Tag: Troy Apke released

Commanders make three roster moves Saturday

The Washington Commanders made some roster moves ahead of Week 12.

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As expected with the personnel news the Commanders announced Friday; there were corresponding roster moves made Saturday as well.

With Dax Milne being unavailable for Sunday’s game against the Falcons, the Commanders elevated WR Alex Erickson up from the Practice Squad. 

Erickson will be the final wide receiver, filling the role that’s been held by Milne this season. It had been reported that Penn State rookie Jahan Dotson would be returning punts in the absence of Milne. Perhaps Erickson may be returning punts himself with Dotson being the backup punt returner? Erickson does have NFL returning experience, and perhaps the Commanders’ coaching staff determined they would rather utilize his experience in the role.

Saturday also saw the Commanders release Troy Apke from the practice squad. This is the third time this season the Commanders have released Apke who was a fourth-round draft choice (109) out of Penn State in the 2018 NFL draft.

The third roster move Saturday saw the Commanders sign DT David Bada from the International Pathway Program to the practice squad. Bada, age 27, is listed at 6-foot-4, 293 pounds. Adding Bada to the practice squad, the team had to release someone, and that lot fell apparently to Apke. 

Commanders release Troy Apke

Commanders release Troy Apke from practice squad, officially ending his time in Washington.

2018 fourth-round draft choice and NFL Combine phenomenon Troy Apke, was released by the Commanders Wednesday.

Apke who actually was not overly productive at Penn State turned heads at the 2018 Combine when he ran a 4.34 40. Hall of Famer and former NFL corner back Deion Sanders audibly marveled at the speed of Apke.

What also caused the stock of Apke to suddenly rise was the fact he brought size with his speed, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 198 pounds. Apke then went out and recorded a 41-inch vertical, 4.03 Shuttle, 6.56 3 Cone and 131-inch broad jump.

The then-Redskins brass could not resist, selecting Apke in the fourth round, No. 109 overall. Apke immediately showed promise on special teams because of his athleticism, but injury reduced him to only 2 games and 22 special team snaps his rookie season.

In 2019, Apke shined on special teams in kickoff and punt coverage. Yet he was only able to break into 20 percent of the defensive snaps.

With the Ron Rivera era launching in 2020, Apke became a starter at free safety. But after seven games, the former Nittany Lion lost his starting job and was again reduced to special teams for the remainder of the season and all of 2021.

Released on August 16 during the 2022 preseason, he went unsigned by any other NFL franchise until Washington signed him to their practice squad on Sept. 1.