Category: Spartans in the NFL

Former MSU Football QB Brian Lewerke joining New York Giants practice squad

Former MSU Football QB Brian Lewerke joining New York Giants practice squad

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Brian Lewerke stayed patient this summer, and that patience will now payoff with a gig in the NFL. On Thursday, the New York Giants announced that Lewerke will be joining their practice league squad.

Lewerke played with the Giants during preseason but was waived this week and reportedly planning to be an emergency quarterback for the team, so this is a welcome development for Lewerke as he looks to hang around the league until he has the chance to contribute on a 53-man roster.

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Former MSU CB Shakur Brown signing with Kansas City Chiefs practice squad

Former MSU CB Shakur Brown signing with Kansas City Chiefs practice squad

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Former Michigan State football cornerback Shakur Brown might have not been drafted, but he will have a home at the next level for the upcoming season. On Wednesday, it came out that Brown will be joining the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad for the upcoming season.

Brown had originally been given a look by the Pittsburgh Steelers before heading to Kansas City.

The former Spartan defensive back was tied for the lead in the country with 5 interceptions in his redshirt junior season.

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Naquan Jones not on Tennessee Titans 53-man roster

Naquan Jones not on Tennessee Titans 53-man roster

Naquan Jones went undrafted in this year’s edition of the NFL Draft but was quickly picked up by the Tennessee Titans.

Jones showed some of his abilities as a defensive tackle and made a strong case to make the roster in Nashville.

At the end of the day, and training camp, it was ultimately decided that Jones was better suited on the Titans practice squad at this time to develop.

Jones has the ability to play in the NFL, so we will have to see how he develops on a practice squad.

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Giants waive Brian Lewerke, potential emergency QB opportunity

Brian Lewerke was waived by the New York Giants but is expected to stay in New York as an emergency QB

Brian Lewerke was signed late in the preseason to play for the New York Giants. Lewerke came in behind, but quickly showed his toughness in a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns.

Many thought that Lewerke would actually make the roster, but the Giants decided to only carry two quarterbacks.

Lewerke may have played his way into a role as an emergency third-string quarterback or potentially a backup quarterback role as the season moves along.

It is great to see Lewerke is building up to potentially be an NFL caliber QB.

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Pittsburgh Steelers retain Justin Layne, cut Cody White

Bittersweet for Spartan fans:

Pittsburgh Steelers waive Cody White, but Justin Layne makes the team

As final roster cuts were made on Tuesday, there are mixed emotions coming out of Pittsburgh for Spartan fans. Defensive back Justin Layne survived judgement day, but wide receiver Cody White was waived by the team.

Cody White had a very good training camp, so getting cut was somewhat of a surprise. The Steelers may have lost their chance at keeping him as well, as another team may claim him off of waivers, after a strong preseason performance.

Justin Layne has been underwhelming so far in his time in Pittsburgh, but is getting another chance to solidify a spot on the roster.

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Raequan Williams waived by the Philadelphia Eagles

Raequan Williams waived by the Philadelphia Eagles

Raequan Williams was activated for a couple of games during the Philadelphia Eagles 2020 season. Williams has been creeping his way around the Eagles organization trying to gain a permanent spot on the roster.

Unfortunately, Williams was one of the final cuts the Eagles made at the conclusion of the 2021 training camp.

Williams has always shown the potential to be able to be a contributor in the National Football League, but needs to put all of the pieces together.

Williams will most likely revert back to the practice squad in Philadelphia.

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Former MSU LB Joe Bachie cut by Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Bachie was cut by the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday

Former Michigan State standout linebacker Joe Bachie was cut by the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday, amid final roster cuts being made.

Bachie was picked up by the Bengals this offseason and made a good run at potentially making the roster.

Bachie will try to find a home with someone’s practice squad and to continually improve as he attempts to make a roster spot in the future.

Bachie appeared in four games last season with the Philadelphia Eagles, recording two tackles.

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Kenny Willekes left off of Vikings’ 53-man roster

Kenny Willekes was one of the final cuts the Minnesota Vikings made

The Tuesday after training camp to players is much like the Monday after the season for coaches, it’s judgment day. Sometimes that means very good news about making the roster, or bad news about being left off of the roster.

For Kenny Willekes, it was bad news, as he was one of the final cuts by the Minnesota Vikings to trim their roster down to 53 players.

Willekes will most likely get signed to the Vikings practice squad and will still have a chance to impress the squad enough to hopefully earn a roster spot in the future.

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Andrew Dowell has made the New Orleans Saints 53-man roster

Andrew Dowell has made the Saints official 53-man roster!

Former Michigan State linebacker Andrew Dowell has made the ultimate climb of making an official 53-man roster after going undrafted.

Dowell was not selected in the 2019 NFL Draft after spending four years in East Lansing. In 2019 he signed a contract for training camp with the Dallas Cowboys, but was waived because of an injury.

In 2020, Dowell was offered a training camp invite to the New Orleans Saints, where he played well enough to earn a practice squad spot. Dowell was activated for the Saints week 17 game this past season as well.

After two long years of hard work, Dowell showed out during the 2021 Saints training camp and has earned a spot on the 53-man roster.

Next up is a starting spot for Dowell.

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Josiah Scott makes the Eagles roster after some uncertainty

Former Michigan State CB Josiah Scott has made the Philadelphia Eagles roster

In just his second year in the NFL after being a fourth-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020, former Michigan State CB Josiah Scott had to fight for a roster spot.

It appears to have paid off, as Scott has made the Philadelphia Eagles roster after training camp.

Scott was traded from Jacksonville to Philadelphia for a sixth-round pick and Jameson Houston.

As a rookie in Jacksonville, Scott appeared in 6 games and recorded 11 tackles, one of which was a TFL. Scott will look to make a major impact in Philadelphia this season.

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