Tripplett was selected by the
Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the
2002 NFL draft. He officially signed with the team on July 26, 2002. He played in 13 games, starting 10, during his rookie season in 2002, recording 24 solo tackles and seven assisted tackles. Tripplett started all 16 games for the Colts in 2003, totaling 31 solo tackles, 19 assisted tackles, one sack and one forced fumble. He appeared in all 16 games (no starts) during the 2004 season, accumulating 26 solo tackles, three assisted tackles and one forced fumble. He played in 15 games, starting four, for the Colts in 2005, recording 29 solo tackles, seven assisted tackles, a career-high four sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries (one of which was returned for a touchdown) and two pass breakups. Tripplett became a free agent after the 2005 season. On March 13, 2006, Tripplett signed a five-year, $18 million deal ($5.5 million signing bonus) with the
Buffalo Bills. He started all 16 games for the Bills in 2006, totaling 19 solo tackles, 14 assisted tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and three pass breakups. He started all 16 games for the second straight season in 2007, accumulating 18 solo tackles, 17 assisted tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and five pass breakups. Tripplett was released by the Bills on February 29, 2008. He was released on August 30, 2008. ==NFL career statistics==