Utah Football Alumni NFL Recap

The NFL season kicks off on Thursday with the Patriots and Steelers in Foxborough. With final cuts made and 53-man rosters established for all 32 teams, we update the status of Utah alumni in the NFL heading into week one.

Dres Anderson - WR San Francisco 49ers

Dres will have to wait to make his NFL debut, after being placed on IR by San Francisco, keeping him with the team, but ending his season before it had a chance to begin. Anderson sat out some of preseason with a sore knee.

Matt Asiata - RB Minnesota Vikings

Asiata a candidate to be cut in the final roster trim for the Vikings. Asiata made the team however and will backup Adrian Peterson for Minnesota.

Zane Beadles - OL Jacksonville Jaguars

Beadles was in a position battle for the starting LG spot for the Jaguars. Beadles appears to have won that battle for the time being and should be starting for Jacksonville to begin the season.

Tony Bergstrom - OL Oakland Raiders

Bergstrom was playing for his NFL life during the preseason with the possibility of being cut. He survived the roster cuts once again, and is listed as backup center for the Raiders.

Brian Blechen - LB Carolina Panthers

The Panthers waived Blechen on Saturday but have said they hope to resign him to their practice squad.

Sam Brenner - OL Miami Dolphins

Brenner was waived by the Dolphins after spending the past two seasons with Miami.

Kaelin Clay - KR Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Clay was waived by Tampa Bay after a poor preseason performance. He cleared waivers ,however and the Bucs have added him to their practice squad for the 2015 season.

Anthony Denham - TE Houston Texans

Denham was waved by the Texans with an injury designation. He cleared waivers, however and, was put on injured reserve for the Texans for the 2015 season.

Tevita Finau - DE Houston Texans

Houston waived Finau on Saturday. Final had spent the previous three seasons on NY Jets practice squad.

Paul Kruger - OLB Cleveland Browns

Kruger will be the Browns starting outside linebacker to start the season and is a key piece to the Browns potential success.

Joe Kruger - DE Pittsburgh Steelers

Kruger was released by the Steelers after spending two years on their practice squad. He made just two tackles in preseason.

Star Lotuleilei - DT Carolina Panthers

Lotuleilei is a major contributor on the Panthers defensive line. After sitting out much of preseason with a foot injury, head coach Ron Rivera is hopeful he will be available for the season opener.

Brice McCain - CB Miami Dolphins

McCain was in a battle for a starting spot as an outside corner for the Dolphins. It appears Jamar Taylor beat McCain out for the outside position, but McCain will see plenty of time for Miami in the Nickel and slot.

Keith McGill - CB Oakland Raiders

Was kept as one of seven cornerbacks for the Raiders. Contributed last season as a rookie and was in a battle for a starting spot during preseason.

Koa Misi - LB Miami Dolphins

Misi continues to be one of the most consistent players on the Miami Dolphins. After missing three weeks of preseason with injury, Misi returns in time for the start of the regular season.

Jake Murphy - TE Denver Broncos

Murphy was waived by Denver. It was the second time this preseason for Murphy to be released, after Cincinnati released him on August 19th.

Nate Orchard - OLB Cleveland Browns

Orchard will continue his transition from defensive line to linebacker. He begins the season as fellow Utah alum Paul Kruger's backup at ROLB.

Tenny Palepoi - DT San Diego Chargers

Palepoi is out for the season on the reserve-injured list for the Chargers.

Jeremiah Poutasi - OL Tennessee Titans

Poutasi performed well throughout the preseason after being drafted in the third round. Pouts will begin the season as the starting right tackle for the Titans.

Trevor Reilly - OLB New York Jets

Reilly survived the end of season cut down and made the Jets 53-man roster. With Jason Babin being a surprise cut for the Jets, Reilly has a chance to see meaningful playing time this season.

Eric Rowe - CB Philadelphia Eagles

The second rounder began his career with a strong showing in preseason before struggling in the Eagles final two preseason games. He will begin the season as Philadelphia's third corner with a chance to move up the depth chart if he performs well.

Derrick Shelby - DE Miami Dolphins

Shelby made the Dolphins roster and will provide depth along the defensive line. Miami coaches like that he knows his assignments and is steady in his play.

Sealver Siliga - DT New England Patriots

Siliga has earned his spot on the Patriots defensive line as a run stuffing hard nosed tackle. He will help replace the loss of Vince Wilfork on the defensive line.

Alex Smith - QB Kansas City Chiefs

Smith will enter his third season as the Chiefs starting quarterback under Andy Reid. The Chiefs added some help for Smith in the receiving game with Jeremy Maclin on the outside.

Sean Smith - CB Kansas City Chiefs

Smith will sit out the first three games for the Chiefs after getting a DUI in the offseason. Once he returns, he should resume his spot as a starting cornerback for the Chiefs.

Steve Smith Sr. - WR Baltimore Ravens

Smith enters his final NFL season as Joe Flacco's number one target for the Ravens.

Paul Soliai -DT Atlanta Falcons

Will begin the season as a starter for the Atlanta Falcons defensive line after playing for the Miami Dolphins since being drafted into the league in 2007.

RJ Stanford - DB Detroit Lions

Stanford was released by the Lions. He had one tackle and one pass deflection during preseason. Detroit was his fourth team in five years.

Eric Weddle - S San Diego Chargers

A stalwart for San Diego, Eric Weddle will once again begin the season as the starting free safety for the Chargers.