Former XFL 2020, 2023 players get final chance to make their mark in NFL week 18

Ex-Dragons RB Godwin Igwebuike went viral for a play he made on a kick return late in the second quarter of the Steelers game.

Tryouts

A single tryout reported involving former XFL players this week, and that was on Tuesday when WR Matthew Sexton (Vipers) worked out for the Miami Dolphins. It was his second in-season workout of 2023, his first coming with the New England Patriots, with whom he had a brief stay on the practice squad afterward.

Transactions

In the approach to the final weekend of the regular season, a whirlwind of transactions involved former XFL players. The movement began on Tuesday when DT Matthew Gotel (Brahmas) was brought back to the practice squad of the Seattle Seahawks. He started the season there but was released on November 10.

Also on Tuesday, LS Alex Matheson (Battlehawks) was released by the Los Angeles Rams and WR Jontre Kirklin (Roughnecks) was released by the New Orleans Saints. Both had been on the practice squads of their respective teams. Matheson had just signed a week prior, but evidently the Rams decided to stick with Carson Tinker at the position.

Kirklin was signed to the practice squad immediately after final cuts. He was released in September, then brought back in October. LB DeMarquis Gates (Roughnecks), recently promoted from the practice squad to the active roster of the Chicago Bears, was released on Wednesday. The team brought up WR Collin Johnson from the practice squad to replace him.

After his much-ballyhooed signing, the Dallas Cowboys dropped WR Martavis Bryant (Vipers) from their practice squad on Thursday. Signed following his November reinstatement by the commissioner, Bryant had not been elevated for any games during that time. There was reportedly much interest in Bryant beyond the Cowboys, so we’ll see if that translates to either a practice squad spot for a playoff team, or a futures contract for him after the season.

A couple practice squadders were signed to active rosters on Saturday, ensuring them a job heading into the off-season: WR Lucky Jackson (Defenders) with the Minnesota Vikings, DT Bruce Hector (Renegades) with the New York Jets, and TE Tyree Jackson (Defenders) with the New York Giants. Both Jacksons had already been gameday elevations twice this season; Hector was elevated once.

Performances

*In the last game of the regular season, RB Godwin Igwebuike (Dragons) made some headlines on Saturday night. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ kick returner didn’t have much to do in a low-scoring game – he wasn’t credited with any stats – but he did go somewhat viral for a play he made on a kick return late in the second quarter.

Godwin Igwebuike play on kickoff. Smart man #Steelers pic.twitter.com/vuzBhxycn0

— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) January 6, 2024

Igwebuike played on 52% of the special teams snaps for Pittsburgh.

*Having snapped in every game this season, LS Christian Kuntz (Renegades) closed out his third year as Steelers long snapper in rainy conditions against the Baltimore Ravens. Despite the weather, Kuntz continued his excellent work.

*Baltimore clinched the #1 seed in the AFC prior to week 18. Head coach John Harbaugh chose to sit many of his starters, including QB Lamar Jackson. Tyler Huntley got the nod against Pittsburgh, with QB Josh Johnson (Wildcats) moving to a backup role. He was active, but did not play.

*The Cleveland Browns sat many of their key players in preparation for the playoffs. One of those afforded rest was starting LG Joel Bitonio. G Michael Dunn (Dragons) stepped in for him and played every offensive snap against the Cincinnati Bengals.

*Despite being signed off the practice squad of the Arizona Cardinals just over a week ago, the Browns opted to start Jeff Driskel at quarterback in their week 18 game, over QB PJ Walker (Roughnecks). The Browns were resting Joe Flacco, as they had already sewn up the fifth seed in the playoffs. Walker was active as Driskel’s backup. He did not play.

*Leading 31-0 as the end of the third quarter neared, the Bengals pulled QB Jake Browning from the game against the Browns and allowed backup QB AJ McCarron (Battlehawks) to get some playing time. McCarron entered the contest with 1:38 left in the third quarter and played the remainder of the game. He finished 3-of-4 passing for 20 yards.

*Now a member of the 53-man roster, WR Lucky Jackson (Defenders) didn’t see his playing time increase with the promotion. Once again, he played just one snap on offense, while playing 43% of the special teams snaps.

*New York Jets DT Bruce Hector (Renegades), another recent signing to the active roster of his team, contributed three tackles (one solo, two assists) in the defeat of the New England Patriots. Hector played 30% of the defensive snaps.

*After aggravating an ankle injury in week 17, and getting in limited practices all week leading up to Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints, QB Taylor Heinicke (Battlehawks) was made inactive for the Atlanta Falcons’ final game.

*DT LaCale London (Battlehawks) finished the season on a strong note, despite the drubbing his team, the Falcons, received at the hands of the New Orleans Saints in week 18. London finished with four tackles (one solo, three assists), good for second on the team among defensive linemen. Those tackles came in playing just 37% of the snaps on defense, which ranked sixth among defensive linemen in the game. One boo-boo from London was an offsides penalty he committed.

*It was special teams only for OT Storm Norton (Wildcats) of the Falcons. He played just three snaps, all coming on field goal/extra point protection.

*Finally seeing some time on defense, S Micah Abernathy (Renegades) played five snaps there (7%), while continuing to rack up the special teams snaps (91%) for the Falcons. Abernathy finished with one assisted tackle on defense, coming midway through the fourth quarter.

*One of two XFL 2023 gameday activations by the Seattle Seahawks in the final week of the season, DT Austin Faoliu (Sea Dragons) didn’t show up on the stat sheet in the 21% of defensive snaps he played. He also totaled six special teams snaps, likely on the field goal/extra point block team.

*The other Seahawk practice squad elevation, DT Matthew Gotel (Brahmas), was not as fortunate as Faoliu: While he was active, he did not play in the game.

*For the first time all year, P Daniel Whelan (Defenders) did not punt for the Green Bay Packers. His leg wasn’t needed in the team’s 17-9 win over the Chicago Bears. Whelan did play as holder on field goal and extra point attempts.

*It was somewhat of a breakout performance for TE Donald Parham (Renegades) after he had been a healthy scratch the last few weeks. The Los Angeles Charger had his best game of the season, tallying season highs in receptions (five) and receiving yards (83), averaging 16.6 yards per catch on six targets. Parham soaked up the most snaps of Charger tight ends, playing 57% of the time, while starter Gerald Everett played just four snaps. His work earned him a spot on Pro Football Focus’s Week 18 Team of the Week.

*With Denver’s receiving corps having returned to health, WR Michael Bandy (Roughnecks) was declared inactive for his second game as a member of the 53-man roster.

*Though he was signed to the active roster on Saturday, TE Tyree Jackson (Defenders) was a healthy inactive for the New York Giants in their game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

*The Buffalo Bills managed to eke by the Miami Dolphins and S Elijah Campbell (Defenders) in the final NFL regular season game of the year. Campbell played three snaps on defense and 89% of the special teams snaps, though he did not make any tackles.