This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Wrapping up how Utah's players on active NFL rosters performed in Week Three:
Minnesota running back Matt Asiata • Getting his second consecutive start in place of the beleaguered Adrian Peterson, Asiata again made his biggest impact catching passes out of the backfield in a 20-9 loss to the Saints. He caught three passes for 36 yards, with a long of 41, but he rushed just 12 time for 35 yards, and has 81 yards on 27 carries for the season. ESPN wrote about the Vikings' running game woes, as did the Twin Cities Pioneer Press.
Jacksonville offensive lineman Zane Beadles • Beadles and the Jaguars have their work cut out for them this season, and they were trounced again — this time by Indianapolis, 44-17 — to fall to 0-3. But Beadles told the Florida Times-Union after the game that he's excited for the start of the Blake Bortles era.
Oakland guard Tony Bergstrom • Bergstrom was ruled inactive for the Raiders' 16-9 loss to the Patriots. He has played just 113 snaps in 36 NFL games, according to Associated Press reporter Josh Dubow.
Cleveland outside linebacker Paul Kruger • Kruger's former team got the better of him in Cleveland, winning 23-21 and holding Kruger sackless for the first time this season. He did record three tackles and a quarterback hit that, according to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, led to an interception from safety Tashaun Gipson.
Carolina defensive tackle Star Lotulelei • Lotulelei had three tackles, including one for a loss in a 37-19 loss to the Steelers on Sunday night.
Pittsburgh cornerback Brice McCain • McCain was active but did not record any stats.
Oakland cornerback Keith McGill • McGill did not record any stats.
Miami linebacker Koa Misi • Misi missed his second consecutive game, a 34-15 loss to the Chiefs, with an ankle injury sustained in Week One.
San Diego defensive tackle Tenny Palepoi • Palepoi did not record any stats in the Chargers' 22-10 win on the road against the Bills.
New York Jets outside linebacker Trevor Reilly • Reilly will play for the first time on Monday night against the Bears.
Miami defensive end Derrick Shelby • Shelby sacked fellow Utah alum Alex Smith, giving him 3.5 for his NFL career, and he later recovered a fumble after teammate Jared Odrick brought down Smith.
New England defensive tackle Sealver Siliga • Siliga had one tackle, but injured his foot and left the game, according to The Boston Globe.
Kansas City cornerback Sean Smith • Smith made three tackles and one pass deflection. He talked to The Kansas City Star about playing against his old team.
Kansas City quarterback Alex Smith • Smith got on track in leading the Chiefs to their first win of 2014, completing 76 percent of his passes (19 for 25) for 186 yards and three touchdowns. He was the focus of most game reports, including this one from The Associated Press.
Baltimore wideout Steve Smith Sr. • Smith continues to play nothing like most 35-year-olds who were released by their former team. Saturday, he totaled five catches for 101 yards and caught a 32-yard pass that set Baltimore up for the game-winning field goal. "When I line up, I think there is no better option than myself," he told The Baltimore Sun. He also recorded his 40 career tackle. Next week: Carolina.
Atlanta defensive tackle Paul Soliai • Soliai didn't record any stats, but the Falcons pummeled the Buccaneers, 56-14.
San Diego safety Eric Weddle • Weddle recorded 10 tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass deflection, and may have had the day's hardest hit when he battered Bills receiver Marquise Goodwin. "Any time you get a hit like that, it's not only good for the game, but it pumps the team up," he told ESPN. "And they know when you're going to run a crosser, we'll get you." The Tribune spoke with Weddle earlier in the week about NFL controversies, playing with former Utes, this year's Utes and his beard.
— Matthew Piper
Twitter: @matthew_piper