How They Fared: Ward tops Minshew’s Chiefs in battle of former WSU QBs

In a rare NFL battle between former Washington State quarterbacks, it was rookie Cam Ward who got a stellar victory over a collection of former Cougs that included Kansas City quarterback Gardner Minshew in NFL Week 16.

Finally getting his first action as a starting quarterback in over a year, Minshew only tossed eight passes before suffering a knee injury in the Chiefs’ 26-9 loss to the Titans on Sunday.

Ward, who played two years at WSU before playing his senior year at Miami, put together one of his better games of the season.

The No. 1 draft pick went 21-of-28 passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions to help Tennessee get just its third win of the season.

The former Cougs on the losing sideline? Minshew, DBs Jaden Hicks and Jaylen Watson and OT Esa Pole.

It’s a heartbreaking end to the season for Minshew, who was replacing superstar Patrick Mahomes, who suffered his own knee injury the week prior. Unlike Mahomes, Minshew didn’t tear his ACL and won’t need surgery, but the injury still sent the seven-year veteran to the injured reserve.

Here’s how all the former Cougs, Idaho Vandals and one Moscow Bear fared in NFL Week 16.

Idaho

LB, Kaden Elliss, Atlanta Falcons: The veteran linebacker racked up four tackles (one solo) in a 26-19 win over the Cardinals.

LB, Christian Elliss, New England Patriots: The former undrafted free agent tallied five tackles (three solo) in a 28-24 victory over the Ravens on Sunday Night Football.

LS, Hogan Hatten, Detroit Lions: Hatten snapped for one field goal (1-for-1), three extra points (3-for-3) and three punts (53.0 average) in a 29-24 loss to the Steelers.

CB, Marcus Harris (Cal), Tennessee Titans: The rookie recorded one tackle in a 26-9 win against the Chiefs.

WSU

S, Jaden Hicks, Kansas City Chiefs: The second-year safety had four solo tackles in a 26-9 loss to the Titans.

CB, Jaylen Watson, Kansas City Chiefs: The veteran defensive back compiled seven tackles (three solo) in the 26-9 loss to the Titans.

QB, Gardner Minshew, Kansas City Chiefs: Minshew started his first game for the Chiefs, going 3-of-8 passing for 15 yards and rushing once for 8 yards before suffering a knee injury in the loss to the Titans. The knee injury was confirmed to not be an ACL tear and won’t require surgery, but it still sent him to the injured reserve — a disappointing development for a QB who was set to take over for the injured Patrick Mahomes for the rest of the season. The Chiefs’ starting QB is now Chris Oladokun, a practice squad call-up.

OL, Esa Pole, Kansas City Chiefs: The undrafted rookie and former practice squad member started at left tackle in the loss to the Titans.

N, Chau Smith-Wade, Carolina Panthers: Smith-Wade accumulated five tackles (three solo) in a 23-20 victory over the Buccaneers.

DT, Daniel Ekuale, Pittsburgh Steelers: On the reserve/suspended list for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy, he did not play in a 29-24 win over the Lions.

LB, Frankie Luvu, Washington Commanders: Luvu recorded eight tackles (five solo) in a 29-18 loss to the Eagles.

LB, Brennan Jackson, Las Vegas Raiders: On the injured reserve, he did not play in a 23-21 loss to the Texans.

S, Jalen Thompson, Arizona Cardinals: Thompson was ruled out for the second straight week with a hamstring injury and did not play in a 26-19 loss to the Falcons.

LB, Daiyan Henley, Los Angeles Chargers: The team captain compiled six tackles (four solo) in a 34-17 victory over the Cowboys.

OL, Abraham Lucas, Seattle Seahawks: The starting offensive tackle helped his team rack up 415 yards of total offense in a thrilling 38-37 overtime victory over the Rams on Thursday Night Football.

WR, Kyle Williams, New England Patriots: The rookie had two catches for 46 yards and a touchdown and returned three kickoffs for 89 yards (29.7 average) in a 28-24 win against the Ravens on Sunday Night Football.

CB, Cam Lampkin, Los Angeles Rams: On the practice squad, he did not play in the 38-37 overtime loss to the Seahawks.

QB, Cam Ward (Miami), Tennessee Titans: Ward went 21-of-28 passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions in a 26-9 win over the Chiefs.

Moscow High School

LB, Jonah Elliss, Denver Broncos: The youngest Elliss bro totaled four tackles (two solo) in a 34-20 loss to the Jaguars.

Wiebe may be contacted at (208) 848-2277, swiebe@lmtribune.com or on Twitter @StephanSports.