Buffs in the NFL: Shenault’s Career Day; Oliver Injured

Former Colorado Buffaloes wideout Laviska Shenault Jr. has always had a knack for coming up big when the spotlight is on. Last Thursday night, the young Jaguars receiver showed up in a big way. Shenault had six receptions for a career-high 99 yards to lead all Jacksonville receivers in a 24-21 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The highlight of the night was this spinning grab on a 52-yard heave from Jaguars rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Shenault’s performance was good enough to earn him a 90.6 grade from Pro Football Focus, the highest-graded player in Thursday Night’s contest. Through four games this season, Shenault Jr. has 19 receptions for 194 yards. Also receiving the start in Thursday night’s game was Bengals defensive tackle Josh Tupou, who saw action on 23 plays. Bengals defensive back Chidobe Awuzie was inactive with a groin injury.

Following his game-winner against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3, Green Bay kicker Mason Crosby connected on field goals of 26 and 27 yards in the Packers 27-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Crosby has made all six of his field goals and all 11 of his extra point attempts this season. Steelers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon was inactive in the contest.

Elsewhere around the league, Giants right tackle Nate Solder saw action on all 65 offensive plays in New York’s 27-21 overtime win against the New Orleans Saints. Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Davion Taylor registered two combined tackles on nine plays in a 42-30 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith had a tackle and broke up a pass in a 24-7 win over the Broncos. While Houston Texans tailback Phillip Lindsay couldn’t get anything going against a tough Buffalo Bills defense. Lindsay carried the ball four times for a loss of a yard.

And some sad news to report out of Atlanta. Coming off a dominating performance last week against the Giants, Falcons cornerback Isaiah Oliver had two combined tackles Sunday against the Washington Football Club before leaving in the second quarter with a knee injury. Tuesday the Falcons placed Oliver on injured reserve. Wednesday, head coach Arthur Smith announced that Oliver was out for the season. “I can’t say enough good things about him as a pro and a teammate. He’s really bought in, was having a good year. That’s the crappy part about this game,” Smith said, via Josh Kendall of TheAthletic.com.

From all of us at Ralphie Report, get well soon Isaiah.