Ezekiel Elliott had career-high carries in Week 8 of the NFL

As Ohio State’s 2017 season continues to elicit memories of the 2014 Championship run, the stars from the CFP history-making team are now setting records at the next level. Joey Bosa and Ezekiel Elliott continue to be the dynamic forces they were when they donned the Scarlet and Grey, and are among an elite group of representatives of Buckeyes in the NFL.

Now halfway through the season, several roster moves were still being made — marking good news for some, and bad news for one — and rookies continuing to prove their value to their new teams. Unfortunately, Week 8 in the season sees more Buckeyes added to IR, with others still sitting on the sideline.

Zeke’s career-high day

After a rookie season that seemed tough to follow, running back Ezekiel Elliott continues to shoulder the load for the Cowboys. During a rainstorm on Sunday, Dallas committed to a ground game, which resulted in a career-high 33 carries for the former Buckeye. He rushed for 150 yards — a season-high and the third highest of his career — and two scores.

Elliott was riding a hot streak with zero fumbles this season heading into the Week 8 matchup, but he couldn’t continue through the rain, and finally gave one up on Sunday.

Pryor being phased out in Washington

Months after the free agency debacle with the Cleveland Browns and Terrelle Pryor Sr., the quarterback-turned-receiver has been slowly phased out of Washington’s offense, culminating in zero receptions or rushing yards in Sunday’s loss to Dallas. Sure, the weather was bad and it wasn’t a pass-friendly day, but Kirk Cousins still threw for 263 yards and touchdown, and Pryor is more than capable of getting yards.

Having only signed a one-year deal, Pryor was hoping to earn a big, long-term contract come season’s end — but that seems like a pipe dream at this point. Coming off his first 1,000-plus yard season as a wideout, the Buckeye has followed that up with only 18 receptions (on 33 targets) for 263 yards and one touchdown through Week 8. Those kind of numbers, and seemingly little improvement in the chemistry with Cousins, could leave Pryor back on the free agency market come the spring.

Buckeyes on the move

It was a good and bad week for some former Ohio State players, with Mike Nugent signing with the Cowboys, Joshua Perry being called up to the Colts active roster, and Tyvis Powell being waived from the Seahawks practice squad.

In his first NFL action since the preseason, Nugent went 4-of-5 field goal attempts, and 3-for-3 in point afters. Missing only one kick — especially in the down-pour conditions — had to make the Buckeye happy, having been without a team since Week 1.

Plays of the Week

Marshon Lattimore

The Buckeye rookie is quickly making a big name for himself at the next level, snagging another three total (and solo) tackles and two pass breakups in Week 8. But the real noisemaker was his game-sealing interception late in the fourth. It marks Lattimore’s second NFL pick and third overall turnover. His statline is starting to resemble the one he forged at Ohio State.

Joey Bosa...again

Another day, another ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Bosa set a record with his Tom Brady take down on Sunday, claiming 19 sacks in his first 20 games in the league. After winning Defensive Rookie of the Year, it was hard to imagine the Buckeye getting even better, but he has —and he tag teams quarterbacks with Melvin Ingram in terrifying fashion.

Other Notes

• Two Buckeyes should see playing time in this week’s edition of Monday Night Football when the Denver Broncos (Jeff Heuerman, Bradley Roby) take on the Kansas City Chiefs.
• Steelers’ linebacker Ryan Shazier recorded seven tackles, and defended one pass against the Detroit Lions on Sunday night.
• Week 8 saw the fourth and final international game of the 2017 season, with the Minnesota Vikings (Pat Elflein) and Cleveland Browns facing off in London.
• Jet’s LB Darron Lee was fined over $45K for last week’s game against the Dolphins, making his season’s total almost $73K. (Yikes.)
• After missing the past few weeks with an injury, Panthers’ safety Kurt Coleman was back on the field in a big way, claiming nine total tackles on the day, seven solo.

Injury Report and Inactives

• After tearing both his MCL and ACL last week, Colts rookie Malik Hooker has officially been moved to IR to close out his first year in the league. That marks six total Buckeyes -- two Colts — to finish the 2017 on IR, including: Michael Bennett (Jags), Taylor Decker (Lions), Malik Hooker (Colts), Raekwon McMillan (Dolphins), Jack Mewhort (Colts), Devin Smith (Jets).
• The Colts — who started the year with four healthy Buckeyes — is down another alumni of the Silver Bullets. Linebacker John Simon has been deemed week-to-week after sustaining a neck stinger in Week 7.
• Rookie Gareon Conley is still out with a lingering shin injury for the Oakland Raiders. The team has got to be anxious to get the Buckeye back after he impressed early on in the season.
• QB Cardale Jones was once again a healthy scratch for the Chargers.

Buckeyes on Bye

• It’s Week 8 in the NFL, which means more bye weeks. This week’s teams taking a breather are the Arizona Cardinals (Alex Boone), Green Bay Packers (Corey Linsley), Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams (Jake McQuaide), New York Giants (Eli Apple, Curtis Grant), Tennessee Titans.