Tracking the ex-Cats in the NFL: 16 on active rosters

Five ex-Wildcats were cut Saturday, when NFL teams had to get down to a 53-player limit, although a couple were later signed to practice squads.

Teams can have eight players on a practice squad.

Not surprisingly, undrafted free agents Louis Holmes (49ers) and Jason Parker (Chiefs), both defensive ends, were waived. Holmes and Parker each had good camps according to reports, and they were signed to their respective team's practice squad after being cut.

Cornerback Wilrey Fontenot, a seventh-round pick in April's draft, was waived by Atlanta. The Arizona Cardinals signed him to their practice squad Monday.

The Cardinals waived veteran defensive lineman Joe Tafoya, who has played six seasons in the NFL. Dallas cut another former UA defensive lineman, Marcus Smith.

That leaves 16 former Wildcats on active NFL rosters.

Three players who were on the bubble survived -- Buffalo DE Copeland Bryan, Miami rookie seventh-round DT Lionel Dotson and Cleveland WR Syndric Steptoe.

 Here is the list of ex-Cats in the NFL (for now):

1. Lance Briggs, LB, Chicago
2. Tedy Bruschi, LB, New England
3. Copeland Bryan, DE, Buffalo
4. Antoine Cason, CB, San Diego
5. Lionel Dotson, DL, Miami
6. Nick Folk, PK, Dallas
7. Chris Henry, RB, Tennessee
8. Michael Johnson, DB, N.Y. Giants
9. Spencer Larsen, LB, Denver
10. Brandon Manumaleuna, TE, San Diego
11. Chris McAlister, CB, Baltimore
12. Edwin Mulitalo, G, Detroit
13. Dennis Northcutt, WR, Jacksonville
14. Antonio Pierce, LB, N.Y. Giants
15. Syndric Steptoe, WR, Cleveland
16. Bobby Wade, WR, Minnesota

Cut

RB Mike Bell (Houston, Aug. 8)
P Josh Miller (Tennessee, Aug. 19)
DE Jason Parker (Kansas City, Aug. 30)
DE Louis Holmes (San Francisco, Aug. 30)
DE Joe Tafoya (Arizona, Aug. 30)
CB Wilrey Fontenot (Atlanta, Aug. 30)
DL Marcus Smith (Dallas, Aug. 30)

Signed to practice squad
CB Wilrey Fontenot (Arizona)
DE Louis Holmes (San Francisco)
DE Jason Parker (Kansas City)