Latest news with #InternationalPlayerPathway
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Packers fill 91-man roster by claiming RB, signing rookie CB
The Green Bay Packers filled out their 91-man offseason roster by claiming running back Israel Abanikanda and signing rookie cornerback Garnett Hollis Jr. on Saturday. Both players should be available when the Packers return to the field for a fourth practice of training camp on Sunday morning. With two open roster spots, the Packers did not need to make a corresponding move. Note: the Packers have an International Player Pathway program player on their roster, so they technically have a 91-player roster. Abanikanda, a fifth-round pick of the New York Jets in 2023, was claimed off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers, who waived him on Thursday. He will wear No. 23. Hollis Jr. was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent out of West Virginia on May 9 but was waived four days later. He will wear No. 41. Packers Wire has more on Abanikanda here. Hollis Jr. was in Green Bay for a workout on Thursday. Hollis Jr. spent his first four seasons at Northwestern before transferring to West Virginia for the 2024 season. He played in 39 games with 29 starts overall, producing 124 tackles, 14 pass breakups and two interceptions. According to Pro Football Focus, Hollis Jr. (6-0, 199) was an effective run defender during his final two seasons at Northwestern (grading above 85.0 against the run each season) but struggled in coverage during his only season at West Virginia, allowing five touchdown passes and a passer rating of 129.4 into his coverage in 2024. At his pro day, Hollis ran the 40-yard dash in 4.50 seconds, hit 36.5" in the vertical leap, covered 10-5 in the broad jump and did 11 reps on the bench. The Packers have been through three training camp practices. General manager Brian Gutekunst and coach Matt LaFleur clearly saw a need to add at running back and cornerback with the next phase of training camp coming up.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Prayers Pouring In For Dolphins Player Airlifted At Training Camp
Prayers Pouring In For Dolphins Player Airlifted At Training Camp originally appeared on The Spun. A member of the Miami Dolphins had to be airlifted to a local medical center after sustaining a pretty serious injury in training camp. According to reports, Dolphins rookie offensive lineman Bayron Matos suffered a medical emergency and had to be transported to the hospital via helicopter. It's not clear what ailment or injury he sustained during the practice. The Dolphins have stated that he is in "stable condition" and is currently undergoing further evaluation. Prayers and well-wishes have been pouring in for Matos ever since the news dropped: "Prayers up for the boy," one user wrote. "Hope he's okay! Prayers to him," wrote another. "On the first day of camp too, hope he's okay," a third wrote. "Glad he's stable. I hope it's nothing too serious." "Awful! Hope he is okay, and makes a full recovery." "Never want to see something like this happen to anyone. Hope he's okay." "Fortunately, he's in stable condition. Wishing him strength and a smooth recovery ahead." Born in the Dominican Republic, Matos played basketball and baseball at an early age. He moved to the United States to play high school basketball and earned multiple college scholarships, ultimately joining the New Mexico Lobos. He transferred to South Florida in 2021 and learned to play football, joining as a walk-on and initially playing for the USF Bulls as a special teams player and defensive lineman before moving to offensive tackle in 2022. Matos entered the NFL in 2024 as part of the NFL International Player Pathway program. He went undrafted and joined the Dolphins, signing a reserve/future deal after the 2024 season. Our hearts go out to Matos as he begins his Pouring In For Dolphins Player Airlifted At Training Camp first appeared on The Spun on Jul 23, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Miami Dolphins Player Remains Hospitalized Thursday Morning
Miami Dolphins Player Remains Hospitalized Thursday Morning originally appeared on The Spun. It's becoming more and more clear that Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Bayron Matos suffered no common injury prior to being taken to the hospital. Speaking to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Matos' agent Perlesta Hollingsworth revealed that Matos is still in the hospital as of Thursday morning. Hollingsworth explained that he is still undergoing tests to determine the full extent of his injury. The injury Matos suffered was reportedly an "above the shoulder" injury, but it's not clear if it occurred to his neck, his spine or somewhere else. Hollingsworth noted that Matos has been having difficulties moving his right leg. The injury reportedly occurred when Matos collided with a teammate during practice in training camp. After being examined on the field, he was airlifted to a local hospital. A few minutes ago, the Dolphins released an update of their own: "Bayron Matos sustained an injury at the end of Wednesday's practice and was transported to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he remained overnight for evaluation and testing. He has movement in all extremities and is in stable condition. He will remain in the care of doctors for continued observation," the team said in a statement on X. Born in the Dominican Republic, Matos played basketball and baseball at an early age. He moved to the United States to play high school basketball and earned multiple college scholarships, ultimately joining the New Mexico Lobos. He transferred to South Florida in 2021 and learned to play football, joining as a walk-on and initially playing for the USF Bulls as a special teams player and defensive lineman before moving to offensive tackle in 2022. Matos entered the NFL in 2024 as part of the NFL International Player Pathway program. He went undrafted and joined the Dolphins, signing a reserve/future deal after the 2024 season. Our hearts go out to Matos as he begins his Dolphins Player Remains Hospitalized Thursday Morning first appeared on The Spun on Jul 24, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Steelers countdown to kickoff — No. 45: a history of the number and who wore it best
The Steelers countdown to kickoff is here — and we're at 45 days until Pittsburgh faces off against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. In the spirit of the countdown, we're taking a look at the history of No. 45 and the players who wore it best. Current Steelers No. 45 wearers: LS Tucker Addington, OLB Julius Welschof There are two Steelers currently wearing No. 45 heading into the 2025 season: LS Tucker Addington and OLB Julius Welschof. Addington will compete with LS Christian Kuntz at training camp for the starting long snapper position, while Welschof — who gives the Steelers an additional roster spot thanks to the International Player Pathway — is looking for a depth role in a loaded outside linebacker room. Last five Steelers to wear No. 45: Best No. 45 in Steelers history: DB Jimmy Allen Jimmy Allen is the best Steeler to ever wear No. 45. Drafted with the 100th overall pick in the fourth round of Pittsburgh's legendary 1974 NFL Draft class, Allen played four seasons with the Steelers from 1974 to 1977 — winning two Super Bowls along the way. He appeared in 50 games for Pittsburgh and recorded seven interceptions before being traded to the Detroit Lions in 1978. A solid contributor during one of the most iconic defensive eras in league history, Allen remains the greatest to wear No. 45 in the Steel City. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Dolphins player airlifted to hospital, in 'stable condition'
The Dolphins did not disclose the nature of Matos' injury but said the 24-year-old is in stable condition. Matos came to the NFL in 2024 as part of the league's International Player Pathway program, which provides athletes from around the world an opportunity to train with an NFL club and battle for a spot on its roster. Matos grew up in the Dominican Republic before moving to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a basketball career. He played the sport collegiately at New Mexico (2019-21) and South Florida (2021-22) before joining the latter's football program as a walk-on in 2022. Matos signed with the Dolphins after going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. The 6-7, 334-pound offensive tackle didn't play as a rookie, spending the entire season on Miami's practice squad in an international exemption slot. This story has been updated with new information.
