After sitting out the Vikings' first four games with an injury, former Augustana star CJ Ham returned to action on Sunday in Minnesota's 21-17 win over the Browns in London.
The two-time Pro Bowler hadn't missed a game since 2020, but with the protection issues the Vikings have had in the early going this season, the return of their unsung fullback was surely a welcome development.
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Now in his 10th year with the Vikings, Ham has made his mark as a lead blocker and special teams ace. He's caught 82 passes for 670 yards and rushed for 114 yards in his career, scoring six touchdowns and notching 46 tackles on special teams.
NFL: Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham (30) warms up before the game on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Brad Rempel / USA Today Sports
Here's how Ham and rest of South Dakota's NFL alumni fared in Week 5.
Jack Cochrane, LB, Chiefs (USD)
Had one tackle in the Chiefs' Monday night loss to the Jaguars.
Isaiah Davis, RB, Jets (SDSU)
Had three catches for 28 yards and one carry for five yards in the Jets' loss to the Cowboys.
CJ Ham, RB, Vikings (Augustana)
Returned to the lineup from injury and played 12 offensive snaps and 19 on special teams in the Vikings' win over Cleveland.
Myles Harden, CB, Browns (USD)
Had five tackles in the Browns' loss to the Vikings in London.
Dennis Gardeck, LB, Jaguars (USF)
Had two tackles in the Jags' Monday night win over Kansas City.
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Dallas Goedert, TE, Eagles (Britton-Hecla/SDSU)
Had three catches for 19 yards and a touchdown in the Eagles' loss to the Broncos, his third straight game with a touchdown.
Tucker Kraft, TE, Packers (Timber Lake/SDSU)
The Packers were idle.
Mason McCormick, G, Steelers (SF Roosevelt/SDSU)
The Steelers were idle.
Trey Pipkins, OL, Chargers (USF)
Started and played 25 snaps before leaving with an injury in the Chargers' loss to the Commanders.
Tip Reiman, TE, Cardinals (SF O'Gorman)
Started and played 25 offensive snaps but did not record any statistics in the Cards' loss to Tennessee.
Christian Rozeboom, LB, Panthers (SDSU)
Had nine tackles in the Panthers' win over Miami.
Isaiah Stalbird, LB, Saints (SDSU)
Played 15 snaps on special teams and notched a tackle in the Saints' win over the Giants.
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Grey Zabel, G, Seahawks (Pierre)
Started at guard and played all 61 offensive snaps in the Seahawks' loss to the Bucs.
On practice squads:
Nash Hutmacher, DL, Bucs, Oacoma (Chamberlain HS)
Amar Johnson, RB, Chargers, SDSU
Chris Oladokun, QB, Chiefs, SDSU
Mike Reid, DB, Panthers, USD
Dalys Beanum, CB, Saints, SDSU
Pierre Strong, RB, Packers, SDSU
Matt Zimmer
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.