Cowboys in the NFL: Week 1

LARAMIE -- Dennis Allen said Carl Granderson would be counted on to make some noise off the edge this fall.

He's off to a good start.

The former Wyoming defensive tackle registered three tackles and 1.5 sacks in the Saints 16-15 opening-day victory over Tennessee. Granderson, who suited up in Laramie from 2015-18, is coming off a 2022 campaign in which he tallied a career-best 5.5 sacks and 53 total tackles.

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"He's playing the run really well right now," Allen said just before the Saints broke camp in late August. "He's playing really physical. He's always had the ability to kind of rush the passer, that's kind of been a trait of his we've liked."

Granderson, who is in his fifth professional season, signed with New Orleans as an undrafted free agent in 2019 after racking up 173 tackles and 16.5 sacks in a Wyoming uniform. He also brought ball carriers down behind the line of scrimmage 35.5 times during his stint on the high plains.

Here's how the other Cowboys in the NFL fared in Week 1:

Marcus Epps -- Safety -- Las Vegas Raiders

Making his Las Vegas debut, Marcus Epps registered five tackles in a 17-16 victory over the rival Broncos in Denver.

Tashaun Gipson -- Safety -- San Francisco 49ers

Tashaun Gipson kicked off his 12th NFL season with a pair of tackles in a 30-7 rout of the Steelers in Pittsburgh.

Josh Allen -- Quarterback -- Buffalo Bills

It was a rough opener for this former UW gunslinger. Josh Allen was picked off three times and fumbled during the Bills 22-16 overtime loss to the Jets inside MetLife Stadium. Allen, who entered his sixth season under center in Buffalo, completed 29-of-41 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown.

Mike Purcell -- Nose tackle -- Denver Broncos

This Denver native kicked off his eighth NFL season with one tackle in a 17-16 home loss to Las Vegas.

Chad Muma -- Linebacker -- Jacksonville Jaguars

This former Wyoming linebacker didn't record any stats during the Jaguars 31-21 victory in Indianapolis.

Andrew Wingard -- Safety -- Jacksonville Jaguars

Andrew Wingard didn't record any stats during Jacksonville's 31-21 road win over the Colts.

Logan Wilson -- Linebacker -- Cincinnati Bengals

The Casper product tallied eight tackles, including six of the solo variety, during the Bengals 24-3 setback last Sunday in Cleveland.

Players on practice squads: CJ Coldon (Vikings), Xazavian Valladay (Jets), Tyler Hall (Raiders)

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