Ji’Ayir Brown, a former standout safety from Penn State, had some of his best plays in his early NFL career in the 49ers’ victory over the Bucs on Sunday
Throughout his tenure at Penn State, safety Ji’Ayir Brown demonstrated a talent for producing clutch plays in crucial moments, as evidenced by his game-winning interception against Wisconsin in 2021 and his defensive touchdown against Rutgers the previous season. Brown’s NFL career took a little while to start, but on Sunday he made a big play for the San Francisco 49ers.
After taking over for the injured stara Talanoa Hufang in the 49ers defense, rookie receiver Brown broke up a pass against Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Mike Evans on a fourth-down, and he later intercepted Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield in the end zone to give San Francisco the victory.
Brown played more defensive snaps on Sunday as a result, surpassing the total for the nine games prior. Though he had to wait his turn, the third-round pick eventually delivered when it mattered most.
In Week 11 of the 2023 NFL season, Brown was just one of a few former Penn State players to step up in crucial situations.
Micah Parsons, a linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, tied a career high against the Carolina Panthers with 2.5 sacks. With 10 sacks for the season, he is on pace to eclipse his previous best of 13.5 from the previous campaign.
Parsons’ sack total also places him in elite company, as he is only the seventh player in NFL history to have 10 or more sacks in their first three seasons of play since sacks were first officially tracked in 1982. Derrick Thomas and Reggie White are two Hall of Famers on that list. Since Shawne Merriman in 2005–07, Parsons is the first player in the NFL to achieve the feat.
Parsons claimed to have taken an energy powder prior to the game, which is why he was throwing up on the sidelines while achieving the feat.
In other NFL news, Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh successfully pursued the quarterback in a win, Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth and Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington made their injury-reserve returns. Running back Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants also scored twice in the end zone.
