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Purdue in the Pros: Preseason

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While Purdue looks to bounce back in West Lafayette, several former Boilermakers will look to make an impact on Sundays this fall. Some figure to play prominent roles, while others are scratching their way through training camp. Today, GoldandBlack.com looks at how former Purdue players have fared in the preseason and provides a brief outlook on their upcoming year.

DERRICK BARNES – DETROIT LIONS

Barnes enters the season as a second-team linebacker according to the Lions’ most recent unofficial depth chart. He played in three games last season before a knee injury cost him the remainder of the year. Detroit signed him to a three-year, $25.5 million contract extension in March.

DAVID BELL – CLEVELAND BROWNS

Bell began camp on the “active/non-football injury” list, where he remains today. His designation: “hip/undisclosed.” He dislocated his right hip in September, which ended his 2024 season early on. By all accounts, Bell has not practiced yet in the 2025 preseason.

PAYNE DURHAM – TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Durham holds the second team tight end spot on the Buccaneers’ most recent depth chart. He enters his third season in Tampa after seeing an increased workload in year two.

JALEN GRAHAM – SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Also in year three, Graham hopes to hold onto a roster spot in San Francisco. He’s seen action in both preseason games after spending the bulk of his first two NFL seasons on practice squads. Graham currently is listed as the third team WILL linebacker on the 49ers depth chart.

GUS HARTWIG – NEW YORK JETS

Hartwig suffered a knee injury while in Jets training camp and will miss the 2025 season. Subsequently, New York placed him on waivers, and he cleared.

CHARLIE JONES – CINCINNATI BENGALS

“Chuck Sizzle” has seen limited action in a crowded Bengals wide receiver room through two seasons, but he’s spent time serving as the primary return man. He caught a touchdown pass during time with the first team offense in the most recent preseason game, and he’s currently listed on the second team on the depth chart.

SANOUSSI KANE – BALTIMORE RAVENS

Kane carved out a nice special teams role during his rookie season in Baltimore, but he saw limited action at safety. Currently, he’s listed as the second team strong safety and projects to continue playing a high volume of special teams snaps.

GEORGE KARLAFTIS – KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

After playing in his third Super Bowl in as many years, Karlaftis inked a massive four-year, $93 million extension with the Chiefs. He finished in the league’s top five in pressure rate last season, and Kansas City will count on him as a starting defensive end once again this season.

MARCUS MBOW – NEW YORK GIANTS

The rookie tackle has turned heads early in New York. After falling to the fifth round of the draft, he appears as the second team right tackle on the depth chart. Through two games, he’s allowed just one pressure in 64 snaps between the tackle spots.

RONDALE MOORE – MINNESOTA VIKINGS

For the second consecutive year, a preseason injury will cost Moore his season. In 2024, a dislocated right knee was the culprit. This year, he’s undergone left knee surgery after an early training camp injury.

RAHEEM MOSTERT – LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

Purdue’s longest-tenured pro, Mostert is in a position battle for the number two tailback spot in Sin City behind high draft pick Ashton Jeanty. This will be the speedster’s 11th NFL season following a six-year run in San Francisco and a three-year run in Miami.

AIDAN O’CONNELL – LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

O’Connell, entering his third NFL season, holds the backup quarterback spot behind Geno Smith. He’s yet to begin the season as the QB1, but he’s made starts in both seasons.

COREY STEWART – LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

The former Ball State transfer signed with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent, but he’s already moved up to the second team on the latest depth chart. As the preseason winds down, he’ll look to secure a spot on the 53-man roster.

REESE TAYLOR – DENVER BRONCOS

After spending his first two NFL seasons on the practice squad, Taylor has been limited in training camp due to a hamstring injury. He’s not yet returned to full contact, but he appears to be nearing that point as the regular season nears.

TYRONE TRACY JR. – NEW YORK GIANTS

Tracy burst onto the scene with 839 yards as a rookie in 2024, and he currently holds the top running back spot on New York’s depth chart as the regular season nears. He’ll look to build off his rookie season success in year two.

CORY TRICE JR. – PITTSBURGH STEELERS

A knee injury in training camp ended Trice’s rookie season before it began in 2023. In 2024, he saw six games of action after missing several weeks in the middle of the season with an injury. Now fully healthy, he projects as a second team corner and special teams contributor should he land a spot on the 53-man roster.

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