Tag: Justin Hamilton

Colts hiring Justin Hamilton to defensive coaching staff

The Colts have a new assistant DBs coach.

The Indianapolis Colts are hiring Justin Hamilton in the role of assistant defensive backs coach, per a report Tuesday night.

Hamilton will replace Mike Mitchell after the front office opted against renewing the latter’s contract.

The news was first reported Tuesday night by James Boyd of The Athletic.

With Hamilton being hired, the Colts now have filled two vacated coaching roles this offseason. The organization also did not renew the contract of defensive line coach Nate Ollie, who then was replaced by Charlie Partridge.

Hamilton, 41, played at Virginia Tech and was a seventh-round pick (No. 222 overall) in the 2006 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns. He spent his rookie season in Cleveland and was waived before the 2007 season. He spent half of the 2008 season with the Washington Redskins before being cut.

Hamilton got into coaching as the defensive coordinator at the Univerisity of Virginia-Wise for three seasons (2011-2013). He then was hired as the outside linebackers and co-special teams coach at VMI (2014-2016) before switching to inside linebackers (2017).

Hamilton continued his career at Virginia Tech, serving as the director of player development on defense (2018), then as the safeties coach (2019) and then finally as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach for two seasons (2020-2021).

He got his first taste of NFL coaching when he was hired by the Tennessee Titans as a defensive quality control coach in 2023.

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Getting to know Titans’ recent coaching-staff hires

The Titans made several new additions to their coaching staff this week. Here’s some more information on each.

The Tennessee Titans made several changes to their coaching staff recently, with the hire of new offensive coordinator Tim Kelly leading the way as the most notable.

Tennessee not only hired a handful of new coaches, the team also re-assigned others to new positions. Here’s a full rundown of the newest additions:

-Tim Kelly hired as offensive coordinator.

-Charles London hired as QBs coach/offensive pass-game coordinator

-Chris Harris hired as CBs coach/defensive pass-game coordinator

-Lori Locust, Justin Hamilton hired as defensive quality control coaches

Now, a look at which coaches changed spots:

-Pat O’Hara from QBs coach to pass-game analyst

-Tony Dews from RBs coach to TEs coach

-Luke Steckel from TEs coach to run-game analyst

-Jason Houghtaling from assistant OL coach to OL coach

In all that shuffling, the Titans did not name a new running backs coach, but that position should be filled in due time.

Since we’re mostly familiar with the latter four, let’s turn our attention to the newbies coming to Nashville in 2023, with the exception of Kelly, who we already did a bit deeper of a dive on here.

I’d also highly suggest checking out this article on Kelly from Broadway Sports Media’s Zach Lyons. It’s one of the most comprehensive deep dives you’ll find on Kelly on the internet.

Now, more information on the newest coaches.

Cowboys’ injury report: Elliott practices in knee brace, Donovan Wilson returns, Pollard DNP after all

Tony Pollard did not practice after all, but Elliott maintains his knee feels the best it has in some time; Wilson could play Sunday. | From @ToddBrock24f7

Wednesday’s practice came and went at The Star in Frisco with only two players sitting things out. One was expected; the other was a late change to what everyone had been told.

Left tackle Tyron Smith was a non-participant; he’s already been declared out for Sunday’s divisional meeting with the Giants in New York as he nurses the ankle injury he reaggravated last week in the Cowboys’ win over Washington.

Running back Tony Pollard was set to be limited in the day’s work, according to what Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters just a few hours earlier. But he ended up not practicing at all, still apparently dealing with the torn plantar fascia he suffered on a long touchdown run against New Orleans on Dec. 2.

Running back Ezekiel Elliott was a full participant, as McCarthy had said he would be.

“Definitely the best I’ve felt in a while,” Elliott said afterward. He wore a knee brace during Sunday’s game at FedEx Field, the first time he’s done that since high school, he explained. It’s something he’ll continue to do moving forward.

“It just kind of holds me in place,” he added. “A lot of times when I’m kind of getting gimpy or banged up is when I kind of get rolled up, rolled on, or just land on my knee. I think the brace gives me more stability.”

Tight end Sean McKeon was also a full participant Wednesday after a neck issue held him out of Week 14.

In other roster news, the team designated safety Donovan Wilson for return, opening the 21-day evaluation period for the third-year hitter out of Texas A&M. A chest/shoulder injury against Kansas City forced him to miss the last three games; he worked his way back from a groin injury earlier this season.

Wilson could be back on the field as soon as Sunday versus the Giants.

The Cowboys also signed defensive tackle Justin Hamilton back to the practice squad and waived cornerback Deante Burton to make room. Hamilton has bounced from the club’s practice squad to active roster to released list several times since 2019.

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Cowboys make roster moves for Week 4 game vs Carolina

WR Malik Turner, DT Justin Hamilton, and FB Nick Ralston are among those who will be active for Sunday afternoon’s date with the Panthers. | From @ToddBrock24f7

The Cowboys made several roster tweaks on Saturday, just ahead of their Week 4 meeting with the Carolina Panthers.

Wide receiver Malik Turner, fresh off injured reserve, has been officially activated for Sunday’s game. Defensive tackles Justin Hamilton and Austin Faoliu were called up from the practice squad as well, with Dorance Armstong and Carlos Watkins declared out.

Tight end Jeremy Sprinkle will be a COVID-19 replacement for the fourth week in a row; fullback Nick Ralston also gets the elevation treatment for the second straight game.

Each of the players listed have suited up for Dallas before, save for Faoliu. The Oregon rookie played saw action in three of the team’s four preseason games; Sunday will mark his NFL regular season debut.

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Cowboys elevate TE Sprinkle, DT Hamilton, FB Ralston for MNF vs Eagles

Sprinkle and Hamilton will be COVID replacements for Keanu Neal and Bradlee Anae; the undrafted rookie Ralston will make his NFL debut. | From@ToddBrock24f7

With just a few hours to go before the Cowboys’ Week 3 game at AT&T Stadium, the team has made a handful of roster additions for the home opener against Philadelphia.

Dallas has elevated tight end Jeremy Sprinkle, defensive tackle Justin Hamilton, and fullback Nick Ralston from the practice squad to the active roster for Monday night’s matchup. The winner will take an early lead in the NFC East.

Sprinkle and Hamilton are considered COVID-19 exemptions for linebacker Keanu Neal and defensive end Bradlee Anae.

Sprinkle has been elevated for each of the Cowboys’ three games thus far. He has played only sparingly on offense, but has been on the field for about half of the club’s special teams snaps.

Hamilton saw action in each of the Cowboys’ preseason games in 2021. He logged six tackles over those four games, recording a sack versus Arizona and forcing a fumble against Jacksonville. He played in 10 games for Dallas last season.

For the undrafted rookie and local product Ralston, Monday night’s game will mark his NFL debut.

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Cowboys place DT Antwaun Woods on IR, ending his 2020 season

The Cowboys added starting defensive tackle Antwaun Woods to the injured reserve on Saturday.

The Dallas Cowboys 2020 season is ending in a similar fashion to how it started, with a number of key injuries. Saturday, the club added two new defenders to the Injured Reserve, including starting defensive tackle Antwaun Woods (ankle).

Woods injured his ankle in the Week 15 win over San Francisco, and was ruled out for Week 16 earlier this week before he landed on the IR, ending his regular season.

Woods took to Twitter to confirm the bad news, and let his teammates know that they have his full support for the rest of the season.

 

The undrafted Woods has spent three of his four years with Dallas, and he started 32 games over those three seasons. The former Southern California Trojan has steadily improved during his time in Dallas, and is one of the teams most consistent run stuffers.

Woods is a restricted free agent in the offseason and the Cowboys could try to retain his services going forward based on a need for quality depth at the defensive tackle position. Woods is clearly one of the leaders and emotional catalysts on this Dallas roster. You may remember Woods defending the star from a Juju Smith-Schuster touchdown celebration earlier in the season, à la George Teague and Terrell Owens.

The Cowboys interior defensive line had already been ravaged by injuries, as Gerald McCoy was lost before the season started, and second-year prospect Trysten Hill showed promise before a season-ending injury; now Woods is the latest addition to that list. DT Dontari Poe was released from the club midseason after being one of the biggest free agent signings.

With Woods out, Dallas will turn to a defensive tackle rotation primarily consisting of Neville Gallimore, Justin Hamilton, and Eli Ankou. Defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford and Aldon Smith will also slide inside and see reps at the 3-technique spot, especially on obvious passing downs.

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Report: Cowboys to promote DT Justin Hamilton to 53-man roster

The Dallas Cowboys have finally addressed the vacancy left on the roster from losing DT Trysten Hill to an ACL tear. The second-year interior defender was lost in the Week 5 win over the New York Giants, but his injury has been lost in the shuffle …

The Dallas Cowboys have finally addressed the vacancy left on the roster from losing DT Trysten Hill to an ACL tear. The second-year interior defender was lost in the Week 5 win over the New York Giants, but his injury has been lost in the shuffle as most of the attention has been paid to QB Dak Prescott.

But the Cowboys, already thin after losing free-agent signing Gerald McCoy in the offseason, desperately need help on the defensive line. Rookie Neville Gallimore has been inactive for two weeks due to coaches decision, and Tyrone Crawford hasn’t played at the same level as prior to his 2019 hip surgeries. The position is thin. Instead of moving in anyone from the outside, head coach Mike McCarthy is promoting from within, bringing Justin Hamilton up from the practice squad.

The Cowboys have taken a strange approach to roster management this season. Since Week 2, the Cowboys have rolled with less than the maximum 53 players on their roster. On gameday, there isn’t an impact, but week after week the club has neglected to bring in outside help in search of the proverbial diamond in the rough.

In addition, the club has waited until the last possible minute to move players to injured reserve, even though their fates are long known. Week 6 has been as glaring an example as any. The team entered Week 5 with just 51 players on their roster, then lost Prescott and Hill in Sunday’s win, knocking them down to 49.

Garrett Gilbert was signed earlier in the week, and moving Hamilton brings that number back to 51. The activation of Leighton Vander Esch puts the number at 52.

Randy Gregory will be added back to the roster following the game, bringing the total to 53 again, but there’s been several weeks where Dallas could have been bringing in players to try and help a struggling defense and offensive line.

Measurables

Background

(This information originally appeared in our 2020 Player Profile article from Ben Grimaldi.)

Hamilton signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent and from 2015 and stayed in western New York until early in the 2017 season. He was then on the practice squads of the Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles. It wasn’t until late September of 2017 that Hamilton was finally promoted to the Eagles’ active roster.

During the 2017 season, Hamilton played in three games for the Eagles and picked up a half-sack before being cut and re-signed to the Eagles’ practice squad again. However, the Kansas City Chiefs poached Hamilton from Philadelphia in December and he started in one game to end the year.

Hamilton appeared in four games with the Chiefs in 2018, but was released by the team in August of 2019 before their Super Bowl season began.

The Cowboys entered the picture in October of 2019 when Crawford’s injury sent him to the sideline for the year.

However, it was short-lived stay. Bennett’s addition made Hamilton expendable and Dallas released him in October. The team brought Hamilton back on a futures contract in late January.

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Can Hamilton find a role, production in Cowboys revamped DL cast?

Veteran DT Justin Hamilton might be a surprising piece that helps the Dallas Cowboys improve on their porous run defense.

The Dallas Cowboys didn’t have enough depth on the defensive line in 2019. After losing Tyrone Crawford to a season-ending injury in October, the team made the move to trade for the versatile Michael Bennett.

Ineffectiveness still led to disappointing results from the defense and the Cowboys went into the 2020 offseason determined to make sure that didn’t happen again. Mike McCarthy and his new defensive staff set to fixing the defensive line. Veterans who were signed included Gerald McCoy, Dontari Poe and Aldon Smith. Also brought in was journeyman DT Justin Hamilton, who has bounced around the league since arriving in 2015.

Hamilton signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent and from 2015 and stayed in western New York until early in the 2017 season. He was then on the practice squads of the Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles. It wasn’t until late September of 2017 that Hamilton was finally promoted to the Eagles’ active roster.

During the 2017 season, Hamilton played in three games for the Eagles and picked up a half-sack before being cut and re-signed to the Eagles’ practice squad again. However, the Kansas City Chiefs poached Hamilton from Philadelphia in December and he started in one game to end the year.

Hamilton appeared in four games with the Chiefs in 2018, but was released by the team in August of 2019 before their Super Bowl season began.

The Cowboys entered the picture in October of 2019 when Crawford’s injury sent him to the sideline for the year.

However, it was short-lived stay. Bennett’s addition made Hamilton expendable and Dallas released him in October. The team brought Hamilton back on a futures contract in late January.

Hamilton faces an uphill battle to make the Cowboys’ roster, but the veteran defensive tackle out of Louisiana-Lafayette has a chance to stick. Hamilton racked up 28 TFL’s and 13 sacks during his time in college.

The biggest trait Hamilton brings is size. At 6-foot-2 and weighing 315 pounds he is stout at the point of attack and can be part of the solution to one of the Cowboys’ biggest weaknesses in the last two seasons, stopping the run.

Hamilton is unlikely to be a starter on Dallas’ defense, but he could be part of the defensive tackle rotation as a grinding run stuffer. McCoy and Poe are currently penciled in as the starters, so the main obstacles for playing time in front of Hamilton are Trysten Hill, Antwaun Woods and rookie Neville Gallimore.

As someone who has managed to continue to stick around for a number of years, it would be foolish to count Hamilton out.

You can chat with or follow Ben on twitter @BenGrimaldi.

This is part of our Countdown to the Regular Season player profile countdown. With 78 days remaining until the NFL’s first game, up next is offensive lineman Cody Wichmann.

| Antwaun Woods | Tyrone Crawford | Trysten Hill | Jalen Jelks |

| Dontari Poe | Randy Gregory | Gerald McCoy | Dorance Armstrong |
| L.P. Ladouceur | DeMarcus Lawrence | Blake Jarwin | CeeDee Lamb |
| Cole Hikutini | Dalton Schultz | Noah Brown | Sean McKeon |
| Ventell Bryant | Jon’vea Johnson | Blake Bell |

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