Kyle Peko
{{Short description|American football player (born 1993)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Kyle Peko
| image = Kyle Peko.JPG
| alt =
| caption = Peko with the Denver Broncos in 2016
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Defensive tackle
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|7|23}}
| birth_place = La Habra, California, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lbs = 305
| high_school = La Habra
| college = {{ubl|Cerritos (2011–2012)|Oregon State (2014–2015)}}
| undraftedyear = 2016
| pastteams = * Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2016}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
- Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2018}}–{{NFL Year|2019}})
- Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|2019}})
- Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2019}}–{{NFL Year|2020}})
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2021}})
- Las Vegas Raiders ({{NFL Year|2022}})
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2023}})
- Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2024}})
| status =
| statweek =
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 58
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 2.0
| statlabel3 = Pass deflections
| statvalue3 = 2
| statlabel4 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue4 = 1
| statlabel5 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue5 =
| pfr = PekoKy00
}}
Kyle Peko (born July 23, 1993) is an American professional football defensive tackle. He played college football at Cerritos College and Oregon State. Peko signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent following the 2016 NFL draft.
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 1
| weight = 298
| dash = 5.13
| ten split = 1.80
| twenty split = 2.97
| shuttle = 4.50
| cone drill = 7.30
| vertical = 32.5
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 8
| bench = 31
| arm span = 32 3/4
| hand span = 9 1/4
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=127903&DraftYear=2016 |title=2016 Draft Scout Kyle Peko, Oregon State NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |website=draftscout.com |access-date=August 29, 2022}}{{Cite web |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417041649/https://insider.espn.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/50293 |title=Kyle Peko 2016 NFL Draft Profile |website=insider.espn.com |access-date=August 29, 2022}}
}}
=Denver Broncos (first stint)=
On May 3, 2016, Peko signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent following the 2016 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Mason |first=Andrew |date=May 2, 2016 |title=Get to know the Broncos' 21 college free agents |url=http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Get-to-know-the-Broncos-21-college-free-agents/897d0855-5f4e-4e2e-9bb9-9e13300eaf2e |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030141606/http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Get-to-know-the-Broncos-21-college-free-agents/897d0855-5f4e-4e2e-9bb9-9e13300eaf2e |archive-date=October 30, 2017 |access-date=September 18, 2017 |website=Denver Broncos}} On September 20, he was released by the Broncos, and re-signed to the practice squad on September 22.{{Cite web |last=Mason |first=Andrew |date=September 20, 2016 |title=Broncos to bring back Shiloh Keo; waive Kyle Peko |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-to-bring-back-shiloh-keo-waive-kyle-peko-17729346 |website=DenverBroncos.com}}{{Cite web |last=Swanson |first=Ben |date=September 22, 2016 |title=Broncos sign NT Kyle Peko to practice squad, waive S Ryan Murphy |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-nt-kyle-peko-to-practice-squad-waive-s-ryan-murphy-17739453 |website=DenverBroncos.com}} He was promoted to the active roster on December 28.{{Cite web |last=DiLalla, Aric |date=December 28, 2016 |title=DeMarcus Ware, Kayvon Webster headed to IR |url=http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/DeMarcus-Ware-Kayvon-Webster-headed-to-IR/45d2f7ee-7ad9-4c1d-8385-7fdab69417a7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825094131/http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/DeMarcus-Ware-Kayvon-Webster-headed-to-IR/45d2f7ee-7ad9-4c1d-8385-7fdab69417a7 |archive-date=August 25, 2017 |website=DenverBroncos.com}}
During the 2017 season, Peko was involved in multiple transactions; he was signed and released five times.{{Cite web |last=Mason |first=Andrew |date=September 2, 2017 |title=Broncos trim roster at deadline |url=http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Broncos-trim-roster-at-deadline/234c49ac-2b09-496b-9175-b8fdc28f39dd |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130182211/http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Broncos-trim-roster-at-deadline/234c49ac-2b09-496b-9175-b8fdc28f39dd |archive-date=November 30, 2017 |access-date=September 18, 2017 |website=Denver Broncos}}{{Cite web |last=DiLalla, Aric |date=September 9, 2017 |title=Broncos waive nose tackle Kyle Peko |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-waive-nose-tackle-kyle-peko-19340871 |website=DenverBroncos.com}}{{Cite web |last=DiLalla, Aric |date=September 16, 2017 |title=Broncos add NT Kyle Peko to active roster, waive Tyrique Jarrett |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-add-nt-kyle-peko-to-active-roster-waive-tyrique-jarrett-19385247 |website=DenverBroncos.com}}{{Cite web |last=DiLalla, Aric |date=October 21, 2017 |title=Broncos make slew of roster moves ahead of Sunday's game vs. Chargers |url=http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Broncos-make-slew-of-roster-moves-ahead-of-Sundays-game-vs-Chargers/74d2b108-3a45-492d-a979-21ef39449e2b |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306072542/http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Broncos-make-slew-of-roster-moves-ahead-of-Sundays-game-vs-Chargers/74d2b108-3a45-492d-a979-21ef39449e2b |archive-date=March 6, 2018 |website=DenverBroncos.com}}{{Cite web |last=Swanson, Ben |date=November 25, 2017 |title=Broncos promote nose tackle Kyle Peko to active roster |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-promote-nose-tackle-kyle-peko-to-active-roster-19836930 |website=DenverBroncos.com}}
On September 1, 2018, Peko was waived by the Broncos and was signed to the practice squad the next day.{{Cite web |last=DiLalla, Aric |date=September 1, 2018 |title=Broncos trim roster to 53 players |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-trim-roster-to-53-players |website=DenverBroncos.com}}{{Cite web |last=DiLalla, Aric |date=September 2, 2018 |title=Broncos sign nine players to practice squad |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-nine-players-to-practice-squad |website=DenverBroncos.com}} He was released on September 11.{{Cite web |date=September 11, 2018 |title=Broncos sign S Shamarko Thomas to active roster, Niles Scott to practice squad |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-s-shamarko-thomas-to-active-roster-niles-scott-to-practice-squad |website=DenverBroncos.com}}
=Buffalo Bills=
On September 12, 2018, Peko was signed to the Buffalo Bills' practice squad.{{Cite web |date=September 12, 2018 |title=Kyle Peko Heads to Buffalo |url=https://247sports.com/college/oregon-state/Article/Buffalo-Bills-acquire-Kyle-Peko-Denver-Broncos-121801682/ |website=247sports.com}} He signed a reserve/future contract with the Bills on December 31.{{Cite web |last=Brown, Chris |date=December 31, 2018 |title=Bills sign three players from practice squad to reserve future contracts |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-three-players-from-practice-squad-to-reserve-future-contracts |website=BuffaloBills.com}}
On August 31, 2019, Peko was waived by the Bills and was signed to the practice squad the next day.{{Cite web |last=Brown, Chris |date=August 31, 2019 |title=Bills cut roster down to 53 players |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-cut-roster-down-to-53-players |website=BuffaloBills.com}}{{Cite web |last=Brown, Chris |date=September 1, 2019 |title=Bills begin to assemble practice squad, Christian Wade holds 11th exempt spot |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-begin-to-assemble-practice-squad-christian-wade-holds-11th-exempt-spot |website=BuffaloBills.com}} He was promoted to the active roster on September 24,{{Cite web |last=Brown, Chris |date=September 24, 2019 |title=Bills elevate DT Kyle Peko to the 53-man roster |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-elevate-dt-kyle-peko-to-the-53-man-roster |website=BuffaloBills.com}} and was waived on November 2.{{Cite web |last=Brown, Chris |date=November 2, 2019 |title=Bills elevate DT Vincent Taylor to the 53-man roster |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-elevate-dt-vincent-taylor-to-the-53-man-roster-transactions |website=BuffaloBills.com}}
=Indianapolis Colts=
On November 4, 2019, Peko was claimed off waivers by the Indianapolis Colts, but was waived five days later and re-signed to the practice squad.{{Cite web |date=November 4, 2019 |title=Colts Claim DT Kyle Peko Off Waivers |url=https://www.colts.com/news/kyle-peko-claimed-off-waivers-roster-move-transaction-buffalo-bills |website=Colts.com}}{{Cite web |last=Walker, Andrew |date=November 9, 2019 |title=Colts Bring Up WR Marcus Johnson, QB Chad Kelly To Active Roster |url=https://www.colts.com/news/colts-bring-up-wr-marcus-johnson-qb-chad-kelly-to-active-roster |website=Colts.com}}
=Denver Broncos (second stint)=
On December 14, 2019, Peko was signed by the Broncos off the Colts' practice squad.{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2019 |title=Broncos sign DL Kyle Peko, promote DL Deyon Sizer to active roster |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-dl-kyle-peko-promote-dl-deyon-sizer-to-active-roster |website=DenverBroncos.com}} On July 28, 2020, Peko announced he was opting out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite news |last=DiLalla, Aric |date=July 28, 2020 |title=Broncos place T Elijah Wilkinson on Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, G Netane Muti on Non-Football Injury (NFI) list |work=DenverBroncos.com |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-place-t-elijah-wilkinson-on-physically-unable-to-perform-pup-list-g-neta |access-date=July 28, 2020 |archive-date=July 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730082734/https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-place-t-elijah-wilkinson-on-physically-unable-to-perform-pup-list-g-neta |url-status=dead }}
He was released after the season on February 18, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Simmons |first=Myles |date=February 18, 2021 |title=Broncos release Kyle Peko |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/02/18/broncos-release-kyle-peko/ |access-date=February 19, 2021 |website=ProFootballTalk |language=en-US}}
=Tennessee Titans (first stint)=
On July 26, 2021, Peko signed with the Tennessee Titans.{{Cite web |date=July 26, 2021 |title=Titans add Kyle Peko, Anthony Rush, waive Bruce Hector |url=https://titanswire.usatoday.com/2021/07/26/titans-add-kyle-peko-anthony-rush-waive-bruce-hector/ |website=USAToday.com}} He was placed on injured reserve on August 26.{{cite web|title=Titans Add Three to Roster, Place Three on Reserve/COVID-19 List|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-add-three-to-roster-place-three-on-reserve-covid-19-list|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=August 26, 2021}} He was released on September 6, and re-signed to the practice squad on October 13.{{cite web|title=Titans Sign LB Avery Williamson, Move S Amani Hooker to "Designated for Return from Injured Reserve" List|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-sign-lb-avery-williamson-move-s-amani-hooker-to-designated-for-return-fro|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=October 13, 2021}} He was promoted to the active roster on November 17.{{cite web|title=Titans Sign DL Kyle Peko to Active Roster, Move TE Tommy Hudson to "Designated for Return from Injured Reserve" List|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-sign-dl-kyle-peko-to-active-roster-move-te-tommy-hudson-to-designated-for|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=November 17, 2021|access-date=November 19, 2021|archive-date=January 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128172612/https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-sign-dl-kyle-peko-to-active-roster-move-te-tommy-hudson-to-designated-for|url-status=dead}}
Peko put up 1.0 sack in each of the last two games of the season, the only sacks in his career to date. He also put up the only forced fumble in his career in the first of those last two games, a 34–3 win against the Miami Dolphins.
=Las Vegas Raiders=
On March 22, 2022, Peko signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.{{cite web|title=Raiders sign DT Kyle Peko|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-sign-dt-kyle-peko-nfl-2022-free-agency-offseason|website=Raiders.com|date=March 22, 2022}} He was released on August 30,{{cite web|title=Raiders finalize initial 53-man roster for the 2022 season|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-finalize-initial-53-man-roster-2022-season-transactions-waive-release|website=Raiders.com|date=August 30, 2022}} and re-signed to the practice squad on September 5.{{Cite web |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/raiders-release-dt-tyler-lancaster-from-ir-sign-dt-kyle-peko-to-ps/ |title=Raiders release DT Tyler Lancaster from IR sign Kyle Peko to PS/ |last=Bouda |first=Nate |website=NFL Trade Rumors.com|date=September 5, 2022 |access-date=September 6, 2022}} On September 13, Peko was released from the practice squad{{Cite web |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/nfl-transactions-tuesday-9-13/ |title=NFL Transactions: Tuesday 9/13 |last=Bouda |first=Nate |website=NFL Trade Rumors.com |date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022}} and re-signed on October 26.{{Cite web|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-sign-jackson-barton-active-roster-practice-squad-kyle-peko-bryce-cosby|title=Raiders sign T Jackson Barton to active roster|website=Raiders.com|date=October 26, 2022|access-date=October 26, 2022|archive-date=October 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026211113/https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-sign-jackson-barton-active-roster-practice-squad-kyle-peko-bryce-cosby|url-status=dead}} On December 6, Peko was signed to the Raiders' active roster.{{Cite web |date=December 6, 2022 |title=Raiders sign DT Kyle Peko to active roster, sign LB Austin Calitro to practice squad |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-sign-dt-kyle-peko-active-roster-nfl-2022-transactions-lb-austin-calitro |access-date=December 6, 2022 |website=Raiders.com |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206223608/https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-sign-dt-kyle-peko-active-roster-nfl-2022-transactions-lb-austin-calitro |url-status=dead }}
On July 25, 2023, Peko re-signed with the Raiders.{{Cite web |last=Grindley |first=Wyatt |date=2023-07-25 |title=Raiders Signing DT Kyle Peko, Releasing Two Players |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/raiders-signing-dt-kyle-peko-releasing-two-players/ |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |language=en-US}} He was released on August 13.{{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-release-kyle-peko-put-205703470.html |title=Raiders release Kyle Peko, put two on injured reserve |website=Sports Yahoo |date=August 13, 2023 |access-date=August 14, 2023}}
=Tennessee Titans (second stint)=
On August 14, 2023, Peko signed with the Titans.{{cite web|title=Titans Sign RB Jacques Patrick, Waive DB Chris Jackson, in a Flurry of Roster Moves|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-sign-rb-jacques-patrick-waive-db-chris-jackson-in-a-flurry-of-roster-move|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=August 14, 2023}} He was released on August 29 and re-signed to the practice squad.{{cite web|title=Titans Trim Roster Ahead of NFL's Deadline|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-trim-roster-ahead-of-nfl-s-deadline|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=August 29, 2023}}{{cite web|title=Titans Add Players to the Team's Practice Squad|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-add-players-to-the-team-s-practice-squad-x0189|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=August 30, 2023}} He was promoted to the active roster on September 19.{{cite web|title=Titans Promote DL Kyle Peko to 53-Man Roster, While Waiving DL Jayden Peevy|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-promote-dl-kyle-peko-to-53-man-roster-waive-dl-jayden-peevy|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=September 19, 2023}}
In Week 13 against the Indianapolis Colts, Peko put on a season-best performance with 2 QB hits and 1 pass defensed against quarterback Gardner Minshew; the Titans lost 31–28 in overtime.
Peko was placed on injured reserve on December 13, where he remained the rest of the season.{{cite web |last1=Wyatt |first1=Jim |title=Titans Add D-Linemen Quinton Bohanna and Keondre Coburn to 53-Man Roster, While Placing CB Kristian Fulton, DL Kyle Peko on Injured Reserve |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-add-d-linemen-quinton-bohanna-and-keondre-coburn-to-53-man-roster-while-p |website=TennesseeTitans.com |access-date=13 December 2023}}
=Detroit Lions=
On May 7, 2024, Peko signed with the Detroit Lions.{{Cite web|title=Lions add defensive tackle who played under position coach Terrell Williams in Tennessee|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2024/05/07/detroit-lions-sign-defensive-tackle-kyle-peko/73604259007/|access-date=May 9, 2024|website=DetroitNews.com|language=en}} He was released on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.{{cite web|title=Lions announce roster moves|url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-announce-roster-moves-nfl-53-man|website=DetroitLions.com|date=August 27, 2024}}{{cite web|title=Lions announce roster moves|url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-announce-roster-moves-x8258|website=DetroitLions.com|date=August 28, 2024}} He was promoted to the active roster on September 11.
On October 13, 2024, against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6, Peko suffered a torn pectoral muscle that resulted in him being placed on injured reserve after undergoing season–ending surgery.{{cite web|title=Lions injury update: DT Kyle Peko’s season ‘likely’ done|url=https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2024/10/14/24270406/detroit-lions-injury-update-dt-kyle-peko-season-likely-done|website=PrideOfDetroit.com|date=October 14, 2024}}
Personal life
Peko is the younger cousin of nose tackle Domata Peko, who was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in {{NFL Year|2006}}; the two became teammates on the Denver Broncos in {{NFL Year|2017}}.
In 2019, Peko's wife, Giuliana, was diagnosed with cancer, specifically stage 3 Hodgkin's lymphoma, and Kyle was excused for the first day of Bills' training camp.{{Cite web |last=Wojton |first=Nick |date=July 26, 2019 |title=Bills support DT Kyle Peko as wife receives cancer diagnosis |url=https://billswire.usatoday.com/2019/07/26/sean-mcdermott-buffalo-bills-support-dt-kyle-peko-as-wife-receives-cancer-diagnosis/ |access-date=December 26, 2019 |website=Bills Wire|publisher=USA Today |language=en}} Peko later announced that her treatment was successful and she was cancer-free.{{Cite web |date=September 12, 2019 |title=Giuliana Peko, wife of Bills player Kyle Peko, now cancer-free |url=https://www.rochesterfirst.com/sports/local-sports/giuliana-peko-wife-of-bills-player-kyle-peko-now-cancer-free/ |access-date=December 26, 2019 |website=RochesterFirst |language=en-US}} They have two children together.{{Cite web |last=Maiorana |first=Sal |title=Bills DT Kyle Peko reports to training camp after sharing some difficult news |url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/football/nfl/bills/2019/07/26/wife-buffalo-bills-dt-kyle-peko-battling-stage-3-hodgkins-lymphoma/1836512001/ |access-date=December 26, 2019 |website=Rochester Democrat and Chronicle |language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.detroitlions.com/team/players-roster/kyle-peko/ Detroit Lions bio]
- [http://www.osubeavers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2729 Oregon State Beavers bio]
{{Detroit Lions roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Peko, Kyle}}
Category:American sportspeople of Samoan descent
Category:Players of American football from Orange County, California
Category:Sportspeople from La Habra, California
Category:American football defensive tackles
Category:Oregon State Beavers football players
Category:Denver Broncos players
Category:Buffalo Bills players
Category:Indianapolis Colts players
Category:Tennessee Titans players
Category:Las Vegas Raiders players
Category:Detroit Lions players
Category:Pacific Islander American players of American football