The Seattle Seahawks picked up a critical victory on Thursday Night Football, defeating their division rival Arizona Cardinals 23-20 on a last-second field goal in Week 4. Among the standout performers was tight end AJ Barner. Barner continues to string together impressive performances.
Barner recorded three receptions for 32 receiving yards and a touchdown. The former Michigan standout scored the Seahawks’ opening touchdown on Thursday. Facing a 1st-and-10 from Arizona’s 16-yard line, Barner beat Cardinals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither to the end zone on a delayed release.
It marked Barner’s second touchdown catch of the season. He scored on a seven-yard grab versus the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2. Barmer is emerging as a legitimate threat in Klint Kubiak’s offense.
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Barner’s touchdown on Thursday wasn’t his lone notable reception. On Seattle’s opening possession of the third quarter, he converted a 3rd-and-1 from his own 43-yard line by registering a seven-yard catch. Two plays later, a six-yard Barner reception set the Seahawks up in 3rd-and-short, and they eventually converted the drive to three crucial points.
Seahawks GM John Schneider took a risk when he released veteran TE Noah Fant earlier this offseason. Barner, and the ongoing emergence of rookie Elijah Arroyo, is proving Fant was expendable. Barner is contributing to a high-flying Seahawks offense right now.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Seahawks TE AJ Barner keeps stringing together performances