tallied four catches for 61 yards against Wilson’s Seahawks.

Jonathan Casillas, New York Giants linebacker

Playing in his second season with the Giants, Casillas helped New York beat the New Orleans Saints with six tackles (four solo) and a pass deflection.

Alex Erickson, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver

Erickson caught his first NFL pass on Sunday, a 20-yard strike from quarterback Andy Dalton.

The Darlington, Wis., native also continues to field punts for Cincinnati, but only attempted one return for 0 yards.

More highlights:

• Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas continued to be Joe Thomas:

• Still listed as a starting outside linebacker, Browns linebacker Joe Schobert recorded one tackle as the Browns fell to fellow Badger Rick Wagner and the Baltimore Ravens.
• Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jared Abbrederis was held without a catch on Sunday, but continued to work on special teams.
• Bengals lineman Kevin Zeitler once again started for the team. In news we missed in last week’s update, the Bengals and Zeitler were unable to strike a new deal before the 2016 season started.
• Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman (and fullback?) Beau Allen and teammate Chris Maragos took on the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. Allen recorded two tackles in the Eagles’ 29-14 win.