Jack

Sanborn

Sanborn was a late scratch for Week 8’s game against the Broncos and will now miss at least the team’s next four games. Sandborn was injured in practice prior to last week’s game and has totaled 16 tackles, one TFL, and one pass breakup in the six games he’s appeared in this season. Sandborn will be eligible to return in Week 14 against the Lions.

Sanborn was a late add to the injury report with a groin injury, and with him and Kenneth Murray out the Cowboys will be vulnerable on the second level today. Active for the Cowboys are C Cooper Beebe (ankle) and DE Marshawn Kneeland (ankle), both playing off questionable tags.

Cowboys LG Tyler Smith (knee) is questionable and RG Tyler Booker (ankle) is out. The Cowboys’ offensive line health is beginning to improve, which bodes positively for both Dak Prescott and Javonte Williams. The Panthers’ defensive line is among the league’s weaker units, but the Cowboys face a tougher Commanders squad in Week 7. The Cowboys also ruled out LB Jack Sanborn (concussion). CBs DaRon Bland (shoulder) and Trevon Diggs (knee) are questionable, though both players remained limited in practice all week.

The move reunites Sanborn “with Matt Eberflus and Dave Borgonzi, who coached him for three years in Chicago on his way to 164 tackles, 14 for loss.” Sanborn also contributes as a capable blitzer, notching 15 quarterback pressures via the blitz in three NFL seasons. At just 24 years old, the Cowboys have a potential long-term starter on their hands.

Sanborn never did better than 412 defensive snaps in three seasons with the Bears, but he showed some solid run defense in his largest showing to date in 2023. It’s possible he winds up with former DC Matt Eberflus in Dallas. Still just 24, the former UDFA will probably have a chance to compete for a real role somewhere in free agency.

He was carted off after getting checked in the blue medical tent. It feels unlikely that he’ll be able to get back on the field by the end of the season if this is anything beyond a normal ankle sprain. The UDFA started getting massive playing time after Chicago’s Roquan Smith trade and had 64 tackles and two sacks in six starts. He might be an interesting IDP play next season if the Bears don’t sign anybody.

A Cal product, Tonges recorded 22 catches for 278 yards and two touchdowns in 2021, becoming a starter after playing special teams in his first three years at Cal. He had 47 catches, 620 yards, and four touchdowns during his collegiate career. Tonges has an uphill climb to crack Chicago’s roster this summer. The Bears also signed the following undrafted free agents: Iowa State tight end Chase Allen, Florida tackle Jean Delance, Ohio State running back Master Teague, Purdue linebacker Jaylan Alexander, Louisville linebacker C.J. Avery, Miami defensive back Amari Carter, Minnesota defensive lineman Micah Dew-Treadway, Missouri defensive back Allie Green, Ole Miss defensive back Jaylon Jones, and Wisconsin linebacker Jack Sanborn.

Sanborn (6’2/234) wasted little time making an impact, leading the team in tackles as a sophomore and junior in addition to posting six PBUs and three interceptions as a sophomore. A tenacious run defender, Sanborn earned strong PFF defense grades of 86.4 in 2020 and 89.7 last season, which was the fourth-highest mark in the nation for a linebacker. He also recorded 32 pressures and 10 quarterback hits while keeping the missed tackles to a minimum with just a 10 percent miss rate. He tested well enough, excelling at the three-cone with an 87th percentile 6.96 mark to go with a decent 4.73 forty and 7.36 relative athletic score. Sanborn is at his best when crashing through the line, slipping blocks, and filling gaps with his aggressive, downhill tackling style. His short arms hurt his ability to disengage from blockers and his lack of speed limits his ability to make plays outside the hashes, but Sanborn’s durability, motor, and sure tackling could help him carve out a reserve linebacker role.

Sanborn (6'2/232) injured his finger on a special teams tackle, and said that the trainers had to force Sanborn to the locker room after he refused to go, not realizing the severity of the injury. Sanborn’s finger was dislocated, and also required stitches, but he said he should be good to go next week at Rutgers. Sanborn missed only one drive and returned to make three tackles on his first series back. He has recorded 49 total tackles on the season, including two sacks.

Sanborn (6'2/232) and Hicks (5'10/185) are two of Wisconsin’s best defenders, so getting them back gives the Badgers a welcome boost heading into the offseason. Sanborn led the Badgers in total tackles, tallying 52 on the season, while also accounting for one quarterback sack, one interception and one forced fumble. Hicks was responsible for 13 total tackles and four passes defensed in 2020.