2026 Minnesota Golden Gophers in the NFL: Week 4
The 2026 NFL season has already seen former Minnesota Golden Gophers make an impact across multiple teams, with standout defensive performances leading the way. Boye Mafe continued his dominance for the Cincinnati Bengals, recording five tackles—including two solo and three for loss—alongside a sack of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in a hard-fought 22-17 home loss.
Meanwhile, Justin Walley delivered a career-high effort for the Indianapolis Colts, logging 49 defensive snaps and securing eight tackles, five of them solo, plus his first NFL sack on a blitz against former teammate Athan Kaliakmanis. Jack Gibbons also shone for the Arizona Cardinals, leading the defense with eight tackles and drawing heavy attention from Giants passers, while Rashod Bateman’s role with the Baltimore Ravens was significantly reduced following the return of other wideouts, limiting him to just 30 offensive snaps and two catches for 46 yards.
Injuries have also begun to disrupt the Golden Gophers’ roster, with several key players sidelined or questionable heading into Week 5 as teams prepare for high-stakes matchups, including the Bengals’ trip to Miami and the Colts’ clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers in London.
