South Dakotans in the NFL, Week 8

NFL: Houston Texans at Green Bay Packers — Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (85) catches a first half touchdown pass against the Houston Texans on Oct. 20, 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

By Matt Zimmer

October 29, 2024 at 6:00 AM

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Sunday was 'National Tight End Day'.

Yes, apparently that's a thing.

And Tucker Kraft made a point to celebrate it. The second-year South Dakota State alum from Timber Lake had three catches on Sunday, including a 67-yard gain and his fifth touchdown of the season, sparking the Packers to a 30-27 win in Jacksonville.

For the season Kraft now has 24 catches for 342 yards as he continues to trend upwards.

Meanwhile bad news for a former USF Cougar, as Cardinals linebacker Dennis Gardeck will miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury. The seventh-year pro finishes the year with 22 tackles, three sacks, an interception and a forced fumble.

Here's how the rest of the NFL's South Dakotans did in Week 8.

Jack Cochrane, LB, Kansas City, USD
Got on the field for 19 plays, all on special teams, in the Chiefs' win over the Raiders.

Isaiah Davis, RB, New York Jets, SDSU
Had a special teams tackle in the Jets' loss to New England.

Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia, SDSU/Britton-Hecla
Did not play due to injury.

CJ Ham, FB, Minnesota, Augustana
Started at fullback and played eight offensive snaps and 17 on special teams in the Vikings' loss to the Rams on Thursday night.

Tucker Kraft, TE, Green Bay, SDSU/Timber Lake
Had three catches for 78 yards and a touchdown in the Packers win over the Jags.

Mason McCormick, G, Pittsburgh, SDSU/SF Roosevelt
Started at right guard and helped the Steelers to a Monday night win over the Giants.

Trey Pipkins, G, LA Chargers, USF
Started and played all 66 offensive snaps for the Chargers in their win over the Saints.

Tip Reiman, TE, Arizona, SF O'Gorman
Started and played 29 snaps but did not record any stats in the Cardinals' win over Miami.

Christian Rozeboom, LB, LA Rams, SDSU
Had six tackles in the Rams' win over the Vikings.

Pierre Strong, RB, Cleveland, SDSU
Had one reception for three yards and returned three kickoffs for 59 yards in the Browns' win over the Ravens.

On injured reserve
Dennis Gardeck, LB, Arizona, USF
Myles Harden, CB, Cleveland, USD

On practice squads
Kameron Cline, DL, Buffalo, USD
Blake Larson, OL, LA Rams, Augsutana/Brandon Valley
Brock Mogensen, LB, Dallas, USD
Isaiah Stalbird, LB, New Orleans, SDSU
Chris Oladokun, QB, KC Chiefs, SDSU

By Matt Zimmer

Matt Zimmer is a Sioux Falls native and longtime sports writer. He graduated from Washington High School where he played football, legion baseball and developed his lifelong love of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. After graduating from St. Cloud State University, he returned to Sioux Falls, and began a long career in amateur baseball and sports reporting. Email Matt at mzimmer@siouxfallslive.com.

South Dakotans in the NFL, Week 8

Tucker Kraft makes noise on tight end day