Washington State Football: Update on Cougars alumni in the NFL 11/2018

Every year Washington State football sends a hand full of players to the NFL. The first Thursday of the month, ECS will update how Cougars alumni are doing during the season.

Washington State football has a long tradition of sending players to the NFL. Every first Thursday of the month, Emerald City Swagger will update you on the progress of Cougars alumni playing in the NFL.

Right now there are 11 former Cougars on NFL rosters or practice squads.

Cougars in the NFC

Shalom Luani, strong safety Seattle Seahawks. Luani was traded to the Seahawks from the Oakland Raiders on Sept 1. 2018. He made only one tackle in October and that took place in the last game against the Detroit Lions.

Joe Dahl, guard, Detroit Lions. Dahl only played in two games so far in the season, the most recent was on October 7 against the Green Bay Packers. He has been inactive the last three games.

Cole Madison, guard, Green Bay Packers. Likely not going to play this season because of personal issues. The Packers expect him back for 2019

Hercules Mata’afa, defensive end, Minnesota Vikings. Out for the season with a torn ACL.

Destiny Vaeao, defensive tackle, Philadelphia Eagles. Vaeao started three games this season, making two tackles as well as sacking Eli Manning on national television. He was placed on injured reserve last Saturday. Two days later, he reached an injury settlement with Philly and was waived.

Deone Bucannon, linebacker Arizona Cardinals. His playing time this season has been up and down. He has started in three of the Cardinals eight games all depending on the style of the other team.

He started on October 28 (his only start of the month) in the win over the San Francisco 49ers,18-15. Bucannon started that one because he plays well against the run, which the Niners do often. Bucannon was in on five tackles. It was the Cardinals second win of the season bringing their record to 2-6.

He may not see much action in November, Arizona has a bye coming up and then play Kansas City, Oakland, and Los Angeles Chargers in November. Two of those three are passing teams and what Oakland will do is anyone’s guess. He will be a free agent at the end of the year.

Cougars in the AFC

More from Washington State Cougars

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• Washington State Football: What you need to know for UW 11/23
• Apple Cup: History leading up to the 2018 edition
• PAC-12 Football Power Rankings week of 11/21 – Emerald City Swagger

River Cracraft, wide receiver Denver Broncos. Cracraft continues to be on the Broncos practice squad, he hasn’t seen any action yet this season.

Chris Ivory, running back Buffalo Bills.  The nine-year veteran continues backup LeSean McCoy. Ivory’s biggest game in October was in week seven, a loss to the Indianapolis Colts 37-5, October 21. He carried the ball 16 times for 81 yards along with three catches for 25 yards. It was a tough October for the Bills. They scored only 37 points in four games, winning one.

Daniel Ekuale, defensive lineman Cleveland Browns. Ekuale signed as an undrafted free agent this year. He has been on the practice squad all year and hasn’t played a down yet.

Luke Falk, quarterback, Miami Dolphins. Had been the fourth quarterback on the roster. Placed on injured reserve with a fractured wrist.

Vince Mayle, tight end Los Angeles Chargers. Mayle continues to be on the Chargers practice squad, he hasn’t seen any action yet this season.

Frankie Luvu, outside linebacker New York Jets. Luvu continued in his role as a backup during October. He had four tackles in October and three quarterback hits.

Check back with us on December 6th for the next update