LUT WILLIAMS BCSP Editor
Recent developments before Thursday’s kickoff of the NFL season have landed the number of former black college players on opening day rosters at 35 – up four from the 31 that were on rosters in 2023.
But there’s a catch.
Official rosters on the websites of the NFL’s 32 teams include players listed on 53-man Active Rosters, 17-member Practice Squads, as Reserve/Injured (commonly known as Injured Reserve or IR), as Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (commonly known as the PUP list) and as Retired.
Of the 35 black college players, 23 are listed on Active Rosters which means they will begin the season eligible and able to play in this week’s games. Twenty-two (22) were on opening day active rosters in 2023.
The 2024 active list includes third-year safety Bryan Cook and third-Year defensive back Joshua Williams of two-timedefending Super Bowl champion Kansas City. The Chiefs kick off the season Thursday at home against Baltimore at 8:30 p.m. EDT. Cook, who played
two seasons at Howard is listed as a starting safety on the Chiefs’ depth chart. Williams, out of Fayetteville State is listed as a back-up cornerback.
Most notable on an active roster is rookie undrafted North Carolina Central defensive back Brandon Codrington, the only HBCU rookie to land on that list. Codrington was signed by the New York Jets, dazzled as a kick returner during the preseason but was traded to Buffalo last Wednesday when NFL teams cut down from 90 to 53 players. Codrington is listed on the Bills’ depth chart for their game Sunday vs. Arizona as a back-up nickel back and primary kick returner.
The list of players listed as starters on opening day depth charts includes the most tenured former HBCU players in the league. It includes the dean of black college players in 12-year veteran Terron Armstead out of Arkansas-Pine Bluff for Miami and six-year veteran and former first round draft choice of Houston, right tackle Tytus Howard out of Alabama State. The short list of other listed starters includes San Francisco defensive tackle Javon Hargrave in his ninth year out of South Carolina State, Indianapolis defensive tackle Grover Stewart an 8-year vet out of Albany State and sixth-year punter Jamie Gillan out of Arkansas-Pine Bluff for the New York Giants.
Among moves made after cutdown day were fifth-year defensive back Bobby Price out of Norfolk State cut by Arizona and signed to Washington’s active roster and former Alabama State defensive back Keenan Isaac waived by Tampa Bay and named to Carolina’s active roster. Former North Carolina A&T offensive lineman Ricky Lee III was released by Carolina and signed to Minnesota’s practice squad. Chicago offensive lineman Ja’Tyre Carter out of Southern was released and signed to Carolina’s practice squad.
Perhaps the biggest surprise among seven former black college players on practice squads is undrafted Florida A&M rookie running back Terry Jennings with New England. Jennings led the Patriots in rushing in two of their three preseason games and is the only rookie to make the list. Practice squads are like second rosters to develop young players and give teams more personnel to help prepare for upcoming opponents. Players have to be promoted to the active roster to get into games.
Others named to practice squads after excellent preseason efforts were second-year wide receiver Chris Blair out of Alcorn State with Atlanta and second-year wide receiver/ kick returner Xavier Smith out of Florida A&M with the Los Angeles Rams.
Another five former black college players are on Injured Reserve. Howard rookie running back Ian Wheeler and second-year defensive end De’Shaan Dixon out of Norfolk
State, both have torn ACLs and are out for the season. Others on IR can be designated to return.
Former NC A&T running back Tarik Cohen announced his retirement after working out with the New York Jets.
