Tag: Jack Heflin

Trio of former Packers recognized on 2023 All-XFL Team

Former Packers Jack Heflin, Delontae Scott and Darrius Shepherd all made the 2023 All-XFL Team.

The Green Bay Packers had three former players recognized on the 2023 All-XFL team, which was announced Monday.

Defensive linemen Jack Heflin and Delontae Scott and return specialist Darrius Shepherd all were honored on the team.

All three were former undrafted free agents signed by the Packers coming out of college.

Heflin, who played two seasons in Green Bay, created 25 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sacks for the Houston Roughnecks.

Scott, who spent the 2020 season on the Packers’ practice squad, produced 36 tackles, 7.5 sacks (tied for second-most) and 11 tackles for loss (tied for third-most) for the San Antonio Brahmas.

Shepherd, who played 14 games for the Packers over the 2020 and 2021 seasons, led the league with 37 kickoff returns and 907 kick return yards for the St. Louis Battlehawks. His 80-yard return against D.C. was the second-longest in the XFL in 2023.

The XFL title game will feature the Arlington Renegades against the D.C. Defenders on Saturday, May 13 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

Other notable Packers to play in the XFL this season: Brett Hundley (four starts), Kurt Benkert (two games), John Lovett (three touchdowns), Ryquell Armstead (217 rushing yards), Sal Cannella (41 catches), Alize Mack (28 catches), Ethan Wolf (13 catches), Marwin Evans (7 tackles for loss), Josh Hawkins (fumble recovery), Kentrell Brice (one interception).

Saints invite 3 XFL players to upcoming rookie minicamp tryouts

The New Orleans Saints invited several XFL players to their upcoming rookie minicamp tryouts:

The New Orleans Saints invited several XFL players to their upcoming rookie minicamp tryouts, including one familiar face who spent time with them last year. The spring-league’s rules dictate that players may not sign an NFL contract until at least May 15, which happens to fall right after the Saints close rookie minicamp (which runs from May 12-14). So there’s a good chance one of these players could earn a contract if they do well.

Here’s who has been invited to participate along with dozens of other rookies and tryout free agents:

Former Iowa Hawkeyes making noise in the XFL

Former Iowa Hawkeyes Jack Koerner, Jack Heflin, and Shaun Beyer are making noise in the XFL. Here is an update on the trio.

The XFL is underway and two weeks into their season. The league is serving as a bit of a proving ground for players looking to make a splash and latch onto an NFL team heading into the 2023 season. Many of these players have spent time in the NFL and are using this opportunity to make their way back.

Dargan Southard of the Des Moines Register rounded up the players that are former Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones that are playing in the league. The Hawkeyes have three former members playing right now.

The XFL is heading into Week 3 of a 10-week season followed by a playoff including the four best teams at the end of the regular season. The season runs through May 13 when the championship occurs. There are eight teams split into two divisions.

The XFL North consists of the D.C. Defenders, St. Louis Battlehawks, Seattle Sea Dragons, and Vegas Vipers. The XFL South is made up of the Houston Roughnecks, Arlington Renegades, San Antonio Brahmas, and Orlando Guardians.

Here is an update on the trio of former Iowa Hawkeyes currently playing in the XFL.

Giants re-sign Vernon Butler to practice squad, release Jack Heflin

The New York Giants have re-signed DT Vernon Butler to their practice squad and released DL Jack Heflin to make room.

The New York Giants reshuffled their practice squad this week, undoing the changes they made ahead of a Week 18 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The team has re-signed defensive tackle Vernon Butler to the reserve unit and released defensive lineman Jack Heflin.

Butler, a first-round pick of the Carolina Panthers in the 2016 NFL draft. In addition to his time with the Panthers, Butler has also had stints with the Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Raiders.

The 28-year-old has appeared in 77 career games (19 starts) and recorded 110 tackles (15 for a loss), 21 QB hits, 8.0 sacks, four forced fumbles, and three passes defensed.

Butler was elevated for the Giants’ Week 13 game against the Washington Commanders and recorded four tackles on just 12 defensive snaps.

Heflin, who the Giants signed to their practice squad on January 6, was elevated for the team’s Week 18 game. He took 23 defensive snaps in the 22-16 loss.

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Giants elevate, will start QB Davis Webb vs. Eagles

The New York Giants have elevated QB Davis Webb from their practice squad and he will start against the Philadelphia Eagles.

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The New York Giants have elevated quarterback Davis Webb and defensive tackle Jack Heflin from their practice squad ahead of a Week 18 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

In an unexpected move, Webb will also earn the start over Tyrod Taylor.

The decision to start Webb comes after the Miami Dolphins attempted to sign the quarterback off of the Giants’ practice squad earlier this week. Webb opted to stay put and he’s now being rewarded with his first career start.

Although Taylor will enter the game as QB2, he is expected to see some playing time as well.

Meanwhile, the change indicates that the Giants are leaning toward full rest for many of their starters. In addition to Daniel Jones, running back Saquon Barkley, defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, left tackle Andrew Thomas and linebacker Jaylon Smith are among those expected to sit this one out.

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Giants sign DT Jack Heflin to practice squad

The New York Giants have signed DT Jack Heflin to the practice squad and released DT Vernon Butler from the reserve unit.

The New York Giants have signed defensive tackle Jack Heflin to their practice squad. To make room for Heflin, defensive tackle Vernon Butler was released.

Heflin, 24, was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent from Northern Illinois in 2021. He was on the Packers’ active roster in 2021 but spent this past season on their practice squad. He was released on December 13.

Butler, 28, was a former first-round pick of the Carolina Panthers out of Louisiana Tech back in 2016.

After three seasons in Carolina, Butler spent time with who spent time with the Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Raiders before the Giants inked him to their practice squad on November 15.

Butler was added to the active roster for the Giants’ Week 13 game against the Washington Commanders.

Wide receiver David Sills was also re-signed to the practice squad earlier this week.

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Giants add former Packers DL Jack Heflin to practice squad

The “Trash Can Full of Dirt” is headed to New York. 

The “Trash Can Full of Dirt” is headed to New York.

The Giants signed former Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Jack Heflin to the team’s practice squad.

The Packers released Heflin, an undrafted free agent out of Iowa, from the practice squad on Tuesday.

An anonymous scout lovingly referred to Heflin as a “trash can full of dirt” during the pre-draft process ahead of the 2021 draft, and the young Packers interior defender embraced the moniker during his two seasons in Green Bay.

Heflin played in four games and was on the field for 30 total snaps (17 defense) for the Packers in 2021. He returned on the practice squad for the 2022 season but was released this week. The Packers never elevated him for a game this year despite issues stopping the run.

Heflin proved to be a tough player along the defensive line during two years of preseason play. In 2021 and 2022, Heflin produced 10 stops and eight total pressures over six preseason games. In 2021, he was selected as one our “stars of the preseason” for the Packers, helping him make the initial 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie.

In New York, Heflin will get a chance to help out a team competing with the Packers for a final playoff spot in the NFC.

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Giants place Elerson Smith on IR, add Ryder Anderson to 53-man roster

The New York Giants have placed LB Elerson Smith on injured reserve and signed DL Ryder Anderson to their 53-man roster.

The New York Giants have placed linebacker Elerson Smith on season-ending injured reserve with an Achilles/heel injury.

Smith is expected to undergo surgery to remove a bone spur and the recovery time is four months. He should be available when minicamps start in 2023.

Replacing Smith on the roster is defensive lineman Ryder Anderson, who was signed from the team’s practice squad.

With an open spot on the practice squad, the Giants signed defensive tackle Jack Heflin.

The 6-foot-3, 304-pound Heflin was initially signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent out of Iowa in 2021. He spent his first season on their active roster before being relegated to the practice squad this season. He was released earlier this week.

Heflin has appeared in four career games (all in 2021) and recorded one tackle.

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Packers signing DL Jack Heflin to practice squad

The Packers are signing defensive lineman Jack Heflin to the team’s 16-player practice squad.

The Green Bay Packers are signing defensive lineman Jack Heflin to the practice squad after he cleared waivers on Wednesday, per Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Heflin, a second-year player out of Iowa, was released Tuesday as a part of final cuts. The 6-4, 312-pounder lost out to rookie Jonathan Ford, a seventh-round pick who was kept as the sixth defensive lineman on the 53-man roster.

While likely stung by the release, Heflin will get another chance in Green Bay in Year 2. And given how many injuries happen along the line of scrimmage each year, there’s a good chance he’ll be called up from the practice squad or back on the 53-man roster at some point in 2022.

Over three preseason games this year, Heflin created nine tackles, five stops and two hurries while playing 109 defensive snaps. He was sixth on the team in snaps played and tied for third in stops.

As a rookie last season, Heflin played 17 defensive snaps over three games.

The Packers originally signed Heflin as an undrafted free agent last year. He’s adopted the nickname “Trash Can Full of Dirt” after a scout lovingly described his game as such during the pre-draft process.

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Packers releasing defensive lineman Jack Heflin during final roster cuts

Despite another strong preseason, defensive lineman Jack Heflin is being released by the Packers.

The Green Bay Packers are releasing defensive tackle Jack Heflin, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Heflin produced nine tackles, five stops against the run and two total pressures over 109 snaps during the 2022 preseason. He was attempting to make the team as the sixth defensive lineman on the 53-man roster.

It’s possible he could return on the practice squad if unclaimed on waivers.

Heflin was an intriguing underdog story after going undrafted in 2021 but still managed to make the team’s opening day roster last year.

Not heavily recruited out of high school, Heflin walked on to Northern Iowa, where he played three seasons. In 2018 and 2019, he was named to the All-MAC third and first all-conference teams. After earning his degree, he joined Iowa as a graduate transfer.

In his lone season with the Hawkeyes, Heflin totaled 21 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and one sack.

Heflin’s lack of athleticism caused him to fly under the radar of NFL teams during the draft process, however, Green Bay signed him due to their need for depth on the defensive line. Just needing a chance like the one he got at Northern Iowa, Heflin was impressive throughout training camp and preseason.

According to Pro Football Focus, Heflin led the team with six pressures during his first preseason. This was enough to earn him a spot on the Packers’ initial 53-man roster, where he remained for the entire 2021 season.

As a rookie, Heflin appeared in four games and recorded one assisted tackle.
Green Bay released Heflin after getting eliminated from the playoffs but signed him to a future/reserves contract less than a week later.

Not satisfied with their depth on the defensive line, the Packers went on to add two new pieces in the offseason. First, they signed veteran nose tackle Jarran Reed, a former second-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks. Then, the team used one of their two first-round picks to select Georgia’s Devonte Wyatt.

Unfortunately, a new influx of talent pushed Heflin further down on the depth chart. Needing another strong preseason, Heflin recorded two pressures and nine tackles in three games. It was a solid performance, but not enough to keep him around in Green Bay.

Heflin could be a candidate for the Packers’ practice squad if he isn’t picked up by another team.

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