Tag: Zach Cunningham

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Hayden Hurst (88) is brought down by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Myles Jack (51) on a reception in the first quarter of of the NFL Week 11 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Steelers led 20-17 at halftime. Cincinnati Bengals At Pittsburgh Steelers Week 11

Eagles sign linebackers Myles Jack, Zach Cunningham

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Philadelphia Eagles addressed the biggest question mark on their roster by signing veteran linebackers Myles Jack and Zach Cunningham to one-year deals, the team announced Sunday.

Last season’s NFC champions lost a few defensive starters to free agency, including linebackers T.J. Edwards to the Chicago Bears and Kyzir White to the Arizona Cardinals. Second-year Eagles player Nakobe Dean and sixth-year player Nicholas Morrow, a starter last season in Chicago, are expected to step in as the new starters.

Jack, 27, spent six seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2016-21) before playing in 2022 for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He started 13 of 15 games and recorded 104 tackles (61 solo).

For his career, the second-round pick out of UCLA in 2016 has 617 tackles (396 solo), 6.5 sacks, 22 tackles for loss and three interceptions in 103 games (95 starts).

The Steelers released Jack in March and he had been an unrestricted free agent.

Cunningham, 28, played last season for the Tennessee Titans, and was limited to six games (all starts) because of an elbow injury. He made 24 tackles (15 solo). The Titans released him in February.

A second-round selection out of Vanderbilt by the Houston Texans in 2017, Cunningham played from 2017 to 2021 for the Texans. He led the NFL with 164 total tackles and 106 solo tackles in 2020.

The Texans waived him in December 2021 and the Titans claimed him the next day. He started last four games for Tennessee that season.

For his career, Cunningham has 620 tackles (392 solo) and 6.5 sacks in 82 games (76 starts).

In corresponding moves to make room on the 90-player roster, Philadelphia waived injured wide receiver Charleston Rambo and released linebacker Davion Taylor. The team also signed offensive lineman Josh Andrews, who has played for five different NFL teams, including the Eagles in 2015-16.

–Field Level Media

Tennessee Titans linebacker Zach Cunningham (41) warms up during practice at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Nas 0908 Titans 003

Titans designate LB Zach Cunningham to return from IR

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The Tennessee Titans designated linebacker Zach Cunningham for return from injured reserve on Wednesday.

The move opens a 21-day practice window for Cunningham, who has been sidelined by an elbow injury. His potential return would be a welcome sight for a Titans team that placed starting linebacker David Long on injured reserve last week.

Cunningham, 28, has totaled 24 tackles and one pass defensed in five games (all starts) this season.

He has 620 tackles, 6.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and one interception in 81 career games (75 starts) with the Houston Texans and Titans. The Texans selected Cunningham with a second-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Oct 24, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Zach Cunningham (41) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Texans releasing LB Zach Cunningham

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The Houston Texans are parting ways with linebacker Zach Cunningham, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.

The 2020 NFL tackles leader, who signed a four-year, $58 million extension in August 2020, will be placed on waivers.

The fifth-year starter has been disciplined at least twice this season for violating team rules, including a suspension for last Sunday’s 31-0 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. According to the Houston Chronicle, the punishment was for missing a COVID-19 test.

First-year head coach David Culley also benched Cunningham for the first quarter in Week 2, reportedly due to tardiness.

Cunningham, 27, has 67 tackles and one forced fumble in 10 games (seven starts) this season.

A second-round pick by the Texans in 2017, Cunningham has 570 tackles, 6.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and one interception in 72 career games (66 starts). He led the league with 164 tackles in 2020.

The Texans (2-10) host the Seattle Seahawks (4-8) on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Oct 24, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Zach Cunningham (41) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Texans LB Zach Cunningham out for disciplinary reasons

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Houston Texans linebacker Zach Cunningham was held out of Sunday’s home game against the Indianapolis Colts for disciplinary reasons, ESPN reported.

It is the second time this season the fifth-year starter has missed playing time for breaking team rules. In Week 2, coach David Culley benched Cunningham for the first quarter for tardiness.

Last Sunday, Texans safety Justin Reid was inactive for a violation of team rules.

Cunningham, who turned 27 on Thursday, has 67 tackles and one forced fumble in 10 games (seven starts) this season.

A second-round pick by the Texans in 2017, Cunningham has 570 tackles, 6.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and one interception in 72 career games (66 starts).

Also inactive for Houston (2-9) against Indianapolis (6-6) were quarterback Deshaun Watson, tight ends Jeff Driskel and Jordan Akins, running back David Johnson, offensive lineman Justin McCray and defensive back Terrence Brooks.

Inactive for the Colts were running back Marlon Mack, wideout Mike Strachan, defensive lineman Ben Banogu and offensive lineman Julien Davenport.

–Field Level Media

Sep 19, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Houston Texans inside linebacker Zach Cunningham (41) tackles Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Texans place Zach Cunningham, Ross Blacklock on COVID list

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Houston Texans linebacker Zach Cunningham and defensive tackle Ross Blacklock were placed on the COVID-19 reserve list Friday.

Fully vaccinated, asymptomatic players can return from the list after two negative tests that are at least 24 hours apart, meaning Cunningham and Blacklock will not be back in time for the Texans’ road game Sunday at the Buffalo Bills.

Cunningham, 26, has recorded 28 tackles in three games (two starts) for Houston in his fifth season with the team. He has started 61 of his 65 career games for the Texans and has 531 tackles, 6.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

Blacklock, 23, has played in all three games for Houston this year and recorded one sack and a forced fumble. He’s in his second NFL season after the Texans chose him in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft.

–Field Level Media

Nov 21, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Eric Ebron (85) is defended by Houston Texans inside linebacker Zach Cunningham (41) in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. The Texans defeated the Colts 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Texans announce contract extension for LB Cunningham

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Houston Texans inside linebacker Zach Cunningham signed a contract extension, the team announced Monday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed by the Texans, however the Houston Chronicle reported Sunday that Cunningham agreed to a four-year, $58 million contract extension with $23.5 million guaranteed.

Cunningham, who was set to become a free agent at the conclusion of the 2020 season, would now be locked up through the 2024 campaign under those terms.

The reported deal would make him the third-highest-paid inside linebacker in the NFL behind Bobby Wagner (Seattle Seahawks) and C.J. Mosley (New York Jets).

Cunningham, 25, recorded 142 tackles, two sacks and two fumble recoveries in 16 starts last season.

“Zach Cunningham is a guy who day in and day out just gets the job done and makes plays that always leave you shaking your head a little bit,” Houston defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said, per ESPN. “You’re like, ‘how did he make that play?’”

Cunningham has collected 339 tackles, 3.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries in his last three seasons since being selected by the Texans in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Nov 3, 2019; London, United Kingdom; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Ryquell Armstead (23) is defended by Houston Texans inside linebacker Zach Cunningham (41) in the second half during an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. The Texans defeated the Jaguars 26-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Texans LB Cunningham agrees to 4-year extension

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Texans linebacker Zach Cunningham agreed to terms on a four-year, $58 million contract extension with $23.5 million guaranteed, the Houston Chronicle reported on Sunday.

Cunningham, who was set to become a free agent at the conclusion of the 2020 season, would now be locked up through the 2024 campaign.

The deal would make him the third-highest-paid inside linebacker in the NFL behind Bobby Wagner (Seattle Seahawks) and C.J. Mosley (New York Jets).

The 25-year-old Cunningham recorded 142 tackles, two sacks and two fumble recoveries in 16 starts last season.

Cunningham has collected 339 tackles, 3.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries in his last three seasons since being selected by the Texans in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media