Cougars in the NFL: Week 0

HOUSTON – Fifteen Houston Football greats are in line to begin the 2025 NFL season this weekend. Ten are slated to play as active members of 53-man rosters while three are on practice squads and two have an injury designation that will prevent them from playing.

KYLE ALLEN | DETROIT LIONS | SUNDAY AT GREEN BAY

Allen is starting his eighth NFL season in 2025 as the backup to Jared Goff in the Motor City. He signed a one-year deal with the Lions after spending last season in Pittsburgh.
In his career, he's completed 442 passes for 4,753 yards and 26 touchdowns. Allen has spent time with Carolina (2018-19), who signed him as an undrafted free agent, Washington (2020-21), Houston (2022), Buffalo (2023) and Pittsburgh (2024).

KEITH COOPER | DETROIT LIONS | PRACTICE SQUAD

A Second-Team All-Big 12 honoree in 2024, Cooper joined the Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2025 before joining Detroit's practice squad.
In his one season in Houston, Cooper posted 46 tackles with nine TFLs and 3.5 sacks.

TANK DELL | HOUSTON TEXANS | PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO PERFORM

The 69^th overall pick in the 2023 draft, Dell has spent both of his NFL season with the Texans. He starts the 2025 campaign on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform List after suffering a knee injury against Kansas City last season.
KPRC reported that Dell might be in line to miss the entire 2025 season as he continues to recover from his injury.

ART GREEN | NEW YORK GIANTS | SUNDAY AT WASHINGTON

Green enters his third season in the NFL on a one-year deal with the New York Giants, spending his second year with the team after a year with Denver.
After starting last season on the Giant's practice squad, he was elevated on Sept. 21, 2024 before making the full-time jump on Nov. 6, 2024. In nine games, he forced a fumble while tallying seven tackles.

LOGAN HALL | TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | SUNDAY AT ATLANTA

Playing with the Cougars from 2018-2021, Hall remains with the Buccaneers for the 2025 season after the team drafted him in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
In his three years in Tampa Bay, Hall has played in 49 games while making 23 starts, all of which have come in the last two seasons. He's posted 62 tackles, including 13 for a loss and 8.5 sacks, along with three fumble recoveries and three passes defended.
ESPN projects Hall to be Tampa Bay's starting right defensive end. He's currently in the final season of his rookie contract.

JOSH JONES | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | SUNDAY VS. SAN FRANCISCO

Jones signed a one-year deal with the Seahawks on March 10 after spending 2024 with Baltimore. He's also played for Houston (2023) and Arizona (2020-22). The Cardinals drafted him in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Last year, he played in 16 games with the Ravens as depth on offensive line. He's seen action in 76 games in his professional career including 24 starts.

MARCUS JONES | NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | SUNDAY VS. LAS VEGAS

Jones continues his career with the Patriots in 2025 after a strong return to the field in 2024, missing most of the 2023 season with a torn labrum. An All-Pro selection in his rookie season, Jones has seen action in 31 games while making 14 starts, including 14 games and nine starts last year.
One of the Patriots' most dynamic players, he has made an impact in all three phases of the game – offense, defense and special teams. In 2024, he caught an interception while making 58 tackles.
Jones is currently in the last season of a four-year deal with New England and was named a captain for the Patriots this year.

CASE KEENUM | CHICAGO BEARS | MONDAY VS. MINNESOTA

Spending 12 years in the league with seven teams, Keenum makes it eight teams this year as he joined the Chicago Bears on a one-year deal.
Keenum missed the 2024 season with an injury and is looking to get back on the field in 2025.

ED OLIVER | BUFFALO BILLS | SUNDAY VS. BALTIMORE

Oliver continues his career with the Bills, entering his seventh year in Buffalo in 2025 as ESPN's projected starting left defensive tackle. Last season, he started 14 games for the Bills and tallied 29 tackles to bring his overall totals to 92 games and 231 tackles while also adding 49 TFLs and 27.0 sacks.
Oliver is currently on a four-year, $68 million contract.

GERVARRIUS OWENS | CHICAGO BEARS | PRACTICE SQUAD

A seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Owens has spent time with the New York Giants as well as the Tennessee Titans during his two seasons in the league. He joined the Vikings during preseason camp before signing with Chicago's practice squad.
In total, Owens has played 41 snaps across five NFL games, tallying one tackle and one fumble recovery.

PATRICK PAUL | MIAMI DOLPHINS | SUNDAY AT INDIANAPOLIS

Paul is currently in the second year of a four-year, $6.9 million contract with Miami. ESPN projects him to be the Dolphin's starting left tackle this season.
As a rookie last season, he played 337 snaps across 17 games, including three starts. Overall, he played 30 percent of Miami's offensive snaps with an additional 71 plays on special teams.

ELANDON ROBERTS | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | SUNDAY AT NEW ENGLAND

Roberts is on a one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, his fourth team in his 10-year NFL career.
Last season, he played in all 17 of the Steelers contests while making 14 starts, forcing one fumble and tallying 46 tackles. Overall, across 140 career games, he has 604 stops, including 54 TFLs and 14.5 sacks, as well as 12 passes defended and one interception which he returned for a touchdown.

GRANT STUARD | DETROIT LIONS | SUNDAY AT GREEN BAY

Stuard signed a one-year contract and was named a captain with the Lions after his four-year rookie deal expired after the 2024 season. He spent his first year in the league with the Buccaneers before being traded to the Colts for the 2022 season.
"Mr. Irrelevant" in the 2021 draft, he has participated in 66 games (five starts), recording 73 total tackles, two tackles for loss and one forced fumble.

CLAYTON TUNE | GREEN BAY PACKERS | PRACTICE SQUAD

Tune signed to Green Bay's practice squad after spending his first two seasons in the NFL with Arizona. The Cardinals drafted him in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
He played in 13 games for Arizona, including a start in 2023, recording a 14-for-23 (.609) passing mark for 70 yards.

PAYTON TURNER | DALLAS COWBOYS | INJURED RESERVE

Turner starts the year on the injured reserve for Dallas, who he signed a one-year contract with following the completion of his four-year rookie deal with the Saints. Destined to miss at least the first four games, he's been given the designated-to-return tag after hurting his ribs during the preseason.
With the Saints, he's played in 31 games while accumulating four passes defended, two forced fumbles, 5.0 sacks and 50 tackles.

TWO-GAME MINI PLAN
Want some flexibility? Buy a two-game mini-plan which includes the Colorado game and one game of your choice between Arizona, West Virginia or TCU. Mini plans start at just $85. To purchase a mini-plan, click here.

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by purchasing season tickets, providing NIL opportunities and by joining The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.

–– UHCougars.com ––

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

Cougars in the NFL: Week 0

Related Videos