Tigers in the NFL: Which Former Missouri Stars Will Take the Field in the Wild-Card Round?

Take a look at which former Tiger greats will suit up in the first round of the NFL Playoffs this weekend.

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The 2023 NFL regular season has come to a close, and the playoff field is officially set. 

Across the 14 teams competing in this year's playoffs, former Missouri Tigers feature on six different rosters. 

Here is a rundown of where each Missouri legend will be this wild-card weekend. 

Saturday's Games

Browns at Texans, 3:30 p.m. CT

In the opening matchup of the 2023 NFL Playoffs, the Cleveland Browns will feature two former Tigers on the defensive side of the ball: Jordan Elliott and Isaiah McGuire.

Elliott, a 4-star in the 2016 recruiting class, was a third round pick to the Browns in 2020 after a strong career with Missouri. He has appeared in all games but two this season, and has been a rotational piece on one of the NFL's strongest defensive fronts.

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McGuire, a fourth-round pick in 2023, enters the playoffs in his first season in the NFL. While he has only appeared in two games this year for Cleveland, the rookie did record his first sack in Week 18 against the Bengals. 

Dolphins at Chiefs, 7 p.m.

Like the Browns, the Kansas City Chiefs also feature two former Missouri stars: quarterback Blaine Gabbert and linebacker Nick Bolton.

Gabbert, who put together a stellar career in black and gold from 2008 to 2010, is the backup signal caller to Patrick Mahomes. Drafted tenth overall in 2011 to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Gabbert struggled to find success as a starter, but has found his role in the NFL as a backup QB. 

Bolton was a second-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft by Kansas City, and has since become a regular contributor to one of the league's top teams. In just three seasons, the former 3-star from Frisco, Texas has 352 tackles, 21.0 TFL's and three interceptions. 

Sunday's Games

Steelers at Bills, 12 p.m.

Both teams will feature just a single former Missouri Tiger on the roster. Mitch Morse will line up at center for the Bills, and Markus Golden will take the field for the Steelers defense. 

Morse, who was drafted in 2015, has been a staple of the Bills offensive line since his arrival. He helps clear the way for one of the NFL's most impressive rushing attacks, and allowed just a single sack this season. 

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Golden, also drafted in 2015, has spent time with three teams, but joined the Steelers ahead of the 2023 season. In his first year in Pittsburgh, the 10-year veteran has seen time in 16 games and has 20 tackles, 6.0 TFL's and a fumble recovery. 

Rams at Lions, 7 p.m.

Only the Lions will feature a former Missouri Tiger in this matchup. Defensive end Charles Harris, who was a first round pick in 2017 to the Miami Dolphins, has played a large role for the Detroit defense since joining in 2021. In three seasons, the Missouri native has 92 tackles, including 14 for a m and three forced fumbles. 

Monday's Games

Eagles at Buccaneers, 7 p.m. 

In the final game of the weekend, just a single Missouri player will take the field. 

Albert Okwuegbunam is a backup tight end for the Eagles, and has appeared in just four games this season after dealing with injuries throughout the year. 

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Originally drafted in the fourth round by the Broncos in 2020, Okwuegbunam dealt with injury in Denver as well, failing to put together a fully healthy season. In his best year, 2021, the former 3-star hauled in 33 receptions for 330 yards and two touchdowns. 

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