Cougars in the NFL Presented by Bud Light: Week 0

HOUSTON – Ten Cougar Football legends start the year on active rosters with an additional two on practice squads and two on the injured reserve as the NFL season kicks off on Wednesday night.

CARLOS ALLEN | ATLANTA FALCONS | PRACTICE SQUAD

Allen spent the entirety of preseason camp with Atlanta before being shifted to the practice squad as part of final preseason roster moves.
Allen posted six tackles during his first preseason.

KYLE ALLEN | BUFFALO BILLS | SUNDAY AT TEXANS

Allen signed a two-year contract will the Bills after spending the 2025 season with Detroit. The deal is a reunion for the former Cougar, having previously played for Buffalo in 2023.
The signal-caller is entering his ninth year in the league with six different teams.

DEAN CONNORS | LOS ANGELES RAMS | PRACTICE SQUAD

Connors was added to the Rams' practice squad during final preseason roster moves.
The first-year running back shined during camp, gaining 96 rushing yards while adding 53 receiving yards and three touchdown receptions.

KEITH COOPER | MIAMI DOLPHINS | SUNDAY AT LAS VEGAS

Cooper signed a two-year deal with Miami after splitting his rookie season with the Lions and Browns.
The defensive lineman made his pro debut in Week 16 last season and looks to have an increased role in 2026.
Cooper joins another Cougar legend, Patrick Paul, on the Dolphins.

TANK DELL | HOUSTON TEXANS | INJURED RESERVE

Dell enters the year on the injured reserve as he continues to recover from the knee injury he suffered in 2024, but he has been given the designated-to-return tag.
Texan's GM Nick Caserio indicated that Dell is close but is not quite ready to return for the opening weeks of the season.

LOGAN HALL | HOUSTON TEXANS | SUNDAY VS. BUFFALO

Hall is entering his fifth year in the NFL and joined the Texans during the offseason on a two-year contract.
The defensive end enters the year with 101 tackles after posting a career-high 39 stops last year.

JOSH JONES | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | WEDNESDAY VS. NEW ENGLAND

Jones resigned with Seattle on a one-year contract after he won the Super Bowl with the team last season.
The offensive lineman is entering his seventh year in the NFL having played in 90 games to date.

MARCUS JONES | NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | WEDNESDAY AT SEATTLE

The 2025 Second-Team All-Pro selection returns to New England for his second year of a four-year deal after nearly winning the Super Bowl last season.
Jones had a career year last season, posting 65 tackles, including eight TFLs and two sacks, along with three fumble recoveries, 11 passes defended and three interceptions, all new career-highs.

CASE KEENUM | CHICAGO BEARS | SUNDAY AT CAROLINA

The NFL journeyman starts his 12^th year in the league and second with the Bears.
Keenum last appeared in a game in 2023 but has been a key part of teams, aiding Chicago to the NFC North Division Championship last year.

TANNER KOZIOL | JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | SUNDAY VS. CLEVELAND

The fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft gets his start with Jacksonville, making the roster after shining during training camp.
Koziol is on a four-year rookie deal and is slated to be the team's third-string tight end.

ED OLIVER | BUFFALO BILLS | SUNDAY AT HOUSTON

Oliver is looking to bounce back after an injury-plagued 2025 campaign as he enters his eighth season in the NFL, spending his entire career with the Bills.
The 2019 draftee begins the year just shy of 250 career tackles while adding 56 TFLs and 30.0 sacks.

PATRICK PAUL | MIAMI DOLPHINS | SUNDAY AT LAS VEGAS

Paul starts his third year in the league after earning a starting spot on Miami's offensive line last season.
Paul was Miami's second-best lineman with at least 500 snaps played last year, earning a 69.5 offense grade from Pro Football Focus.

GRANT STUARD | LOS ANGELES RAMS | THURSDAY VS. SAN FRANCISCO

Stuard joined the Rams during the offseason after spending last season with Detroit. The current campaign will be his sixth in the league.
The linebacker sits eight tackles shy of 100 in his career while also amassing three TFLs and a forced fumble.

PAYTON TURNER | DETROIT LIONS | INJURED RESERVE

After joining the Lions during the offseason, Turner was placed on the season-ending injured reserve by Detroit after training camp.

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