Canadians in the NFL: Chargers' Leonard recovers fumble in OT thriller

Twenty-two-year-old Los Angeles Chargers rookie Deane Leonard had one of the top performances among Canadians in the NFL in Week 6. The former Calgary Dino recovered a fumbled punt in overtime which set up the game-winning field goal as the Chargers downed the Denver Broncos 19-16. 

Chargers recover the fumble! #BoltUp

📺: #DENvsLAC on ESPN
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/mKmqBgUsbz pic.twitter.com/qiT2odU7cY

— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2022

The 24-year-old Abbotsford, BC, native hauled in his first touchdown of the season along with 96 yards in the Pittsburgh Steelers' 20-18 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

7 REC | 96 YDS | 1 TD@ChaseClaypool's best game of the season propelled the @steelers past the Bucs! pic.twitter.com/kAfAdW7OcD

— NFL (@NFL) October 17, 2022

Palmer, a native of Brampton, Ont., recorded nine receptions for 57 yards in the Los Angeles Chargers'19-16 win over the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football. 

The Miami Dolphins safety and Coquitlam, BC, native recorded five tackles and returned two punts for four yards in the Miami Dolphins' 16-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. 

Onyemata, 23, logged 35 snaps on defence and four snaps on special teams in the New Orleans Saints' 26-30 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. 

The Edmonton, Alta., native gathered four yards on two carries along with a reception for one yard in the Carolina Panthers' 10-24 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Gallimore, a native of Ottawa, Ont., recorded three tackles in the Dallas Cowboys' 17-26 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. 

The 25-year-old from Montreal, Que., had a pair of tackles, including the game-saving one against Chicago Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney in the Washington Commanders' win over the Bears. 

This close. #WASvsCHI pic.twitter.com/S5OL385R11

— NFL (@NFL) October 14, 2022

Luketa, an Ottawa-born linebacker, got his first taste of the NFL, seeing four snaps on defence and five on special teams in the Arizona Cardinals' 9-19 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. 

Metchie III, 22, announced before the start of the season that he has been diagnosed with leukemia and will miss the 2022 season. The Alabama product was born in Taiwan and later moved to Brampton, Ont. He played three seasons with the Crimson Tide (2019-21), recording 2,081 yards and 14 touchdowns. He became the first receiver to win the Jon Cornish Trophy as the top Canadian in NCAA football during the 2020 season and won the College Football Playoff National Championship. In the following 2021 season, Metchie III again the recipient of the Jon Cornish trophy, joining BC Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke as the only two-time winners.

Covington, 28, was made inactive in the Los Angeles Chargers' win over the Denver Broncos. 

The 24-year-old from Ottawa, Ont., recorded his first NFL tackle in the Minnesota Vikings' 25-16 win over the Miami Dolphins. 

Luiji Vilain’s first regular-season tackle! 💪@VikingsCanada | #SKOL pic.twitter.com/TZFDVq8zfw

— NFL Canada (@NFLCanada) October 16, 2022