Tag: Christian Holmes

10 players work out for Broncos, including Nigerian DL Kenneth Odumegwu

The Broncos brought in 10 players for workouts on Monday, including Nigerian defensive lineman Kenneth Odumegwu.

The Denver Broncos brought in 10 players for workouts on Monday, according to the NFL’s transaction wire (via KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis).

One of the most interesting players on the list is Kenneth Odumegwu, a Nigerian defensive lineman who entered the league as a member of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program with the Green Bay Packers in 2023. He grew up playing soccer and later switched to basketball before being recruited to Osi Umenyiora’s football camp. The 23-year-old lineman is yet to appear in a regular season game in the NFL.

Former CFL draft pick Luiji Vilain is also on the list. The 26-year-old linebacker turned down a chance to play in Canada and opted to instead join the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He has dressed for five games (four with the Vikings and one with the Carolina Panthers), totaling four tackles.

View the full list of players below.

10 players worked out for Broncos

  1. DT Kenneth Odumegwu (No College)
  2. LB Chris Garrett (Concordia, St. Paul)
  3. LB Tyreek Maddox-Williams (Rutgers)
  4. LB Donavan Mutin (Houston)
  5. LB Luiji Vilain (Wake Forset)
  6. DB Christian Holmes (Oklahoma State)
  7. DB Zech McPhearson (Texas Tech)
  8. DB Chris Wilcox (Bringham Young)
  9. DB Damarion Williams (Houston)
  10. DB A.J. Woods (Pittsburgh)

Denver’s 53-man roster and 17-player practice squad are both full, so if the Broncos add any free agents, the team will have to cut somebody to make room for any potential new arrivals.

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Broncos host 3 cornerbacks for tryouts

The Broncos brought in cornerbacks Christian Holmes, Zech McPhearson and Damarion Williams for tryouts on Monday.

Christian Holmes wasn’t the only defensive back who visited the Denver Broncos on Monday.

The Broncos also brought in cornerbacks Zech McPhearson and Damarion Williams for tryouts, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

McPhearson (5-11, 191 pounds) entered the league as a fourth-round pick out of Texas Tech with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021. He played in 33 games from 2021-2022 and totaled 30 tackles, two pass breakups and one sack. McPhearson then missed the entire 2023 season with a torn Achilles. He is healthy now, but McPhearson did not make Philly’s 53-man roster.

Williams (5-10, 180 pounds) was picked by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft out of Houston. He totaled 24 tackles and two pass breakups in 14 games as a rookie before missing all but one game in 2023 with an ankle injury. Williams was waived by Baltimore last week.

Holmes (6-1, 205 pounds) had his visit reported earlier today. A former seventh-round pick, Holmes has spent time with the Washington Commanders and New York Giants.

Broncos cornerback tryouts

  1. CB Christian Holmes
  2. CB Zech McPhearson
  3. CB Damarion Williams

Denver’s 53-man roster and 17-player practice squad are both full, so if the Broncos add any cornerbacks, the team will have to cut somebody to make room for any potential new arrivals.

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Broncos worked out DB Christian Holmes on Monday

The Broncos brought in cornerback Christian Holmes for a workout on Monday.

The Denver Broncos brought in defensive back Christian Holmes for a workout on Monday, according to KPRC-TV’s Aaron Wilson.

Holmes (6-1, 205 pounds) entered the league as a seventh-round pick out of Oklahoma State with the Washington Commanders in 2022. He dressed for all 17 games as a rookie and started two contests, totaling 12 tackles and two fumble recoveries in his first season.

Last year, Holmes played in 13 games and recorded eight tackles and one pass breakup. He also played 607 snaps on special teams during his two-year stint with the Commanders.

The 26-year-old cornerback had a scary moment last December when he collapsed on the field after a play. Holmes was then carted off the field and quickly ruled out of the game with a concussion.

Holmes was cut by Washington on Aug. 5 and claimed off waivers by the New York Giants, who waived Holmes during final roster cuts on Aug. 25. He’s now getting a look in Denver.

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Commanders CB Christian Holmes ruled out with a concussion

Christian Holmes suffered a concussion in the fourth quarter.

The Washington Commanders continue to lose bodies in their secondary. Entering Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, Washington was without starting cornerbacks Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste, and starting safety Percy Butler.

In the first half, cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields, seeing his first time on defense this season, injured his shoulder and was lost for the game. That created an opportunity for second-year cornerback Christian Holmes.

The special-teams stalwart immediately made an impact, breaking up a third-and-5 around midfield to force a punt. Washington would score a touchdown on the following possession.

As for Holmes, he remained in the game and, by all accounts, played well.

Unfortunately, in the fourth quarter, on what appeared to be a Deebo Samuel first-down run inside the five-yard line, Holmes seemed fine, chatting with Trent Williams before he suddenly fell to the ground.

Here’s the play.

Holmes was on the ground for several minutes before he was carted off. Washington immediately ruled him out with a concussion.

Holmes was a seventh-round draft pick from Oklahoma State in the 2022 NFL draft.

Commanders lose DBs Jeremy Reaves and Christian Holmes for the game vs. Bears

Washington loses Jeremy Reaves and Christian Holmes to injury.

The Washington Commanders couldn’t have had a worse start to Week 5. The Chicago Bears jumped out to a 27-3 lead against the Commanders on Thursday Night Football.

Chicago wide receiver D.J. Moore burned Washington’s secondary for five receptions, 137 yards, and two touchdowns early.

Now, the Commanders will be without two members of their struggling secondary. Safety Jeremy Reaves and cornerback Christian Holmes are both ruled out for the remainder of the game.

Both players are backups on defense but key special-teams performers. Reaves is a captain and was a first-team All-Pro selection last season.

Reaves has a knee injury, while Holmes is dealing with a hamstring injury.

The Commanders haven’t offered any updates on Reaves or Holmes since they were ruled out.

5 players on the roster bubble who helped themselves vs. Browns

Which players helped themselves the most in the preseason opener?

As every team enters training camp, they have a good idea of who will make the roster. While it varies from team to team, most teams know of at least 50 roster positions for the 53-man roster ahead of camp.

The Washington Commanders entered training camp with one of their strongest rosters in years. Washington’s biggest question is if Sam Howell is a legitimate NFL starting quarterback. If he is, the Commanders are a playoff team, and the rest of the roster will benefit from Howell being the guy.

When the Commanders started camp, some positions were still up for grabs, such as the last cornerback, the final two receivers, and which players will round out the reserve offensive line.

Washington defeated the Browns in the preseason opener last Friday. It was a good night for several young players on the roster. Which players helped themselves for one of those final roster spots?

We look at five bubble players who helped themselves in the preseason opener.

Stud and duds from Commanders’ tie with Giants in Week 13

We look at who played well — and who didn’t — in the Commanders’ Week 13 tie vs. the Giants.

The Washington Commanders had plenty of opportunities to win their fourth game in a row Sunday against the New York Giants but squandered multiple chances in regulation and overtime, leading to their first tie since 2016.

Washington’s offense got off to a fast start against the Giants, scoring the first 10 points of the game. The Giants finally got going behind the legs of quarterback Daniel Jones. The combination of Jones and running back Saquon Barkley powered a New York comeback, combining to rush for 116 first-half yards.

A Washington turnover early in the third quarter led to another New York touchdown, giving the Giants a 20-13 lead. The Commanders finally tied things with under two minutes remaining on a Jahan Dotson touchdown.

Washington had one more shot in regulation and in overtime but fell short.

Here is a look at the players who impressed Sunday and those who didn’t.

Ron Rivera praises rookie cornerback Christian Holmes ahead of Week 12

The rookie could be slated for his most significant playing time of the season in Week 12 vs. the Falcons.

The loss of cornerback Benjamin St-Juste for this weekend’s game against the Atlanta Falcons is a big one. St-Juste has become Washington’s best cornerback this season and is regularly lining up opposite of the opponent’s top receiver.

Unfortunately for St-Juste, he injured his ankle in the fourth quarter of last week’s win against the Texans while making a spectacular play. St-Juste was slow to get up but said after the game he was fine.

Long-term, St-Juste will be fine, but as anyone knows, ankle injuries can be a bit tough to predict, especially if it’s a high-ankle sprain.

St-Juste didn’t practice all week and was ruled out Friday.

Who’s up next for the Commanders?

“Well, we’ll have some moving parts, some guys that will be getting opportunities and we’ll see how that works out,” Rivera said. 

One of those guys could be rookie seventh-round pick Christian Holmes. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Holmes possesses good length and is known as a physical corner. However, he has only played six defensive snaps this season. Holmes has played in every game on special teams.

Rivera praised Holmes’ improvement in practice recently.

As far as Christian [Holmes] is concerned, he’s a young man that just continually progresses,” Rivera said. “What’s been kind of interesting is if you listen to it, people talk about guys that perform and produce on special teams, they have a knack for taking themselves to another level. This is a guy that’s been practicing at another level lately, and we’ve noticed.” 

Atlanta doesn’t have a standout group of wide receivers, but there is rookie Drake London, who Washington loved in the pre-draft process. London is already Atlanta’s top wide receiver. His size and ball skills present quite the challenge for the Commanders, and he could see plenty of veteran Kendall Fuller.

Is Rivera talking up Holmes as a way to give the rookie some confidence, or is he ready for a big-time role?

We shall see on Sunday.

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Commanders rule out St-Juste and Milne vs. Falcons

Losing Benjamin St-Juste and Dax Milne for Sunday creates two big openings for the Commanders. How will they replace them?

Friday was a not a good news day for the Washington Commanders.

The team ruled out both Benjamin St-Juste and Dax Milne for Sunday’s game against the Falcons.

Naturally, the first thought that comes to mind is the size of Falcons receiver Drake London. St-Juste certainly has the most size and best range of any of the Commanders defensive backs. The loss of St-Juste against the Falcons should not be minimized.

Of note, the team elevated corner Danny Johnson from the practice squad on Oct. 24 and Johnson has seen action in each game from Weeks 8-11. Johnson only played two defensive snaps against the Colts and none against the Eagles. However, he was in on 50 defensive snaps against the Vikings and 11 last week in Houston. So, Johnson is the likely candidate to see more action against the Falcons.

Corner Rachad Wildgoose has not seen action on defense since the Colts game and rookie corner Christian Holmes has seen only special teams action this year, with the lone exception being six snaps on defense against the Eagles in Week 3.

Washington does have three other defensive backs on their practice squad, were they to determine to elevate one up to the roster this week. Corn Elder has seen regular season action with the Panthers (2018-20) and last season with Washington. Texas Tech rookie Damarcus Fields saw action for the Saints on special teams in two games earlier this season and was signed to the Commanders’ practice squad on Oct. 26.

Troy Apke was released from the practice squad, but brought back to the squad this season and has the most regular-season game experience of those available to be elevated to the roster.

With Milne being out Sunday, possibly rookie Jahan Dotson will be called upon to return punts. Dotson started out quite well, with four receiving touchdowns in the first four games, but pulled a hamstring and missed the next five consecutive games.

The Commanders did receive some good news Friday. Defensive end James Smith-Williams who is producing his finest year thus far in 2022, had been out of practice with an illness, but he returned Friday and is expected to play against the Falcons.

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Nate Kaczor pleased with Commanders special teams development

Washington special teams coach Nate Kaczor met with the media on Friday.

Commanders special teams coach Nate Kaczor met with the press Friday, expressing he likes Antonio Gibson returning kicks.

“He does a nice job of getting where the seam is and has a good feel for that. His size and quickness to put his foot in the ground and get there before it closes up allows him to get productive yardage. And I know that when you get to the 30 or 31 yard line to the naked eye might not seem like a lot, but if you statistically look at the amount of returns in the NFL to the 30 or passed, there are just not a lot of them.”

Jeremy Reaves has pleased Kaczor with his punt coverage this season.

“There’s a lot of times where they’re bringing eight people and all of our interiors are occupied blocking a rush so [P] Tress [Way] can even punt the ball. So in that event, the gunners are singled up and they need to win for us. So when you see Jeremy Reaves down the field, he’s already blocked somebody and left. Or there’s times when they may double a gunner and Jeremy’s not blocking and he can get out fast.”

On CB Christian Holmes as a gunner:

He has “improved from potentially having a big play in Detroit to executing and getting the play done. He’s the one that actually downed this one at home against the Packers. But where he has improved is just his situational awareness. Obviously, when we drafted him, he is a big muscled up and a really linear fast player and he’s just gotten better and better.“

K Joey Slye has missed a field goal in each of the last two games.

“I think as long as the kicker knows they’re striking the ball well, the alignment stuff is something you can work on. As long as their mind is right, as I’ve said to you all before, then you’re not as concerned. And when you win a game and it’s not as at the forefront, it just makes the work environment more conducive to getting things fixed. He’s really hitting the ball well.”

Muff punts are a time when “any little indecision that can cause mechanical problems on a returner, those can happen. The bottom line is when they don’t catch the ball, if you’re not there to do something about it, you’re not gonna get ’em.”

Often special teams are simply not being a heavily recognized part of the game.

“You have to recognize that people might not notice this or notice that, but once in a while when everyone recognizes it, there’s a play to be made to help win the game…Those are the things in our special teams meetings that we have to prop up and give them a lot of credit in front of their teammates. Like, man, that’s really good.”