Bruins in the NFL: Week 8 performances

UCLA plays Saturdays, but the school has some former players who take the field on Sundays. Here’s this week’s update on what former Bruins did in their NFL games:

Akeem Ayers, fourth-year linebacker for the New England Patriots: Ayers was traded to the New England Patriots this week after playing in just two games this season for the Tennessee Titans. He made an impact right away for his new team, recording a sack and five tackles in the Patriots’ 51-23 win over the Chicago Bears.

Anthony Barr, rookie linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings: Last week, Barr posted one of the best statistical games of his rookie year. This week, Barr made the biggest play of his NFL career. On the first play of overtime, Barr forced a fumble and returned it 27 yards for the game-winning score. He also recorded eight tackles and a sack in the Vikings’ 19-13 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Nate Chandler, third-year offensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers: The Panthers had a chance to go on a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter, but quarterback Cam Newton was sacked twice and couldn’t get anything going. Chandler was dealing with a thigh injury during the week but played at right tackle on Sunday. He seemed to have a rough game in the Panthers’ 13-9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Derrick Coleman, third-year fullback for the Seattle Seahawks: Coleman was placed on injured reserve this week for an undisclosed foot injury. The move ended his season.

Joseph Fauria, second-year tight end for the Detroit Lions: Fauria has played in just three games this season after he injured his ankle while trying to get his dog to stop peeing in the house. He was inactive again on Sunday in the Lion’s 22-21 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Kai Forbath, third-year kicker for Washington: Forbath and his Washington teammates play the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football.

Cory Harkey, third-year tight end for the St. Louis Rams: Harkey didn’t record any stats in the Rams’ 34-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Mike Harris, third-year offensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings are dealing with injuries on the offensive line, so Harris, a tackle, is seeing time at guard despite the fact he hasn’t played there since he was a kid. The Vikings beat the Buccaneers, 19-13.

Datone Jones, second-year defensive end for the Green Bay Packers: Jones was inactive in the Packers’ 44-23 loss to the New Orleans Saints because of an injured ankle.

Maurice Jones-Drew, ninth-year running back for the Oakland Raiders: Another rough week for Jones-Drew. He carried the ball six times for eight yards in the Raiders’ 23-13 loss to the Cleveland Browns. This season, he’s run 18 times for just 48 yards.

Marcedes Lewis, ninth-year tight end for the Jacksonville Jaguars: Lewis was placed on the Jaguars’ injured reserve/designated to return list five weeks ago with an ankle injury; he didn’t play in Jacksonville’s 24-6 win over the Cleveland Browns.

Jeff Locke, second-year punter for the Minnesota Vikings: Locke is having a very nice season for the Vikings. In their 19-13 win over the Buccaneers, Locke punted eight times and averaged almost 45 yards per punt.

Cassius Marsh, rookie defensive end for the Seattle Seahawks: Marsh was placed on injured reserve in mid-October after breaking his foot in practice. The move ended his season.

Rahim Moore, fourth-year free safety for the Denver Broncos: Moore had one tackle, one interception and two defended passes in the Broncos’ 35-21 win over the San Diego Chargers on Thursday night.

Logan Paulsen, fifth-year tight end for Washington: Washington plays Dallas on Monday Night Football.

Matthew Slater, seventh-year wide receiver for the New England Patriots: Slater, the Patriots’ special teams ace, didn’t record any stats in the 51-23 win over the Bears.

Xavier Su’a-Filo, rookie offensive guard for the Houston Texans: Su’a-Filo got some playing time at left guard in the Texans’ 30-16 win over the Tennessee Titans.

Alterraun Verner, fifth-year cornerback for Tampa Bay: Verner had a busy game on Sunday, recording eight tackles and two defended passes in the Buccaneers 19-13 loss to the Vikings.

Christian Yount, fourth-year center/long-snapper for Cleveland: Yount didn’t have any negative snaps in the Browns’ 23-13 win over the Raiders.

Two former Bruins were placed on injured reserve and will not be playing this season. Those players are rookie linebacker Jordan Zumwalt (Steelers) and rookie wide receiver Shaquelle Evans (New York Jets).

For more Bruin observations, follow Everett Cook on Twitter @everettcook