It was another great week for Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but several other former Ohio State wide receivers went down with injuries in Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season.
Smith-Njigba and Jonathon Cooper were the biggest standouts from Ohio State’s contingent of NFL players in Week 6, but it was a rough week for Justin Fields, Emeka Egbuka, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Garrett Wilson, as Fields was sacked nine times in London while Egbuka, Harrison and Wilson all went down with injuries.
We recap all of the best and most notable performances by former Ohio State players around the NFL this week in Across The Shield, Eleven Warriors’ weekly look at how former Ohio State players are doing throughout the league.
JSN becomes NFL’s leading receiver
No wide receiver in the entire NFL has been better than Jaxon Smith-Njigba this season.
Six games into the year, Smith-Njigba has a league-high 696 receiving yards on 42 catches with three touchdowns. The third-year Seattle Seahawks star had his fourth 100-yard game of the season on Sunday, hauling in eight receptions for a season-high 162 yards in Seattle’s 20-12 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
8 catches
— NFL (@NFL) October 12, 2025
162 yards
1 TD@jaxon_smith1 simply could not be stopped. @FedEx pic.twitter.com/XOWl50t9bC
Smith-Njigba’s latest standout performance was highlighted by a 61-yard touchdown, the longest catch of his NFL career to date.
Someone hit rewind. 61-yards to the end zone. @jaxon_smith1
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 12, 2025
: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/K2SywHB46G
Smith-Njigba’s 162 yards were the second-most among all NFL receivers in Week 6. His performance earns him our Pro Buck of the Week award as the NFL’s top performer among former Ohio State players in Week 6.
| Week | Player | Stats |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka | 4 catches, 67 yards, 2 TD; 1 rush, 9 yards |
| 2 | Bills DE Joey Bosa | 2 tackles, 1 sack, 2 FF, 7 QB pressures |
| 3 | Steelers DT Cameron Heyward | 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 PD, 4 QB pressures |
| 4 | Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka | 4 catches, 101 yards, 1 TD; 1 rush, 0 yards |
| 5 | Texans QB C.J. Stroud | 23/27, 244 yards, 4 TD; 1 rush, 30 yards |
| 6 | Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba | 8 catches, 162 yards, 1 TD |
Coop sacks Fields twice
Justin Fields had a rough day in London on Sunday, taking the same number of sacks as he completed passes – nine of each, losing 10 more combined yards on sacks (55) than he gained throwing the ball (45). His former Ohio State teammate Jonathon Cooper played a big role in Fields’ struggles across the pond.
Cooper led the Denver Broncos’ pass-rushing effort by recording two sacks – one full sack and two split sacks – in their 13-11 victory over the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, including a game-sealing sack on the Jets’ final drive. He also led the Broncos with six total quarterback pressures in the game, per Pro Football Focus.
COOOOOOOOP
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 12, 2025
: @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/GMGsm0OvGW
GOT EM
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 12, 2025
: @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/QgT83cnIjA
Cooper’s second two-sack game of his career brought him to 28 career sacks in 70 career games – the most sacks by a seventh-round NFL draft pick in a player’s first 70 games since the NFL adopted the seven-round draft format in 1994.
With two QB takedowns in Week 6, #Broncos OLB Jonathon Cooper has 28 career sacks in his first 70 games played, the most ever by a seventh-round pick ever since the #NFL switched to its 7-round draft format in 1994. pic.twitter.com/uSOcehYYwg
— Chad Jensen (@ChadNJensen) October 12, 2025
Harrison forces game-sealing interception
Jonathon Cooper wasn’t the only former Ohio State defensive end who made a game-sealing play in Week 6. With the Buffalo Bills trailing by 10 points with less than a minute to play and trying to keep the game alive, Zach Harrison tipped a pass by Josh Allen to force an interception by his Atlanta Falcons teammate DeAngelo Malone, securing a 24-14 upset win.
.@debomalone18 for the win
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 14, 2025
ESPN | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/YMA8hpuvEO
The pass deflection was Harrison’s second forced turnover of the season along with his forced fumble against former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the Falcons’ Week 2 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Wilson hyperextends knee
One play before Cooper’s game-sealing sack, Garrett Wilson left the game with a knee injury. The former Ohio State wide receiver avoided major injury, as an MRI on Monday revealed no ligament damage. However, Wilson is expected to miss “a couple of weeks” with a hyperextended knee, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Wilson caught just three passes for 13 yards in Sunday’s game before his injury, but has made 36 catches for 395 yards and four touchdowns this season, ranking among the NFL’s top 11 in all three categories. His injury is one the Jets could ill afford, as they are the only remaining winless team in the NFL this season with an 0-6 record.
Egbuka sidelined by hamstring injury
Unlike the first five weeks of his NFL career, this week’s Across The Shield unfortunately features a negative update on Emeka Egbuka.
After a dazzling start to the season in which he established himself as the early frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, Egbuka suffered a setback on Sunday as he injured his hamstring in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ win over the San Francisco 49ers. He’s scheduled to have an MRI on Tuesday and is expected to miss time.
Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka is scheduled to undergo testing Tuesday to determine how much time he will miss from the hamstring injury he suffered vs. the 49ers. But it is expected to be some. pic.twitter.com/XWMI387hdc
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 13, 2025
Before leaving the game, Egbuka caught two passes for 24 yards, bringing him to 27 catches for 469 yards for the season. He still ranks fourth in the NFL in receiving yards and tied for third in the league in receiving touchdowns, but his Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign could now depend on how quickly he gets back to action and if he plays at the same level he did in the first five weeks of the year upon his return.
An up-and-down day for Olave
Week 6 got off to a great start for Chris Olave. On the New Orleans Saints’ very first play from scrimmage against the New England Patriots, the former Ohio State receiver beat Patriots safety Kyle Dugger deep for a 53-yard catch, tying his longest NFL reception.
53 YARDS TO OLAVE ON THE FIRST PLAY
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 12, 2025
CBS pic.twitter.com/8pu5txbQ3L
Off the back of that play, Olave had his most productive game of the season, catching six passes for a season-high 98 yards. But he missed opportunities to make a pair of crucial plays.
First, a Spencer Rattler deep ball that would have been a 20-yard touchdown in the second quarter bounced off of Olave’s fingertips.
Just So Close pic.twitter.com/NVcwMyApCq
— Boot Krewe Media (@BootKreweMedia) October 12, 2025
Then, with the Saints trailing 25-19 and under four minutes to play, Olave dropped another pass that would have gone for a first down at midfield. The Saints ended up punting two plays later and never got the ball back, dropping to 1-5 on the season as a result.
Olave – who’s seen as a potential midseason trade candidate with the Saints struggling – has 39 catches this season, the seventh-most in the NFL, for 342 yards and one touchdown.
Marv’s first game in Indy cut short by concussion
After missing out on playing in the Big Ten Championship Game in his three years at Ohio State, Marvin Harrison Jr. finally got the chance to play in Indianapolis on Sunday.
the past and the present pic.twitter.com/dAkNgQEUpl
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 12, 2025
Unfortunately, Harrison’s first game at the home of his father’s former team was cut short by a concussion. On a leaping 21-yard grab over Colts cornerback Johnathan Edwards in the second quarter, Harrison’s head hit the Lucas Oil Stadium turf, and he was ruled out for the rest of the game.
Harrison had two catches for 32 yards before his injury. He’s caught 22 total passes for 338 yards and two touchdowns through six games this season.
Quick Hits
- Dre’Mont Jones recorded his first sack of the season in the Tennessee Titans’ loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Still D.R.E. @TheOfficial_80
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) October 12, 2025
: #TENvsLV on @NFLonFOX & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/9z7q0aIAzq
- Parris Campbell made his 2025 season debut as the Dallas Cowboys elevated him from their practice squad. He recorded a tackle in kickoff coverage.
- The Miami Dolphins added former Ohio State cornerback Kendall Sheffield to their practice squad.
- The Minnesota Vikings released former Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett from their active roster but added him back to their practice squad.
- The Cleveland Browns waived Thayer Munford Jr., who they signed in September to replace fellow former Ohio State offensive tackle Dawand Jones on their roster. He was not active for any of his three games with the team.
Week 6 Stats
Week 6 and season stats for every Buckeye around the NFL can be found in the table below compiled by Eleven Warriors researcher Matt Gutridge. The table only includes players who have been on an active roster for at least one game this season and who finished their college careers at Ohio State.
| PLAYER | POSITION | TEAM | WEEK 6 STATS | SEASON STATS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAMON ARNETTE | CB | TEXANS | Bye | 2 tackles |
| JEROME BAKER | LB | BROWNS | 1 tackle | 11 tackles |
| JOEY BOSA | DE | BILLS | 5 tackles, 1 QB hit | 14 tackles, 2 sacks (15 yards), 2 TFL, 5 QB hits, 4 FF |
| NICK BOSA | DE | 49ERS | Injured reserve (knee) | 17 tackles, 2 sacks (9 yards), 4 TFL, 2 QB hits, 2 FF, 1 FR |
| NOAH BROWN | WR | COMMANDERS | Inactive | 3 catches, 36 yards |
| BARON BROWNING | LB | CARDINALS | 1 sack (7 yards) | 10 tackles, 2 sacks (13 yards), 2 TFL, 4 QB hits, 1 INT, 1 PD, 1 FR |
| DENZEL BURKE | CB | CARDINALS | Played at CB | 7 tackles, 3 PD |
| PARRIS CAMPBELL | WR | COWBOYS | 1 tackle | 1 tackle |
| JONATHON COOPER | LB | BRONCOS | 5 tackles, 2 sacks (19 yards), 3 QB hits | 18 tackles, 4.5 sacks (35 yards), 3 TFL, 6 QB hits, 2 PD |
| TAYLOR DECKER | OT | LIONS | Inactive | 4 starts at LT |
| J.K. DOBBINS | RB | BRONCOS | 14 carries, 40 yards | 91 carries, 442 yards, 4 TD; 6 catches, 23 yards |
| EMEKA EGBUKA | WR | BUCCANEERS | 2 catches, 24 yards | 27 catches, 469 yards, 5 TD; 2 carries, 9 yards |
| TOMMY EICHENBERG | LB | RAIDERS | 2 tackles | 8 tackles |
| LUKE FARRELL | TE | 49ERS | Started at TE | 6 catches, 47 yards, 1 TD |
| JUSTIN FIELDS | QB | JETS | 9/17, 45 yards; 7 carries, 31 yards | 80/123, 799 yards, 4 TD; 38 carries, 229 yards, 3 TD |
| JOSH FRYAR | OL | CARDINALS | Inactive | 4 games played |
| JORDAN FULLER | S | FALCONS | Injured reserve (knee) | 1 start at safety |
| MIKE HALL JR. | DT | BROWNS | Inactive | Inactive |
| DAVON HAMILTON | DT | JAGUARS | 1 tackle, 1 QB hit | 13 tackles, 2 QB hits |
| TY HAMILTON | DT | RAMS | 1 tackle | 5 tackles |
| JORDAN HANCOCK | S | BILLS | 1 tackle | 2 tackles |
| MALIK HARRISON | LB | STEELERS | Injured reserve (knee) | 1 game played |
| ZACH HARRISON | DL | FALCONS | 2 tackles, 1 PD | 13 tackles, 2.5 sacks (13.5 yards), 2 TFL, 3 QB hits, 1 FF, 1 PD |
| MARVIN HARRISON JR. | WR | CARDINALS | 2 catches, 32 yards | 22 catches, 337 yards, 2 TD |
| TREVEYON HENDERSON | RB | PATRIOTS | 9 carries, 27 yards; 1 catch, 9 yards | 41 carries, 148 yards, 1 TD; 16 catches, 99 yards; 7 KR, 154 yards |
| CAMERON HEYWARD | DT | STEELERS | 2 tackles | 16 tackles, 1 sack (0 yards), 1 TFL, 2 QB hits, 3 PD, 1 FF |
| RONNIE HICKMAN | S | BROWNS | 7 tackles | 39 tackles, 1 PD |
| MALIK HOOKER | S | COWBOYS | Injured reserve (toe) | 20 tackles |
| DONOVAN JACKSON | OL | VIKINGS | Bye | 3 starts at LG |
| JONAH JACKSON | OG | BEARS | Started at RG | 5 starts at RG |
| PARIS JOHNSON JR. | OL | CARDINALS | Started at LT | 5 starts at LT |
| CAMERON JOHNSTON | P | BILLS | Injured reserve (knee) | 7 punts, 44.0 average, 2 inside 20 |
| DAWAND JONES | OT | BROWNS | Injured reserve (knee) | 2 starts at LT, 1 start at RT |
| DRE'MONT JONES | DE | TITANS | 5 tackles, 1 sack (8 yards), 2 QB hits | 17 tackles, 1 sack (8 yards), 1 TFL, 2 QB hits, 1 FR |
| MICHAEL JORDAN | LG | BUCCANEERS | Practice squad | 2 starts at LG |
| QUINSHON JUDKINS | RB | BROWNS | 12 carries, 36 yards | 84 carries, 383 yards, 2 TD; 9 catches, 62 yards |
| MARSHON LATTIMORE | CB | COMMANDERS | 1 tackle | 19 tackles, 1 TFL, 3 PD, 1 FR |
| TYQUAN LEWIS | DT | COLTS | Played at DT | 6 tackles, 3 sacks (18 yards), 4 TFL, 3 QB hits, 1 PD |
| LIAM McCULLOUGH | LS | FALCONS | Played at LS | 5 games played at LS |
| TERRY McLAURIN | WR | COMMANDERS | Inactive | 10 catches, 149 yards |
| JOSH MYERS | C | JETS | Started at C | 6 starts at C |
| JEFF OKUDAH | CB | VIKINGS | Bye | 9 tackles, 1 FR |
| CHRIS OLAVE | WR | SAINTS | 6 catches, 98 yards | 39 catches, 342 yards, 1 TD, 0/1 passing, 1 INT |
| LATHAN RANSOM | S | PANTHERS | 2 tackles | 19 tackles, 1 FF |
| JEREMY RUCKERT | TE | JETS | Started at TE | 8 catches, 72 yards, 1 TD |
| CURTIS SAMUEL | WR | BILLS | Inactive | 3 catches, 35 yards, 1 TD; 6 KR, 166 yards |
| JACK SAWYER | LB | STEELERS | 1 tackle, 2 QB hits | 13 tackles, 1 sack (9 yards), 2 TFL, 2 QB hits, 1 PD |
| JOSH SIMMONS | OT | CHIEFS | Inactive | 5 starts at LT |
| CODY SIMON | LB | CARDINALS | 1 tackle | 5 tackles |
| JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA | WR | SEAHAWKS | 8 catches, 162 yards, 1 TD | 42 catches, 696 yards, 3 TD; 3 carries, 11 yards |
| CADE STOVER | TE | TEXANS | Bye | 4 catches, 22 yards |
| C.J. STROUD | QB | TEXANS | Bye | 102/144, 1,076 yards, 8 TD, 3 INT; 18 carries, 122 yards |
| TOMMY TOGIAI | DT | TEXANS | Bye | 8 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PD |
| JT TUIMOLOAU | DE | COLTS | Inactive | 2 tackles |
| NICK VANNETT | TE | VIKINGS | Practice squad | 3 games played |
| DENZEL WARD | CB | BROWNS | 4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PD | 17 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 5 PD |
| PETE WERNER | LB | SAINTS | 5 tackles, 1 sack (1 yard), 1 TFL, 1 QB hit | 46 tackles, 2 sacks (1 yard), 2 TFL, 3 QB hits, 2 PD, 1 FR |
| TYLEIK WILLIAMS | DL | LIONS | 2 tackles | 4 tackles, 3 PD |
| GARRETT WILSON | WR | JETS | 3 catches, 13 yards | 36 catches, 395 yards, 4 TD |
| LUKE WYPLER | C | BROWNS | Played at OL | 6 games played |
| CHASE YOUNG | DE | SAINTS | 1 tackle | 1 tackle |
