#STATEtoSundays: Week 9 Update

Oct 27, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Denico Autry (96) runs onto the field before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Photo by: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

#STATEtoSundays: Week 9 Update

November 05, 2024 | Football

By: Logan Lowery, Assistant Director/Communications

Denico Autry made a major impact in just his third game as a Houston Texan.

The former Mississippi State defensive end notched three solo tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks and a pair of quarterback hurries on the road against the New York Jets last Thursday.

Autry now has 61 career sacks during his 11-year NFL career.

Autry wasn't the only former Bulldog standout to find their way to the quarterback during Week 9. Two-time Pro Bowler Jeffery Simmons had five stops, a tackle for loss, one sack, a quarterback hurry and recovered a fumble in a win for the Tennessee Titans.

Simmons has the second-highest overall grade on the Titans' defense (76.6) according to Pro Football Focus (PFF) as well as the No. 2 pressure grade on the team (71.7) this season. His run defensive grade ranks seventh among interior defensive linemen in the NFL and his overall defensive grade sits 10^th in the league at his position.

Willie Gay Jr. also made a stop in the backfield for New Orleans while Martin Emerson finished tied for third on the team with five tackles for Cleveland this past Sunday.

Logan Cooke punted five times for a 47.6-yard average for Jacksonville, pinning three of those inside the 11-yard line. Cooke earned the second-best punting grade in the NFL (76.0) during Week 9 and his 43.8-yard career net punting average is the best in NFL history since it started being tracked in 1976.

Charles Cross and Elgton Jenkins continue to be stalwarts in the trenches for Seattle and Green Bay respectively, once again logging every offensive snap.

Cross played all 80 offensive plays at left tackle and recovered a fumble, maintaining the top offensive grade for the Seahawks this season at 84.6. He also has the team's top run blocking (82.9) and pass blocking (80.4) grades.

Cross' offensive grade in 2024 ranks fifth among NFL tackles while his run blocking grade sits sixth.

Jenkins started at center for the Packers and played all 65 offensive snaps. He has the best pass blocking grade on the team (83.0) this season and ranks fourth among offensive guards in the NFL in that category.

Dak Prescott completed 18 of 24 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown while also rushing three times for 30 yards before departing Dallas' game with a hamstring injury at the start of the fourth quarter.

Prescott posted the second-highest offensive grade for the Cowboys in Week 9 at 77.3 and could be headed to injured reserve according to team owner Jerry Jones.

Prior to Sunday's game, Seattle placed Cameron Young on injured reserve for the second time this season after reaggravating a knee injury and will be out of action until Week 14.

The Packers traded defensive end Preston Smith to Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Smith has 18 tackles and 2 ½ sacks this season and ranks fourth among edge rushers in the NFL with a 79.6 tackling grade.

JOHNATHAN ABRAM | S | FREE AGENT | AT MSU: 2017-18
Last Week: Abram was released by the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 22.
Season: 18 tackles (10 solo, eight assists), one interception, one pass defense

DENICO AUTRY | DE | HOUSTON TEXANS | AT MSU: 2012-13
Last Week: Autry made three solo tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks and two quarterback hurries in a 21-13 loss at the Jets.

Season: Three solo tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, four quarterback hurries, one pass defense

MARCUS BANKS | S | TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | AT MSU: 2022-23
Last Week: Banks was on the practice squad for a 30-24 overtime loss at the Chiefs.
Season: N/A

LOGAN COOKE | P | JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | AT MSU: 2014-17
Last Week: Cooke punted five times for 238 yards (47.6 avg.) with a long of 56 yards in a 28-23 loss at the Eagles.
Season: Punting - 34 punts for 1,730 yards (50.9 avg.), long 73 Special Teams - One solo tackle

CHARLES CROSS | OT | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | AT MSU: 2019-21
Last Week: Cross started at left tackle, recovered a fumble and played all 80 offensive snaps in a 26-20 loss to the Rams.
Season: Nine games played, nine starts, one fumble recovery

JADEN CRUMEDY | DT | CAROLINA PANTHERS | AT MSU: 2018-23
Last Week: Crumedy was on injured reserve (high-ankle sprain) for a 23-22 win over the Saints.
Season: N/A

MARTIN EMERSON | CB | CLEVELAND BROWNS | AT MSU: 2019-21
Last Week: Emerson started and finished tied for third on the team with five tackles (four solo, one assist) in a 27-10 loss to the Chargers.
Season: 44 tackles (34 solo, 10 assists), five pass defenses, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery

EMMANUEL FORBES | CB | WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | AT MSU: 2020-22
Last Week: Forbes did not play in a 27-22 win at the Giants.
Season: Seven tackles (two solo, five assists), one interception, one pass defense

WILLIE GAY JR. | LB | NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | AT MSU: 2017-19
Last Week: Gay made two solo tackles and one tackle for loss in a 23-22 loss at the Panthers.
Season: 20 tackles (15 solo, five assists), one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, two tackles for loss, one sack, one quarterback hurry, two pass defenses

J.T. GRAY | S | NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | AT MSU: 2014-17
Last Week: Gray saw action in a 23-22 loss at the Panthers.

Season: 14 tackles (nine solo, five assists), one forced fumble, one blocked punt

ELGTON JENKINS | OG | GREEN BAY PACKERS | AT MSU: 2014-18
Last Week: Jenkins started at center and played all 65 offensive snaps in a 24-14 loss to the Lions.
Season: Offense - Nine games played, nine starts Misc. – One solo tackle

CHRIS JONES | DE | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | AT MSU: 2013-15
Last Week: Jones started and made two solo tackles and one quarterback hurry in a 30-24 overtime win against the Buccaneers.
Season: 18 tackles (nine solo, nine assists), four tackles for loss, 3 1/2 sacks, one forced fumble, 10 quarterback hurries

DAK PRESCOTT | QB | DALLAS COWBOYS | AT MSU: 2011-15
Last Week: Prescott started and completed 18 of 24 passes for 133 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed three times for 30 yards in a 27-21 loss at the Falcons.
Season: Passing - 185 of 286, 1,978 yards, 11 touchdowns, eight interceptions Rushing – 13 carries, 54 yards, one touchdown

DECAMERION RICHARDSON | CB | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | AT MSU: 2020-23
Last Week: Richardson had one pass defense in a 41-24 loss at the Bengals.

Season: One solo tackle, one pass defense

JEFFERY SIMMONS | DT | TENNESSEE TITANS | AT MSU: 2016-18
Last Week: Simmons started and made five tackles (two solo, three assists), one tackle for loss, one sack, one quarterback hurry and recovered a fumble in a 20-17 win over the Patriots.
Season: 25 tackles (15 solo, 10 assists), six tackles for loss, three sacks, four quarterback hurries, one pass defense, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery

DARIUS SLAY | CB | PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | AT MSU: 2011-12
Last Week: Slay was inactive for a 28-23 win over the Jaguars.
Season: 27 tackles (21 solo, six assists), one forced fumble, four pass defenses, one tackle for loss

PRESTON SMITH | DE | PITTSBURGH STEELERS | AT MSU: 2011-14
Last Week: Smith started and made three assisted tackles as a member of the Green Bay Packers in a 24-14 loss to the Lions
Season: 18 tackles (six solo, 12 assists), two tackles for loss, 2 1/2 sacks, four quarterback hurries

MONTEZ SWEAT | DE | CHICAGO BEARS | AT MSU: 2017-18
Last Week: Sweat was inactive for a 29-9 loss at the Cardinals.
Season: 14 tackles (10 solo, four assists), two pass defenses, five tackles for loss, 3 1/2 sacks, six quarterback hurries, one forced fumble

NATHANIEL WATSON | LB | CLEVELAND BROWNS | AT MSU: 2018-23
Last Week: Watson saw action in a 27-10 loss to the Chargers.
Season: Six tackles (four solo, two assists)

TYRUS WHEAT | DE | DALLAS COWBOYS | AT MSU: 2020-22
Last Week: Wheat made one assisted tackle in a 27-21 loss at the Falcons.

Season: 12 tackles (five solo, seven assists), one tackle for loss, 0.5 sack, one quarterback hurry

CAMERON YOUNG | DT | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | AT MSU: 2018-22
Last Week: Young was placed on injured reserve (knee) in a 26-20 loss to the Rams.
Season: One game played