SAN DIEGO – The NBA season is underway for a quartet of former Aztecs.
Starting off in the NFL, however, New York Giants rookie tight end Daniel Bellinger (2018-21) started for the sixth time in seven games. In the second quarter, he caught a 13-yard pass to pick up a first down and get the Giants into field goal range. On the play, Bellinger was poked in the eye and had to leave the game. He suffered a fracture around his eye socket and will have surgery. Before the injury, Bellinger saw action on 26 snaps on offense and four on special teams in the win. The Giants head to Seattle on Sunday.
Atlanta cornerback Darren Hall (2018-20) earned his second career start against Cincinnati. Hall made a career-high six tackles (five solo) while playing for all 68 snaps on defense. The Falcons host Carolina in Week Eight. San Francisco offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill (2013-16) was on the field for 24 snaps on offense and five on special teams. Next week, the 49ers head to Los Angeles to play the Rams. In a Thursday night victory, Arizona rookie defensive lineman Cameron Thomas (2019-21) pressured New Orleans quarterback Andy Dalton into an interception that was returned for a touchdown, the second consecutive play with that result. He also made a solo tackle. He appeared on 24 defensive snaps and six special teams snaps. His teammate, long snapper Aaron Brewer (2008-11), was on the field for nine snaps on special teams. The Cardinals go to Minnesota on Sunday.
Seattle running back Rashaad Penny (2014-17), Pittsburgh safety Damontae Kazee (2013-16) and New York Jets fullback Nick Bawden (2014, 16-17) are on injured reserve. This week, Kazee was designated to return and was able to practice for the first time this season. Former Aztecs on practice squads are linebacker Calvin Munson (2013-16) on New England, offensive lineman Zachary Thomas (2017-21) on Chicago, linebacker Segun Olubi (2020-21) on Indianapolis, defensive back Trenton Thompson (2016, 18-21) on the New York Giants, offensive lineman William Dunkle (2019-21) on Pittsburgh and offensive lineman Keith Ismael (2017-19), defensive lineman Alex Barrett (2013-16) and safety Tayler Hawkins (2017-21) on San Francisco.
In the NBA, forward Kawhi Leonard (2010-11) appeared in two of the first three games for the Los Angeles Clippers. He averaged 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals. Guard Malachi Flynn (2020) appeared in two games for the Toronto Raptors, averaging 4.5 points. Forward Jalen McDaniels (2017-19) played in all three games for the Charlotte Hornets, tied for the NBA lead, putting up 9.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.3 steals and 1.0 block per game. Guard Jordan Schakel (2018-21) has yet to appear for the Washington Wizards.
In the MLB, Houston infielder David Hensley (2015-18) did not appear in the Astros' ALCS sweep of the New York Yankees. Hensley and the Astros will face Philadelphia in the World Series, with the first game coming on Friday night.
On the PGA Tour, J.J. Spaun (2009-12) tied for 58th in the CJ CUP in South Carolina at 2-over-par. Xander Schauffele (2013-15) is ranked sixth in the world and 60th in the FedEx Cup while Spaun ranks 87th in the world and 47th in the FedEx Cup and Scott Piercy (1999-2001) ranks 91st in the FedEx Cup. This weekend, Piercy will compete in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship in Southampton, Bermuda.