Craig James (defensive back)

Craig James (born April 29, 1996) is an American football cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Southern Illinois.

Craig James
No. 39 – Philadelphia Eagles
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1996-04-29) April 29, 1996
Springfield, Illinois
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:Edwardsville
(Edwardsville, Illinois)
College:Southern Illinois
Minnesota
Undrafted:2018
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of 2020
Total tackles:17
Sacks:0.0
Forced fumbles:0
Fumble recoveries:1
Pass deflections:1
Interceptions:0
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Early life and high school

James was born and grew up in Edwardsville, Illinois and attended Edwardsville High School, where he played football and ran track.[1]

College career

James played his first two seasons at the University of Minnesota, serving as a reserve corner and the team's primary punt returner until breaking his leg during his sophomore season. James transferred to Southern Illinois for his final two seasons.[2] As a junior, James recorded 30 tackles and led the Salukis with three interceptions and nine passes broken up and was named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer team.[3]

Professional career

Minnesota Vikings

James was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2018.[4] He was cut by the Vikings at the end of the preseason.[5] James was re-signed to the Vikings' practice squad on October 16, 2018.[6] James was promoted to the Vikings' active roster on November 27, 2018.[7] James made his NFL debut on December 2, 2018 against the New England Patriots.[8] James played three games during his rookie season, appearing exclusively on special teams.[9]

James was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019.[10]

Philadelphia Eagles

James was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad on September 2, 2019.[11] He was promoted to the team's active roster on September 11, 2019.[12] He was waived on September 17, and re-signed to the team's practice squad the next day.[13][14] He was promoted to the active roster again on September 24 after an injury to Ronald Darby.[15] In the following game against the Green Bay Packers and in the third defensive snap of his career, James deflected a pass at the Eagles three-yard line that was then intercepted by linebacker Nigel Bradham with 28 seconds left to preserve a 34-27 Eagles win.[16] James made his first career start the next week on October 6, 2019 against the New York Jets, making three tackles.[17]

On September 4, 2020, James signed a one-year contract extension with the Eagles through the 2021 season.[18] He was placed on injured reserve on September 15, 2020.[19] He was designated to return from injured reserve on October 7, and began practicing with the team again.[20] He was activated on October 10.[21] He was placed back on injured reserve on November 16 with a shoulder injury.[22]

References
  1. Humbert, Matt (February 5, 2014). "Minnesota Football Recruiting: Craig James Commits". TheDailyGopher.com. SB Nation. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
  2. Tomasson, Chris (December 1, 2018). "Craig James transferred from Minnesota, but now he's back in town with Vikings". Duluth News Tribune. St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  3. "Four Salukis Named to MVFC All-Newcomer Team". SIUSalukis.com. November 29, 2016. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  4. Krammer, Andrew (April 30, 2018). "Vikings' UDFA tracker: All the undrafted free agents". StarTribune.com. Star Tribune. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  5. Gates, Christopher (September 1, 2018). "Vikings Roster Cuts: Minnesota Vikings release Craig James". DailyNorseman.com. SB Nation. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  6. Radke, Kyle (October 16, 2018). "Vikings sign CB Craig James to practice squad, release CB Jalen Myrick". Vikings Wire. USA Today. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  7. Florio, Mike (November 27, 2018). "Vikings finally place Andrew Sendejo on injured reserve". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  8. "Craig James Career Game Logs". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  9. "Craig James 2018 Fantasy Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  10. Glover, Ted (August 31, 2019). "CB Craig James released". DailyNorseman.com. SB Nation. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  11. Lee Gowton, Brandon (September 2, 2019). "Report: Eagles fill out 10-man practice squad by signing a cornerback". BleedingGreenNation.com. SB Nation. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  12. Erby, Glenn (September 11, 2019). "Eagles promote CB Craig James from the practice squad to active roster". Eagles Wire. USA Today. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  13. McPherson, Chris (September 17, 2019). "Eagles promote TE Alex Ellis from practice squad". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  14. Zangaro, Dave (September 18, 2019). "Eagles bring back cornerback Craig James to practice squad". NBC Sports Philadelphia.
  15. Schaller, Olivia (September 24, 2019). "Eagles promote CB Craig James from the practice squad to the active roster". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  16. McLane, Jeff (September 27, 2019). "Eagles' Craig James unlikely hero in win over Packers". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
  17. Gallen, Daniel (October 7, 2019). "Philadelphia Eagles snap counts: Miles Sanders, Jordan Howard split time; Craig James, Dallas Goedert carry heavy loads; and more". The Patriot-News. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  18. Alper, Josh (September 4, 2020). "Eagles sign Craig James to extension through 2021". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
  19. McPherson, Chris (September 15, 2020). "Roster Moves: Eagles sign G Sua Opeta to the active roster". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
  20. McPherson, Chris (October 7, 2020). "Roster Moves: Eagles activate practice window for DE Vinny Curry and CB Craig James; sign RB Adrian Killins to the practice squad". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  21. McPherson, Chris (October 10, 2020). "Roster Moves: Eagles sign DB Grayland Arnold; activate CB Craig James and WR Quez Watkins; and elevate TE Jason Croom and DB Elijah Riley". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
  22. McPherson, Chris (November 16, 2020). "Eagles activate 21-day practice window for TE Zach Ertz; place CB Craig James on Injured Reserve". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
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