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Anthony Hitchens, Chiefs
Hitchens continued his excellent start to the season by tacking on 12 more tackles in Sunday’s win against Pittsburgh, including 1 1⁄2 for loss. His 26 tackles trail only the 27 by Indianapolis’s Darius Leonard for the league lead.
Josh Jackson, Packers
Jackson impressed again in his second career game, this time finding himself in the right place at the right time on special teams. Jackson tracked down this blocked punt in the first quarter Sunday against Minnesota for the first points in what ended as a 29-29 tie. He also had two tackles on the day.
JOSH JACKSON BLOCKED PUNT pic.twitter.com/UttAK3vjKX
— Nathan Marzion (@natemar3i0n) September 16, 2018
Austin Blythe, Rams
Blythe has apparently impressed Los Angeles coach Sean McVay enough to hold on to the starting right guard spot, even with Jamon Brown’s two-game suspension coming to an end. That means Blythe could be on a short leash if he were to have a bad game, but he’s been strong so far in helping the Rams outscore opponents 67-13.
Sean McVay wouldn't exactly provide an answer, but it certainly sounds like RG Austin Blythe has played himself into a permanent starting role after filling in for the suspended Jamon Brown the last two games.
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) September 18, 2018
Desmond King, Chargers
King made two tackles Sunday but also caught up in a controversial unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. King was admonished after “waving goodbye” to opposing wide receiver Zay Jones following a third-down play.
On the unsportsmanlike call, Desmond King said that he and Zay Jones are pretty good friends, and he felt he got the best of him on that play. "He was crying to the ref, and they caught me," King said. "So it probably won't happen again."
— Eric Williams (@eric_d_williams) September 16, 2018
Marshal Yanda, Ravens
The Ravens lost 34-23 in Cincinnati last Thursday, but Yanda got some play in Peter King’s Football Morning in America on Monday. Yanda spoke to King about extending his professional career through diet, a focus on sleep, and more.
Christian Kirksey, Browns
Kirksey missed Sunday’s contest against the Saints due to shoulder and ankle ailments, marking his first NFL absence. He played all 1,068 defensive snaps in 2017 for Cleveland.
Adrian Clayborn, Patriots
Clayborn continued to see limited action in his second game for New England, but recorded two more QB hits on Sunday against Jacksonville. Clayborn is without a tackle this season.
Mike Daniels, Packers
Daniels hit Minnesota QB Kirk Cousins once in Sunday’s tie.
Josey Jewell, Broncos
Jewell played 13 snaps late in Denver’s victory on Sunday and tallied the first two tackles of his NFL career.
George Kittle, 49ers
Kittle was held in check after a big Week 1, catching two balls for 22 yards in San Francisco’s 30-27 victory against Detroit.
Carl Davis, Browns
Davis recorded a tackle in his Cleveland debut Sunday at New Orleans.
Elsewhere, Buffalo claimed Ike Boettger off waivers after waiving him during final roster cuts, and Adam Gettis was released by Tampa Bay.