The XFL announced that St. Louis Battlehawks wide receiver Marcell Ateman has signed a contract with the Buffalo Bills and Darrius Shepherd has signed a contract with the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League.
The first overall draft pick by the Battlehawks in 2023, Ateman played in seven games for St. Louis, ranking second on the team with 13.6 yards/reception and third with 259 receiving yards. Ateman posted a season high of seven catches and 99 receiving yards in Week 9 vs. Seattle.
The 2023 XFL Special Teams Player of the Year, Shepherd appeared in all 10 games for the Battlehawks and racked up a league-leading 907 kick return yards. Shepherd recorded three games with more than 132 kick return yards, including an XFL-best 190 in Week 3 vs. the D.C. Defenders. Also a key part of the St. Louis offensive attack, Shepherd ranked fourth in the XFL in receptions (48), tied for second in receiving touchdowns (6) and was sixth in receiving yards (519).
The signings of Ateman and Shepherd brings the total number of players who have signed an NFL contract to 26, including nine who earned All-XFL Team honors following the 2023 season.
To date, 89 invitations have been sent to XFL players for camps or to hold individual workouts with NFL teams since the conclusion of the regular season.
Monday, May 15 was the first day XFL players could officially sign NFL contracts. If the players return to the XFL, they will resume with their former teams.
