Cowboys in the NFL: Week 9

LARAMIE – Currently, 10 former Wyoming Cowboys are on active NFL rosters.

Each week, we’ll look at how these former Pokes are producing in the pros.

JACOB HOLLISTER – Seattle Seahawks
One week you're catching your first NFL touchdown, the next you are on your teammates shoulders celebrating. That has been the two-week story of Jacob Hollister, the former Wyoming tight end who was on the Seattle practice squad until mid-October. Hollister snagged a 10-yard game-winning touchdown pass Sunday to lift the Seahawks over Tampa Bay, 40-34. It was his second touchdown grab of the game from Russell Wilson. Hollister caught four passes for 37 yards on the afternoon.

MIKE PURCELL — Denver Broncos
All this former Wyoming Cowboy does is make plays. Mike Purcell was at it again Sunday, stuffing the Cleveland Browns a pair of times in a 24-19 win in Denver. Purcell now has 15 tackles, including three for loss, since being reinserted into the Broncos lineup back in Week 5. Denver currently has the fourth-ranked defense in the NFL.

TASHAUN GIPSON – Houston Texans
Houston's free safety was back in action during the Texas 26-3 rout of the Jaguars Sunday in London, but Tashaun Gipson didn't record any stats. The former Wyoming standout missed last week's game against Oakland with a back injury. Gipson has 25 tackles and two interceptions during his first nine games in Houston.

ANDREW WINGARD – Jacksonville Jaguars
Another former Wyoming safety played in the game across the pond. Andrew Wingard, like Gipson, failed to record any stats in Jacksonville's lopsided loss. Wingard has eight tackles and a forced fumble through his first nine NFL games.

CHASE ROULLIER – Washington Redskins
The Redskins are off to a bad start this season. Like, a 1-8 start. That's certainly not Chase Roullier's fault. The former Wyoming Cowboy and current Washington center blocked for first-time starter, Dwayne Haskins. Let's just say the other quarterback across the field was a little bit better Sunday. We'll get to him in a minute. Washington lost in Buffalo, 24-9, though the 'Skins did rush for 127 yards. Haskins was sacked four times on the afternoon.

JOSH ALLEN — Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen has a nice bounce-back game this week, torching the Redskins for 160 yards and a touchdown on 14-of-20 passing in a 24-9 win in Orchard Park. Allen also rushed the ball eight times and scored a touchdown on the ground. The Bills are now 6-2 overall -- like Wyoming -- making it their best start since 1993. Allen has now passed for 1,653 yards and 10 touchdowns.

MARK NZEOCHA – San Francisco 49ers
Kwon Alexander is out for the season. Does that mean Mark Nzeocha will finally get a chance to shine for the undefeated 49ers? We'll see. The former Wyoming linebacker didn't record any stats in Thursday night's 28-25 win over the Cardinals, but that could be changing very soon. Nzeocha has four tackles and an interception this season. He has also blocked a punt.

MARCUS EPPS – Minnesota Vikings
Former Wyoming safety, Marcus Epps, didn’t record any stats in the Vikings 26-23 road loss to the Chiefs Sunday afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium. Epps has been a mainstay on Minnesota’s special team’s unit this season and has one tackle.

BRIAN HILL — Atlanta Falcons
Brian Hill and the Atlanta Falcons were on a bye this week.

CARL GRANDERSON – New Orleans Saints
Carl Granderson and the New Orleans Saints were on a bye this week.