Carlos Hyde gets ejected, Marshon Lattimore takes a cheap shot in Week 9 of the NFL

Well, folks. Saturday was not a great day for Ohio State football, but there were still several alumni who made Buckeye Nation proud on Sunday. Week 9 in the NFL featured a few rookies in the headlines, Ted Ginn Jr. continuing to be a deep threat, and a dance party by Darron Lee and the Jets’ defense.

El Guapo gets ejected

Under new head coach Kyle Shanahan, even despite injuries, Carlos Hyde is on pace for a career-high season. On Sunday, he continued this campaign with over 100 yards of total offense -- 12 carries for 41 yards and nine receptions for 84 additional yards. His day was cut short though, when the running back was ejected with just over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter for defending his quarterback during a melee broke out against the Cardinals.

After going through three coaches in his first four years in the league, Carlos Hyde is finally getting some help offensively that could create potential for a long career with San Francisco. The 49ers brought in former New England backup Jimmy Garoppolo ahead of the trade deadline, and finally gave the team a chance to succeed with a good option at quarterback.

Already seeing an increased role with the addition of Shanahan, one would expect Hyde to continue to be a big part of the game plan as Garoppolo finds his footing with his new team, and creates chemistry with his receivers.

Hyde is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season (the last of his rookie contract) and is definitely creating a market for himself. The Niners have been on the upswing, despite their winless record, losing by three or fewer points in five games this season. With the potential of Garoppolo running the offense, Hyde might consider staying on the West Coast next year — if the Niners extend an offer for him to stay, that is.

Things get chippy for Lattimore

The New Orleans Saints boast one of the best defensive rookies in the NFL. Former Buckeye stud Marshon Lattimore has worked his way into Defensive Rookie of the Year conversations and has already become an issue for opposing quarterbacks. That fact bore out in Week 9 against the Bucs.

During a game in which Lattimore had one pass breakup and four total tackles, he was jawing near the sideline with an injured Jameis Winston, when the QB poked Lattimore’s helmet and the Buckeye answered with a little shove. Bucs wideout Mike Evans came from behind laying Lattimore out with a cheap shot in the back, leading to an all-out scuffle on the Tampa Bay sideline.

(At least he wasn’t alone. Later in the video, you can see teammate De'Vante Harris come flying in to get Evans off of Lattimore before he could lay a punch.)

Samuel’s time in Carolina?

The NFL’s trade deadline came and went earlier in the week, and the Panthers decided to send their No. 1 receiver, Kelvin Benjamin, to the Bills for a couple of draft picks. The move, while potentially dangerous for the Carolina offense, should open up more opportunities for former Buckeye rookie Curtis Samuel.

Used as the H-back at Ohio State, he’s been lining up with the wideouts since he was drafted to the Panthers earlier this year. Following a string of injuries that kept him out during some of training camp and preseason, Samuel is finally in a position to make an impact.

In his first taste of additional game time, Samuel finished Week 9 with three catches for 23 yards and one rushing attempt for 14 yards. He has yet to have a breakout game, but if he’s going to do so, it has to be in the second-half of the season — if not, he might relegate himself to a full-time backup role.

Zeke still not suspended

If you’re trying to keep up with the Ezekiel Elliott suspension saga, our friend Jeanna Thomas is doing excellent work over at SB Nation to keep you up to date. Elliott spent most of the week expecting to miss Week 9, in what would be his first game served of the six-game suspension that was originally handed down ahead of the 2017 NFL season. Then, on Friday, the NFLPA won yet another temporary stay on the suspension, leaving the running back eligible to play on Sunday.

In what may, or may not, be one of Zeke’s last games of the season, he put work in on the ground, rushing for 93 yards on 27 carries and one score. Another Buckeye rusher for Dallas, Rod Smith, is expected to take some of Elliott’s carries, should the latter be forced to serve his suspension at some point this year.

Plays of the Week

Ted Ginn Jr.

In his 11th year in the league, and Buckeye legend Ted Ginn Jr. is still an incredible deep threat. The receiver made four catches for 59 yards in Week 9, with a 36-yard touchdown. Despite an up and down career, Ginn looks like he is in good enough shape to play forever.

Darron Lee and the Jets

This week’s edition of Thursday Night Football was between the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills, but the real headline was the Jets defense taking a little dance break during the matchup. Former Buckeye LB Darron Lee had a great game with eight total tackles and his second sack of the season, but he also had some fun with his teammates leading to the best Twitter hashtag search results of the weekend: #JetsDanceToAnything. (You’re welcome.)

Other Notes

• This week’s Monday Night Football matchup features just one Buckeye, when the Green Bay Packers (Corey Linsley) play host to the Detroit Lions.
• After dealing with an injury for a few weeks, Panthers safety Kurt Coleman is back healthy, and had a season-high 10 total tackles in Sunday’s win over the Falcons.
• Safety Vonn Bell had a nice day on Sunday for the Saints, with five total tackles (three solo) and a forced fumble against the Falcons.
• Giants LB Curtis Grant had his second six-tackle game in a row, continuing to prove that New York activating him from the practice squad was a good decision — one of very, very few for the team this season.
• Buckeye kicking legend Mike Nugent has been able to put his poor 2016 to rest with his resurgence in Dallas. He finished Sunday’s afternoon game 4-for-4 on extra point attempts.
• It still seems like Washington is trying to phase Terrelle Pryor Sr. out of the offense, and in Week 9 against the Seahawks, the former Buckeye quarterback snagged only two catches for 17 yards.

Injury Report and Inactives

• Week 3 was the last time rookie Gareon Conley has taken the field for the Raiders, after a blistering start to the season. With expectations running high, the Buckeye has been dealing with a lingering shin injury that continues to keep him sidelined.
• The Colts have fewer Buckeyes active on game days as the weeks go on; this week John Simon was inactive with a lingering neck injury, and second-year linebacker Joshua Perry is still looking for a way to get a spot in the lineup.
• After having only 10 offensive snaps the past two weeks, the Houston Texans set WR Braxton Miller as inactive for Week 9. Cowboys’ rookie Noah Brown was another healthy scratch on Sunday, having yet to notch a spot in the lineup.

Which Buckeyes are on Bye?

• This week sees six teams on bye, including: New England Patriots (Nate Ebner), Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers (Cameron Heyward, Ryan Shazier), LA Chargers (Joey Bosa, Cardale Jones), Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings (Pat Elflein).