#STATEtoSundays: Week 10 Update
November 12, 2024 | Football
Preston Smith had a memorable debut with Pittsburgh this past Sunday.
After being acquired by the Steelers last week and switching from defensive end back to outside linebacker, Smith made three solo stops, two tackles for loss, one sack and a quarterback hurry in a 28-27 win over Washington.
The former Mississippi State standout now has 3 ½ sacks on the season and 69 ½ during his decade-long career.
Smith posted the third-highest defensive grade (72.1) for Pittsburgh during Week 10 and led the Steelers with a 72.4 coverage grade. His 80.0 tackling grade for the season ranks fourth among edge rushers in the NFL.
Willie Gay Jr. (New Orleans) and Chris Jones (Kansas City) earned the highest defensive grades for their respective teams this past week. Gay made three tackles and graded out at 78.4 to lead the Saints, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). He had the second-highest run defensive grade and also the third-best coverage grade in a 20-17 win over Atlanta.
Gay's defensive grade ranked ninth among all linebackers in the NFL during Week 10 and his run defensive grade (76.3) was 10th at his position.
Jones recorded two assisted tackles and a quarterback hurry in the Chiefs' 16-14 victory against Denver. The five-time Pro Bowler and three-time Super Bowl champion earned a 79.2 defensive grade, which was also the 10th-best by a defensive lineman this past week.
Jones also ranked third in both pressure and run defense for Kansas City during Week 10. He leads all interior defensive linemen in the NFL with a 90.8 pressure grade in 2024 and his overall defensive grade of 89.7 ranks third at his position.
Jones' pressure grade this season is tied for 10th among all NFL players.
Denico Autry notched a pair of assisted tackles, one quarterback hurry and helped force an interception for Houston. During the second quarter, Autry grabbed Detroit quarterback Jared Goff's arm as he was releasing the football which resulted in an interception by the Texans' defense.
Logan Cooke punted five times for a 54.8-yard average including a long of 68 yards for Jacksonville. Cooke is averaging 51.4 yards per punt this season, which is tied for fourth in the league.
Another Bulldog with a knack for special teams, J.T. Gray racked up three tackles for New Orleans last week. Gray's 90.1 special teams grade ranked fifth in the NFL for Week 10.
JOHNATHAN ABRAMÂ | S | FREE AGENTÂ |Â AT MSU: 2017-18
Last Week:Â Abram was released by the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 22.Â
Season:Â 18 tackles (10 solo, eight assists), one interception, one pass defense
DENICO AUTRYÂ | DE | HOUSTON TEXANSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2012-13
Last Week:Â Autry started and made two assisted tackles, one quarterback hurry and one pass defense in a 26-23 loss to the Lions.
Season:Â Five tackles (three solo, two assists), two tackles for loss, two sacks, five quarterback hurries, two pass defenses
MARCUS BANKSÂ | S | TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2022-23
Last Week:Â Banks was on the practice squad for a 23-20 loss to the 49ers.
Season:Â N/A
LOGAN COOKEÂ | P | JACKSONVILLE JAGUARSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2014-17
Last Week:Â Cooke punted five times for 274 yards (54.8 avg.) with a long of 68 yards in a 12-7 loss to the Vikings.
Season:Â Punting -Â 39 punts for 1,730 yards (51.4 avg.), long 73Â Special Teams -Â One solo tackle
CHARLES CROSSÂ | OT | SEATTLE SEAHAWKSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2019-21
Last Week:Â Open date
Season:Â Nine games played, nine starts, one fumble recovery
JADEN CRUMEDYÂ | DT | CAROLINA PANTHERS |Â AT MSU: 2018-23
Last Week:Â Crumedy was not active for a 20-17 win over the Giants in Munich, Germany.
Season:Â N/A
MARTIN EMERSONÂ | CB | CLEVELAND BROWNSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2019-21
Last Week:Â Open date
Season:Â 44 tackles (34 solo, 10 assists), five pass defenses, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery
EMMANUEL FORBESÂ | CB | WASHINGTON COMMANDERSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2020-22
Last Week:Â Forbes saw action in a 28-27 loss to the Steelers.
Season:Â Seven tackles (two solo, five assists), one interception, one pass defense
WILLIE GAY JR. | LB | NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | AT MSU: 2017-19
Last Week:Â Gay made three tackles (two solo, one assist) in a 20-17 win over the Falcons.
Season:Â 23 tackles (17 solo, six assists), one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, two tackles for loss, one sack, one quarterback hurry, two pass defenses
J.T. GRAYÂ | S | NEW ORLEANS SAINTSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2014-17
Last Week:Â Gray made three tackles (one assist, one special teams solo, one special teams assist) in a 20-17 win over the Falcons.
Season:Â 17 tackles (10 solo, seven assists), one forced fumble, one blocked punt
ELGTON JENKINSÂ | OG | GREEN BAY PACKERS |Â AT MSU: 2014-18
Last Week:Â Open date
Season: Offense - Nine games played, nine starts Misc. – One solo tackle
CHRIS JONESÂ | DE | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS |Â AT MSU: 2013-15
Last Week:Â Jones started and made two assisted tackles and one quarterback hurry in a 16-14 win over the Broncos.
Season:Â 20 tackles (nine solo, 11 assists), four tackles for loss, 3 1/2 sacks, one forced fumble, 11 quarterback hurries
DAK PRESCOTTÂ | QB | DALLAS COWBOYS |Â AT MSU: 2011-15
Last Week:Â Prescott was inactive for a 34-6 loss to the Eagles.
Season: Passing - 185 of 286, 1,978 yards, 11 touchdowns, eight interceptions Rushing – 13 carries, 54 yards, one touchdownÂ
DECAMERION RICHARDSONÂ | CB | LAS VEGAS RAIDERSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2020-23
Last Week:Â Open date
Season:Â One solo tackle, one pass defense
JEFFERY SIMMONSÂ | DT | TENNESSEE TITANS |Â AT MSU: 2016-18
Last Week:Â Simmons started and made five tackles (two solo, three assists), one quarterback hurry and one pass defense in a 27-17 loss at the Chargers.
Season:Â 30 tackles (17 solo, 13 assists), six tackles for loss, three sacks, five quarterback hurries, two pass defenses, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery
DARIUS SLAYÂ | CB | PHILADELPHIA EAGLES |Â AT MSU: 2011-12
Last Week:Â Slay started and made two pass defenses in a 34-6 win at the Cowboys. Â
Season:Â 27 tackles (21 solo, six assists), one forced fumble, six pass defenses, one tackle for loss
PRESTON SMITHÂ | LB | PITTSBURGH STEELERSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2011-14
Last Week:Â Smith made three solo tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and one quarterback hurry in a 28-27 win at the Commanders.
Season:Â 21 tackles (nine solo, 12 assists), four tackles for loss, 3 1/2 sacks, five quarterback hurries
MONTEZ SWEATÂ | DE | CHICAGO BEARSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2017-18
Last Week:Â Sweat started and made one assisted tackle and one quarterback hurry in a 19-3 loss to the Patriots.
Season:Â 15 tackles (10 solo, five assists), two pass defenses, five tackles for loss, 3 1/2 sacks, seven quarterback hurries, one forced fumble
NATHANIEL WATSONÂ | LB | CLEVELAND BROWNSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2018-23
Last Week:Â Open date
Season:Â Six tackles (four solo, two assists)
TYRUS WHEATÂ | DE | DALLAS COWBOYSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2020-22
Last Week:Â Wheat made two tackles (one solo, one assist) in a 34-6 loss to the Eagles.
Season:Â 14 tackles (six solo, eight assists), one tackle for loss, 0.5 sack, one quarterback hurry
CAMERON YOUNGÂ | DT | SEATTLE SEAHAWKSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2018-22
Last Week:Â Open date
Season:Â One game played
