Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson made his long-awaited return to the gridiron in Week 9 after suffering a torn ACL near the end of the 2023 season. Hockenson pulled in three of his four targets for 27 yards in the 21-13 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta secured two catches for 28 yards in the 24-14 divisional win over the Green Bay Packers. 

The Seattle Seahawks’ 26-20 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams didn’t feature Noah Fant as he missed the game due to a groin strain he suffered in practice during the week. 

The San Francisco 49ers and tight end George Kittle got some rest as they were on their bye this week. 

While Hockenson played his first game after recovering from the ACL tear, Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor announced that tight end Erick All Jr. suffered a torn ACL in the 41-24 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders and will miss the rest of the season. 

Ball Hawks

Lions linebacker Jack Campbell racked up a season-high 13 tackles, six solo and seven assisted, playing a crucial role in the divisional win to stay atop the NFC North. On the flip side, Packers defensive end Lukas Van Ness tallied two assisted tackles in the loss. 

The Carolina Panthers secured their second win of the season over the New Orleans Saints, 23-22, with the help of linebacker Josey Jewell’s one solo tackle and five assisted tackles. 

Tennessee Titans safety Amani Hooker logged two solo tackles, three assisted tackles, three  deflected passes, and one quarterback hit in the 20-17 overtime win over the New England Patriots.

The Denver Broncos’ 41-10 blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens featured cornerback Riley Moss’ three solo tackles and two assisted tackles. 

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Chauncey Golston’s two solo tackles and three assisted tackles wasn’t enough to overcome the 27-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. 

Cornerback Cooper DeJean continues to thrive as a starter for the Philadelphia Eagles, logging three solo tackles and two deflected passes in the 28-23 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

The Bengals’ dominant win came with the help of safety Geno Stone’s two solo tackles and two assisted tackles, while Buffalo Bills defensive end A.J. Epenesa’s two tackles helped secure a 30-27 win over the Miami Dolphins. 

Linebacker Anthony Nelson furnished the same statline, including one tackle for loss, in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 30-24 Monday Night Football overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. 

The Chicago Bears’ offense failed to score a touchdown in the 29-9 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Punter Tory Taylor logged 218 yards with a long of 67 on four punts. 

Flock of Offense Lineman

Center Tyler Linderbaum dominated up-front for the Baltimore Ravens, engineering 127 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in the blowout win over the Denver Broncos. He also allowed zero pressures, helping quarterback Lamar Jackson earn a perfect passer rating of 158.3. 

Offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs and the Bucs accumulated just 95 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown on 19 carries, mainly due to game script, in the loss to the Chiefs. 

Though they are a team that usually dominates on the ground, the Rams defeated the Seahawks without getting a touchdown from a running back, marking the first such occasion this year. Featuring offensive tackle Alaric Jackson, Los Angeles’ 68 rushing yards was a season-low.  

Guard Brandon Scherff and the Jaguars’ inefficient run game continued in the loss to the Eagles with 60 rushing yards on 18 carries. Jacksonville’s only two offensive touchdowns came on the ground.