Irish in the NFL: Fuller makes history, Te’o named team captain

In Week 2 of NFL action, Texans wideout Will Fuller made history with his second straight 100-yard receiving game. Keep up with all the Irish in the NFL.

While Notre Dame tried desperately to rally in the fourth quarter against Michigan State last weekend, DeShone Kizer surely wished for a target with the blazing speed and talent of his favorite receiver last season, Will Fuller.

Fuller, meanwhile, was definitely watching. But he was also preparing for the second week of his pro career, trying to follow up his fantastic Week 1 performance in which he collected 107 receiving yards and a score.

He did just that Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, grabbing four passes for 104 yards. He is the first Texans rookie ever to start his career with back-to-back 100-yard games, so it’s no surprise some are tabbing him as an early favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Even Bill Belichick is impressed.

Meanwhile, while the Irish defense floundered without a clear leader last weekend against Michigan State, a former Notre Dame legend was preparing to suit up across the country: Manti Te’o.

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Lost in the shuffle of Week 1 news was the fact that Te’o has been named a 2016 captain for the San Diego Chargers in his fourth season with the team, just as he captained the Irish. Te’o has certainly come a long way from his ignominious start in the league.

Through two games this year, Te’o has been credited with 14 tackles, second on the team.

A pair of former Irish offensive linemen are also making an immediate impact for their respective pro squads. Tackle Zack Martin has started twice for the Dallas Cowboys and been an integral part of rookie Dak Prescott’s drama-free start as quarterback, while tackle Ronnie Stanley has battled through injury to aid the Baltimore Ravens to a 2-0 start.

Elsewhere across the league, former Irish receiver Michael Floyd caught his first touchdown of the 2016 season for the Arizona Cardinals, though he finished the game against the Oakland Raiders with just two catches for eight yards. Tight end Kyle Rudolph also snagged a TD for the Minnesota Vikings in a winning effort against the Green Bay Packers. He finished with three catches for 31 yards.

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Rudolph’s teammate, former Irish safety Harrison Smith, had seven tackles for the Vikes in the win.