Wyoming Cowboys in the NFL: Preseason Week 3

LARAMIE -- It's approaching D-Day in the NFL.

All 32 franchises are in the midst of cutting down rosters from 90 players to reach the 53-man limit. Some will land on practice squads, some will hit the unemployment line. That's a reality of the business.

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Wyoming had 18 alums in the league last week.

That number now sits at 16 with the Tuesday deadline approaching.

Defensive tackle Mike Purcell was let go by the New England Patriots and wide receiver Ayir Asante is no longer a member of the New York Giants, according to CBSSports.com.

Purcell finished with two tackles this preseason after being signed by New England this summer. The eight-year veteran has been in this position before. He has inked deals with seven NFL franchises in his career.

Purcell, a native of Highlands Ranch, Colo., suited up for Wyoming from 2009-12, tallying 123 tackles, including 15 for loss.

Asante, after spending one season in Laramie, was signed as an undrafted free agent last spring. He caught just one pass this preseason and returned a kick 29 yards. The New Jersey native hauled in 20 passes for 346 yards and six touchdowns for the Pokes last fall. He spent the previous four seasons at Holy Cross.

Jacksonville safety Andrew Wingard is expected to miss the first few regular-season games with an injury. New running mate Tashaun Gipson will also miss the first six Jaguars games, serving a suspension after testing positive for violating the league's performance enhancing substances policy.

Tyler Hall, a cornerback on the Eagles roster, was recently placed on injured reserve. It's not clear when he will return to action.

Saints edge rusher Carl Granderson didn't suit up for the final preseason contest. Neither did Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen, Cincinnati linebacker Logan Wilson or Raiders safety Marcus Epps.

The Pokes in the pros have been busy. Check out the stats these guys have racked up so far:

Andrew Peasley - QB - New York Jets

Andrew Peasley capped his preseason completing 5-of-11 passes for 75 yards Saturday in a 10-6 victory over the Giants. The Oregon product was under center for six scoreless second-half drives. Peasley connected on 20-of-33 throws during his three games this August. He finished with 181 yards passing and a touchdown. He also added 24 rushing yards.

Xazavian Valladay - RB - New York Jets

Wyoming's second-leading rusher in school history had his best day of the preseasons, rushing for a modest 28 yards on 14 carries Saturday in the Jets 10-6 win against the Giants. Xazavian Valladay was the team's leading receiver, though, hauling in six passes for 62 yards. Valladay spent the 2023 season on the Jets' practice squad.

Solomon Byrd - DE - Houston Texans

Solomon Byrd, a seventh-round draft selection of the Houston Texans, registered two tackles in Saturday's 17-15 win over the visiting Rams. Byrd, who spent his first four collegiate seasons at Wyoming before transferring to USC, also tallied a strip-sack in last week's win over the Giants.

Chad Muma - LB - Jacksonville Jaguars

A week after racking up four tackles in a win over Tampa Bay, Jaguars middle linebacker Chad Muma tallied three more in Friday night's 31-0 blanking of the Atlanta Falcons. The Lone Tree, Colo., product caps his preseason with nine tackles, including eight solo stops.

Frank Crum - RT - Denver Broncos

The 6-foot-7, 315-pound undrafted free agent helped lead the Broncos to a 38-12 victory over visiting Arizona Sunday afternoon in the Mile High City. Denver rushed for 119 yards on 29 attempts in the win, the team's third of the preseason. Zach Wilson was sacked four times in the game. One was credited to Frank Crum.

Treyton Welch - TE - Cleveland Browns

A week after snagging his first two career passes, Treyton Welch tied for a team high with five catches Sunday in the Browns 37-33 loss to Seahawks. Wyoming's former tight end finished with 27 yards receiving, including a long of 13.

Easton Gibbs - LB - Seattle Seahawks

Easton Gibbs didn't register any stats Sunday in the 37-33 victory over Cleveland. He caps his wild preseason, which included being cut by Seattle, signed by Pittsburgh and again inked by the Seahawks, with three tackles.

Jacob Hollister - TE - Carolina Panthers

One of Josh Allen's former favorite targets, Jacob Hollister, hauled in two passes for 14 yards Saturday in a 31-26 victory at Buffalo. Hollister finished the preseason with four catches for 27 yards.

Azizi Hearn - CB - New England Patriots

Azizi Hearn tallied four tackles out of the Patriots secondary in a 20-10 loss to Washington. The former Wyoming cornerback, who spent his last collegiate season at UCLA, capped his preseason with eight tackles and a pass breakup.

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* Wyoming Cowboys in the NFL: Preseason Week 2

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