Tag: Okwuegbunam

Dec 17, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tre Herndon (37) takes the field for a game against the Baltimore Ravens at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Colts sign veteran CBs Tre Herndon, Duke Shelley

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Indianapolis Colts addressed their thinning secondary by signing free agent cornerbacks Tre Herndon and Duke Shelley on Thursday.

Indianapolis also placed cornerback David Long Jr. on injured reserve and released tight end Albert Okwuegbunam Jr.

In addition to Long’s groin injury, the Colts have been navigating training camp hamstring injuries to cornerbacks Jaylon Jones and JuJu Brents.

Herndon, 29, saw action in one game for the New Orleans Saints last season. He has 243 tackles, 32 passes defensed and three interceptions in 84 games (34 starts) for the Jacksonville Jaguars (2018-23) and New Orleans.

Shelley, 28, appeared in one game for the New York Giants last season. He has 93 tackles, 14 passes defensed and one pick in 53 games (11 starts) with the Chicago Bears (2019-21), Minnesota Vikings (2022), Los Angeles Rams (2023) and New York.

Long, 27, played in 13 games (no starts) with the Colts in 2024. He has 96 tackles and one interception in 79 career games (12 starts) with the Rams (2019-22), Las Vegas Raiders (2023), Carolina Panthers (2023), Green Bay Packers (2023) and Colts.

Okwuegbunam, 27, spent part of last season on the Indianapolis practice squad and last appeared in an NFL game in 2023. He has 54 catches for 546 yards and four touchdowns in 30 career games (seven starts) with the Denver Broncos (2020-22) and Philadelphia Eagles (2023).

–Field Level Media

Nov 8, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Denver Broncos tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (85) is assisted after being injured against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos TE Okwuegbunam out for season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Denver Broncos rookie tight end Albert Okwuegbunam will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL, coach Vic Fangio said on Monday.

Okwuegbunam was injured after making a catch against in the third quarter of Sunday’s 34-27 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

“The fortunate thing of it is it’s just the ACL and the ACL only,” Fangio told reporters. “Many times when you get an ACL, it involves some other ligaments. His rehab and repair should go clean and he should be back as good as new next season.”

Okwuegbunam caught 11 passes for 121 yards and one touchdown. He was a fourth-round draft choice from Missouri.

Denver also lost tight end Noah Fant during the game with an ankle injury. But Fangio is hopeful Fant will play this Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Right tackle Demar Dotson (groin) also was hurt versus Atlanta with Fangio optimistic he also will be able to play.

There also is a solid chance that starting cornerbacks Bryce Callahan (ankle) and A.J. Bouye (concussion) will return after sitting out against the Falcons.

Also, defensive end Shelby Harris and guard Graham Glasgow are expected to be removed from the reserve/COVID-19 list and return to practice on Wednesday.

The Broncos have dealt with a slew of injuries all season, including season-ending ones to linebacker Von Miller (ankle), defensive tackles Jurrell Casey (biceps) and Mike Purcell (foot) and receiver Courtland Sutton (shoulder).

Fangio said the team can’t get caught up in feeling sorry for itself under the circumstances.

“You just have to deal with it,” Fangio said. “A good carpenter doesn’t blame his tools, he’s just got to go get the job done and that’s my mindset. … I love all our players, they’re out there busting their ass … it’s my job to give us solutions that will lead us to wins.”

–Field Level Media