Aug. 23, 2015
"Five" was the most meaningful number among the 11 San Jose State players currently on a National Football League roster during the league's preseason Week #2.
Two former Spartans were among their team's top players, two preseason debuts and a reliable pass catcher formed five San Jose State University football players at the forefront of their respective teams.
Playing extensively in his return to the Bay Area, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Keith Smith did everything he could on defense and special teams. Smith, the 2013 NCAA leader in total tackles, was credited with a team-high five tackles including a pair of tackles for loss on third-down plays that forced the victorious San Francisco 49ers into a pair of punting situations. Now in his second season with the Cowboys, Smith also played on the kickoff return and punt coverage units for Dallas, a 23-6 loser to San Francisco.
Defensive tackle Travis Raciti also was in on five stops in Philadelphia's 40-17 win over Baltimore. Raciti had a quarterback sack and was credited with a quarterback hurry in the most on-sided game on the scoreboard in Week #2 preseason games through August 23.
New York Giants wide receiver James Jones pulled down five passes in a 22-12 win over Jacksonville. All of Jones receptions resulted in a first down. Three of his team-leading five catches came on scoring drives.
Offensive lineman David Quessenberry of the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears quarterback David Fales each made their first appearance of the season in reserve roles. Fales completed 1-of-2 passes for 5 yards. Quessenberry, who was diagnosed with lymphoma in June 2014, saw his first NFL action since the 2013 preseason in the Texans' 14-10 loss to Denver.
Defensive backs Dwight Lowery for Indianapolis, Bene Benwikere for Carolina and Duke Ihenacho for Washington were starters for their respective teams. Ihenacho in Washington's 21-17 win and Lowery in Indianapolis' 23-11 loss to Chicago each made three tackles.
Detroit Lions cornerback Christopher Owens and Atlanta Falcons safety Akeem King saw action for their teams. Defensive back Peyton Thompson of the Jacksonville Jaguars was the only former San Jose State football player in the NFL that did not play in week #2.
Teams must trim their rosters from 90 to 75 players on September 1 by 1:00 p.m. (PT). The cut to the 53-man roster for the start of the regular season must be completed on September 5 by 1:00 p.m. (PT).
| NFL Preseason Week #3 | |
| Aug. 28 | New England at Carolina (Bené Benwikere) |
| Aug. 28 | Detroit (Christopher Owens) at Jacksonville (Peyton Thompson) |
| Aug. 29 | New York Jets at New York Giants (James Jones) |
| Aug. 29 | Minnesota at Dallas (Keith Smith) |
| Aug. 29 | Atlanta (Akeem King) at Miami |
| Aug. 29 | Washington (Duke Ihenacho) at Baltimore |
| Aug. 29 | Chicago (David Fales) at Cincinnati |
| Aug. 29 | Philadelphia (Travis Raciti) at Green Bay |
| Aug. 29 | Indianapolis (Dwight Lowery) at St. Louis |
| Aug. 30 | Houston (David Quessenberry) at New Orleans |