Canadians in the NFL

[jerrym]

The following article gives profiles on all 25 Canadian players on active rosters, practice squads, injured reserve and suspension/reserve in 2021 at the beginning of the regular season.

https://torontosun.com/sports/kryk-2...n-the-chargers

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Chuba Hubbard on Sunday playing against Dallas will be the first Canadian RB to start in the NFL since Tim Biakabutuka in 2001. He also played for the Carolina Panthers.

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Kansas City has traded OL Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to the NY Jets for TE Dan Brown.

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Chuba Hubbard other than two games where he rushed for 101 and 82 yards for almost half his total yardage in 12 games has been held pretty much in check, having gained only 427 yards on 3.5 yard average so far this year.

https://www.pro-football-reference.c...H/HubbCh01.htm

[jerrym]

Three articles have three perspectives on Chase Claypool. The one I find totally out of line is the following because it is so personally insulting:

ESPN’s Ryan Clark went on ‘Get Up’ and blasted Claypool for how he handled that situation.
“Chase Claypool is as mentally and emotionally underdeveloped as he is physically overdeveloped. This is a dude that has all the things you need from a physical standpoint to be a superstar wide receiver. He has a remedial level mental understanding of what it is to be a football player of what it is to be a teammate — of what it is to be a winner.”

https://3downnation.com/2021/12/10/h...hase-claypool/

Following the Steelers' loss, Chase Claypool was heavily criticized for a situation late in the game that appeared to cost the Steelers at least 10 seconds off the clock. However, it appears that the lost time wasn't Claypool's fault and that it was actually due to a sneaky play by Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks that should have been penalized.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/c...een-penalized/

Instinctively, Claypool dropped to one knee and pointed the ball in the direction of the Minnesota Vikings end zone to signify the new set of downs.
The only problem was, the Steelers were out of timeouts, the clock was running with less than 45 seconds remaining, and the offense was still 34 yards away from the end zone. The Steelers never did get there, with time running out on a 36-28 loss to the Vikings when a pass into the end zone was knocked from tight end Pat Freiermuth’s grasp as the clock hit zeroes.
Claypool’s reaction to the first down was one of several lowlights for the second-year wide receiver who was benched briefly in the first half after a personal foul penalty on the opening drive cost the Steelers 15 yards.

https://triblive.com/sports/chase-cl...ss-to-vikings/

[jerrym]

Buffalo has signed Eli Ankou, who has been signed by ten teams since 2017. He played five games last year with Buffalo.

https://3downnation.com/2022/02/07/b...man-eli-ankou/

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The url below shows the list of active Canadians in the NFL as well as a separate all-time list of Canadians in the NFL.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...ootball_League

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Below is a guide to Canadians and former CFLers entering NFL TCs.

https://3downnation.com/2023/07/27/c...camps-in-2023/

[jerrym]

Nathan Rourke praised by the best QB in the NFL, Patrick Mahomes, and thousands of others online, for his breaking tackles TD run, including Jaguar HC Pederson for Rourke's poise in the pocket and toughness.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl...ke/ar-AA1fe6bj

[jerrym]

Although Nathan Rourke played very well for the second week in a row going 10/12 for 121 yards with no TDs and no INTs, the HC Doug Peterson said CJ Beathard did enough to keep the first backup role by going 12/20 for 138 yards and one TD. Through two games Rourke is 19/29 for 274 yards with one TD and one INT while Bethard is 18/33 for 218 yards with one TD and no INTs. The question is whether the team will carry three QBs in the regular season, something they have not done the last two years. However, if they re-sign Rourke on the PR, they have to put him on the waiver wire first. I think some other NFL team would immediately pick him up.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl...ob/ar-AA1fuRGl

[ArgoRavi]

Although Nathan Rourke played very well for the second week in a row going 10/12 for 121 yards with no TDs and no INTs, the HC Doug Peterson said CJ Beathard did enough to keep the first backup role by going 12/20 for 138 yards and one TD. Through two games Rourke is 19/29 for 274 yards with one TD and one INT while Bethard is 18/33 for 218 yards with one TD and no INTs. The question is whether the team will carry three QBs in the regular season, something they have not done the last two years. However, if they re-sign Rourke on the PR, they have to put him on the waiver wire first. I think some other NFL team would immediately pick him up.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl...ob/ar-AA1fuRGl

Do they not have to carry 3 QBs on the active roster now? I thought that a rule change was made this past off-season.

[OV Argo]

Do they not have to carry 3 QBs on the active roster now? I thought that a rule change was made this past off-season.

I believe the new rule permits a team to dress a 3rd QB who does not count against the 46 man game roster - can only enter the game if the first 2 get hurt ? They should compel all teams to dress 3, IMO.

[OV Argo]

Argos this year's draft pick - receiver J. Wayne, played in the first Texans pre-season game and had a catch; no stats last game; he's competing with fellow Canadian receiver John Metchie for a job there.

Argo draft pick Luiji Villain has played in both Vikings pre-season games with some D stats; he dressed for a few games last year.

[ArgoRavi]

Argos this year's draft pick - receiver J. Wayne, played in the first Texans pre-season game and had a catch; no stats last game; he's competing with fellow Canadian receiver John Metchie for a job there.

Argo draft pick Luiji Villain has played in both Vikings pre-season games with some D stats; he dressed for a few games last year.

Wayne's father, by the way, is former Rough Rider Patrick Wayne, whom I am sure you remember, OV.

[OV Argo]

Wayne's father, by the way, is former Rough Rider Patrick Wayne, whom I am sure you remember, OV.

Sure do Ravi; decent LB with Ottawa

[jerrym]

It's starting to sound like Nathan Rourke will only make the Jaguars if either or both of their other QBs are slightly or worse injured as insurance and would try to put him on the PR, which would leave him exposed to being picked up by another team.

Under a new rule for the 2023 season, NFL teams can designate a player as an emergency quarterback. But that role can only be given to a player on the 53-man roster and not to someone on the practice squad.


So, the Jaguars can either keep Rourke on the 53-man roster as the third quarterback or they can waive him to try to assign him to the practice squad, making him available for another team to claim. Pro Football Talk reports that only 12 teams carried three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster last season but it's unclear for now how the new rule will change how teams manage the most important position.

Rourke is entrenched as Jacksonville's third quarterback after head coach Doug Pederson said last week that C.J. Beathard will start the season as Trevor Lawrence's backup.

"We've had those conversations here and there," Taylor said of the new third-quarterback option. "I think it's kind of a case-by-case, week-by-week basis really. There may be a situation you keep that guy on the 53, but if you're light at another position, you need the bodies and you're healthy at quarterback, maybe that week you don't have a third quarterback. ... Just like anything in this league, things can change so quickly. Everything is down to down, game to game, whatever it is. I don't know if there is one blanket philosophy we have on that situation."

The Jaguars are planning to play Lawrence for the first half of the team's pre-season finale against the Miami Dolphins on Saturday.

After that? "C.J. will get the first action coming out of the half and then Nathan will get an opportunity if the situation fits," Taylor said. "It doesn't always go that way. We're saying it, it's not stamped, it's not in concrete or anything like that. Things can change. ... C.J. continues to be our second quarterback and Nathan's continuing to compete in that third role right now."

Rourke has completed 19 of his 29 passes for 274 yards and one touchdown in parts of two pre-season games so far. Last season Rourke was the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian with the B.C. Lions after passing for 3,349 yards and 25 touchdowns in just 10 games.

The deadline for teams to trim rosters down to 53 players is Aug. 29 at 4 p.m. ET.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nfl/article...ourkes-status/

[jerrym]

Although Nathan Rourke played extremely well in his final preseason appearance, going 4/6 for 74 yards, including a 43 yard completion and a TD, the game and his performance ended abruptly when WR Daewood Davis received a head injury that left him motionless on the field with less than nine minutes to go. Both teams agreed to call the game at that point.

https://3downnation.com/2023/08/26/c...-end-abruptly/

[jerrym]

Nathan Rourke was released by Jacksonville and cleared waivers, but signed a PR agreement with the Jags after passing for 348 yards in the preseason at a 66% rate.

https://3downnation.com/2023/08/30/c...-with-jaguars/

[jerrym]

Below is a look at Canadians who made the 53 man NFL roster and those who were released.

Currently on Active Rosters

LB Jesse Luketa (Arizona Cardinals, Ottawa): Penn State graduate played seven games for the Cardinals last year. Seventh-round pick by Arizona last year.

OL Matthew Bergeron (Atlanta Falcons, Victoriaville, Que.): Syracuse product was first Canadian selected in this year's NFL Draft (38th overall).

DL David Onyemata (Atlanta Falcons, Lagos, Nigeria): Onyemata, who came to Winnipeg as an 18-year-old to attend the University of Manitoba, signed a three-year, $35-million deal with the Falcons this off-season after spending seven years iwth the New Orleans Saints.

LB Tavius Robinson (Baltimore Ravens, Guelph, Ont.): Fourth-round pick of the Ravens this year after transferring to Ole Miss from Guelph.

RB Chuba Hubbard (Carolina Panthers, Sherwood Park, Alta.): Former Oklahoma State star enters his third year with the Panthers. Has rushed for 1,078 yards and seven touchdowns for his career.

WR Chase Claypool (Chicago Bears, Abbotsford, B.C.): Bears acquired the Notre Dame product in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers last November. Numbers took a dip in his third year in the NFL.

RB Chase Brown (Cincinnati Bengals, London, Ont.): Fifth-round Bengals pick this year after finishing second in the NCAA in rushing last year at Illinois.

DL Neville Gallimore (Dallas Cowboys, Ottawa): Third-round pick in 2020 saw his role diminish last season. Has played 35 games with 14 starts.

WR John Metchie III (Houston Texans, Brampton, Ont.): Second-round pick in 2022 didn't play last year after being diagnosed with leukemia. His older brother, Royce Metchie, is a defensive back with the Toronto Argonauts.

OL Carter O'Donnell (Indianapolis Colts, Calgary): An undrafted free agent in 2020, O'Donnell has yet to dress for an NFL game. But he's back on the Colts roster.

DB Deane Leonard (Los Angeles Chargers, Calgary): As a rookie last year, seventh-round pick recovered a fumble on a punt in an overtime win against the Denver Broncos.

LB Amen Ogbongbemiga (Los Angeles Chargers, Lagos, Nigeria): Moved to Calgary with his family as a teenager. Has dressed for 32 games for the Chargers the past two years after signing as an undrafted free agent.

WR Josh Palmer (Los Angeles Chargers, Brampton, Ont.): Has 1,122 yards receiving and seven touchdowns in two years with the Chargers.

DL Michael Hoecht (Los Angeles Rams, Oakville, Ont.): An undrafted free agent in 2020, Hoecht won a Super Bowl with the Rams in the 2021 season. Had 4.5 sacks last year and made six starts.

OL Alaric Jackson (Los Angeles Rams, Windsor, Ont.): An undrafted free agent in 2021, Jackson made six starts last year.

DB Jevon Holland (Miami Dolphins, Coquitlam, B.C.): A second-round pick in 2021, Holland is a starter for a Dolphins team in a loaded AFC East.

OL Sidy Sow (New England Patriots, Granby, Que.): Fourth-round pick this year after six years at Eastern Michigan.

DL Nathan Shepherd (New Orleans Saints, Ajax, Ont.): Signed three-year, $15-million deal with the Saints this off-season after five years with the New York Jets.

S Sydney Brown (Philadelphia Eagles, London, Ont.): Twin brother of Chase, and his teammate at Illinois, was a third-round pick this year.

DB Benjamin St-Juste (Washington Commanders, Montreal): Became starter last year in his second season in the league. A third-round pick in 2021.

Released/Waived
DB Tyrell Ford (Green Bay Packers, Niagara Falls, Ont.): Played for the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers last year before getting an NFL look. Twin brother of Edmonton Elks starting QB Tre Ford.

OL Dakoda Shepley (Indianapolis Colts, Windsor, Ont.): UBC grad has played 13 career NFL games with the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks.

DL Christian Covington (Detroit Lions, Vancouver): Signed with the Lions this season after spending last season with the Los Angeles Chargers. Has dressed for 102 career NFL games, also spending time with the Houston Texans, Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals

QB Nathan Rourke (Jacksonville Jaguars, Victoria): Most outstanding Canadian in the CFL last year with the B.C. Lions, Rourke was stuck at No. 3 on Jaguars' depth chart throughout camp. If he clears waivers, he could end up back with the Jaguars on the practice squad.

WR Jared Wayne (Houston Texans, Peterborough, Ont.): Houston reporter Aaron Wilson says the Texans plan to add the undrafted rookie to the practice roster if he clears waivers. The Argonauts picked Wayne in the sixth round of the CFL draft.

CB Tevaughn Campbell (Jacksonville Jaguars, Toronto): Regina Rams product signed with Jacksonville midway through last season from the Las Vegas Raiders practice roster. The 30-year-old has played 35 career NFL games with the Los Angeles Chargers and Jaguars.

TE Nikola Kalinic (Los Angeles Rams, Toronto): York University grad played seven games with the Indianapolis Colts last year after starting his pro career with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

LB Luiji Vilain (Minnesota Vikings, Toronto): Played three games for the Vikings last year as an undrafted free agent. An Argos draft pick in the CFL.

DT Eli Ankou (Buffalo Bills, Ottawa): Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News reports the Bills have offered the journeyman a spot on the practice roster. Has played 33 career NFL games for five teams and doesn't have to clear waivers.

DE Brent Urban (Baltimore Ravens, Mississauga, Ont.): Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reportsthe Ravens will bring 10-year NFL vet back after some players are placed on IR.

DB Jonathan Sutherland (Seattle Seahawks, Ottawa): Rookie was waived with an injury designation (calf). Picked fifth overall in the CFL Draft by the Montreal Alouettes this year.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nfl/article...r-cutdown-day/

[jerrym]

DL Christian Covington has signed with the LA Chargers, who has played in 102 games after being drafted in 2015 and being released by Detroit this year.