Jonathan Kongbo – Syndication Server

A look back at Tennessee’s victory against Missouri in 2016

A look back at Tennessee’s victory against Missouri in 2016.

Tennessee first fielded a football team in 1891 and the Vols have played in memorable games throughout its history.

Each week, Vols Wire will recap a memorable game against its upcoming opponent.

This week’s installment will revisit Tennessee’s 63-37 victory against Missouri at Neyland Stadium on Nov. 19, 2016.

Tennessee led, 21-20, at halftime.

The game was the final home appearance for Tennessee senior quarterback Joshua Dobbs. He accounted for five total touchdowns.

Dobbs completed 15-of-22 passing attempts for 223 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 190 yards and two touchdowns on 10 attempts.

Jauan Jennings recorded two touchdown receptions, while Josh Malone had one for Tennessee.

Alvin Kamara rushed for two touchdowns and John Kelly Jr. had one rushing touchdown for the Vols.

Tennessee also scored one defensive touchdown as Jonathan Kongbo had a 59-yard interception return.

Josh Heupel served as Missouri’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2016.

Giants host five veterans on tryout basis at rookie minicamp

The New York Giants invited five veterans to rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, including the brother of ex-Giant Paul Parkins.

The New York Giants are conducting rookie minicamp this weekend at their practice facility in East Rutherford. There are five veterans in the mix of draftees, UDFAs, invitees, and walk-ons.

Quarterback Bryce Perkins, a former Virginia star who spent the last three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. He spent the first two seasons on the bench and did not take a snap until last year when he played in five games, making one start. He is the brother of former Giants running back Paul Perkins.

Cornerbacks Nigel Warrior and Iman Marshall are also in camp. They both have ties to defensive coordinator Wink Martindale.

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Warrior is the son of former All-Pro cornerback Dale Carter. He did not play in 2022 but has spent time with Baltimore and Seattle over the two previous seasons.

Marshall was a fourth-round pick of the Ravens back in 2019. He most recently played with the New Jersey Generals of the USFL in 2022.

Outside linebackers Jonathan Kongbo and Darryl Johnson have been brought in for a tryout as well. Kongbo has spent time with the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL.

Johnson was a former seven-round pick out of North Carolina A&T by the Buffalo Bills in 2019. He played two seasons in Buffalo before landing in Carolina and Seattle.

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Broncos make 2 more additions to practice squad

ICYMI — Broncos added LS Joe Fortunato and OLB Jonathan Kongbo to the practice squad.

The Denver Broncos added two more players to their practice squad on Wednesday.

After releasing him from the active roster earlier in the week, the Broncos re-signed outside linebacker Jonathan Kongbo to the practice squad, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. Kongbo was activated to the 53-man roster last week when the team was thin at OLB due to injuries.

Additionally, Denver also signed long snapper Joe Fortunato to the practice squad on Wednesday. Fortunato is the second long snapper the Broncos have added this week, joining Mitchell Fraboni.

With Jacob Bobenmoyer on injured reserve for the next four weeks, Fortunato and Fraboni are set to compete in practice to win temporary long-snapping duties. Denver can elevate a player from the practice squad to the game-day roster up to three times during the season, and that will likely be the team’s course of action while Bobenmoyer is sidelined.

The Broncos will face the Los Angeles Chargers on the road in Week 6.

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Broncos elevate 2 players from practice squad for Week 5

Broncos elevated RB Devine Ozigbo and DB Anthony Harris from the practice squad and signed OLB Jonathan Kongbo to the 53-man roster.

With injuries piling up, the Denver Broncos have turned to their practice squad for some reinforcements ahead of a Thursday Night Football showdown with the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5.

First, Denver activated Jonathan Kongbo from the practice squad to the 53-man roster after losing OLBs Randy Gregory (knee; injured reserve), Aaron Patrick (concussion; out) and Jonathon Cooper (hamstring; out) this week. Kongbo will now serve as the team’s fourth-string edge defender behind Bradley Chubb, Baron Browning and Nik Bonitto.

Second, the Broncos elevated running back Devine Ozigbo from the practice squad to the game-day roster for Week 5. He will serve as the team’s third-string running back behind Melvin Gordon and Mike Boone against the Colts.

After losing Javonte Williams to a season-ending knee injury, Denver signed veteran running back Latavius Murray to fill his spot on the 53-man roster. Murray just played in London with the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, though, so he is expected to be inactive on Thursday.

Third, the Broncos elevated safety Anthony Harris from the practice squad to the game-day roster. He will help fill in for safety P.J. Locke, who was ruled out for this week’s game with a concussion.

Thursday’s game will begin at 6:15 p.m. MT on Prime Video. Denver is considered a 3.5-point favorite at home against Indianapolis.

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Denver releases former Vols’ linebacker

Denver Broncos release former Vols’ linebacker.

Denver released former Vol outside linebacker Jonathan Kongbo.

Kongbo was released as the Broncos finalized their 53-man active roster ahead of the 2022 season.

He played for the Vols from 2016-18 after transferring from Arizona Western College. Kongbo began his collegiate career at Wyoming.

The former Vol has never appeared in a regular-season NFL game. Kongbo took part in training camp with the San Francisco in 2020.

Kongbo played professionally for Winnipeg in the Canadian Football League. Winnipeg selected Kongbo in the first round of the 2019 CFL draft (No. 5 overall). He played for Winnipeg in 2019 and 2021 and was a member of two Grey Cup championship teams.

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Predicting the Broncos’ 5 upcoming roster cuts

The Broncos need to make five cuts before 2 p.m. MT on Tuesday.

The Denver Broncos have to trim the roster from 85 players down to 80 players before 2:00 p.m. MT on Tuesday. Here’s our quick prediction on which five players could be cut this week.

CB Donnie Lewis Jr.: He played the fewest snaps (five) among Denver’s cornerbacks on Saturday.
OL Michael Niese: The Broncos have a lot of depth at guard and while Niese might be a practice squad candidate, he’s unlikely to make the 53-man roster.
OLB Jonathan Kongbo: Similar to guard, Denver has a crowded outside linebacker depth chart, and Kongbo will face long odds to make the active roster.
DB J.R. Reed: Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson are locks at safety. Caden Sterns and P.J. Locke have been excellent this summer, and they should be locks, too. Delarrin Turner-Yell is a fifth-round pick, so that will help his case. The Broncos seem very unlikely to carry six safeties.
WR Trey Quinn: Before his fumble on Saturday, Quinn was having a fine summer, but Denver has more receivers on the roster (11) than any other position, and Quinn might be the odd man out.

After making five cuts Tuesday, the Broncos will face the Minnesota Vikings in their preseason finale on Saturday. After that, Denver will have until the following Tuesday (Aug. 30) to finalize a 53-man roster.

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Jonathan Kongbo signs with 49ers

Jonathan Kongbo signs with 49ers.

SAN FRANCISCO — Former University of Tennessee football player Jonathan Kongbo won a championship in his first season as a professional.

Kongbo, who was a top draft pick in the 2019 Canadian Football League after sustaining a season-ending knee injury in the Volunteers’ 2018 victory at Auburn, was selected by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, where he helped the team win the 2019 Grey Cup.

He was released by Winnipeg following its championship season to pursue NFL opportunities.

The former Vol will get his chance to play in the league as he signed with the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers last month.

Kongbo had a late start to the season as he continued to rehabilitate a knee injury he suffered while playing for Tennessee.

He made 12 tackles and one sack for the Blue Bombers in 12 regular-season games.

Jonathan Kongbo released by Winnipeg to pursue NFL opportunities

Jonathan Kongbo to pursue NFL opportunities.

WINNIPEG — Just days after winning the 2019 Grey Cup, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have released defensive lineman and former Tennessee football player Jonathan Kongbo.

Kongbo’s departure was not for poor performance, as it was a pre-arranged deal after he was taken with the fifth overall pick in the 2019 Canadian League Draft in June.

The former Vol was let go to pursue an opportunity to play in the National Football League.

“When we selected Jonathan in last year’s CFL Draft, he chose to sign with our organization rather than wait a season to continue training,” Winnipeg general manager Kyle Walters said in a statement to the league. “This agreement came with the understanding that if he received any NFL interest, we would work with him to pursue those interests.

“We wish him the best and certainly will welcome his return if nothing comes to fruition in this regard.”

Kongbo played in 12 regular-season games and also appeared in the playoffs. He totaled 12 tackles and one sack this season.

Jonathan Kongbo, Blue Bombers advance to Grey Cup game

2019 Grey Cup.

SASKATCHEWAN — In his first year of professional football, former University of Tennessee player Jonathan Kongbo will get the chance to play for a championship.

Kongbo, a defensive end for the Canadian Football League’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers, will play in the league’s 107th Grey Cup game in Calgary on Sunday.

Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. (EST) at McMahon Stadium.

Kongbo recorded two tackles in the Blue Bombers’ 20-13 West Division Finals victory over the host Roughriders in Saskatchewan Sunday afternoon.

Winnipeg will take on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Grey Cup.

Kongbo, the fifth overall pick in the 2019 CFL Draft in June played in 12 regular-season games. He also appeared in both of his team’s playoff games.

The former Vol had 12 tackles and one sack for Winnipeg during the regular season. The Blue Bombers made the playoffs with an 11-7 record and won a pair of postseason games on the road.