Justin Hardee

Not to be confused with Justin Hardy.

Justin Hardee
No. 26 – Tennessee Titans
Position:Cornerback / Special teamer
Personal information
Born: (1994-02-07) February 7, 1994 (age 30)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:Glenville (Cleveland, Ohio)
College:Illinois (2012–2016)
Undrafted:2017
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 15, 2024
Total tackles:80
Pass deflections:2
Interceptions:1
Forced fumbles:1
Defensive touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Justin Hardee (born February 7, 1994) is an American professional football cornerback and special teamer for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Illinois.

College career

Hardee committed to Illinois as a three-star prospect out of Cleveland, Ohio where he racked up a total of 841 yards receiving throughout his entire career.[1]

Statistics

Season GP Receiving
Rec Yds Avg TD
2012 12 17 192 11.3 0
2013 9 11 95 8.6 0
2014 9 19 240 12.6 1
2016 10 25 314 12.6 0
Career 38 72 841 11.7 1

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0+5⁄8 in
(1.84 m) 		197 lb
(89 kg) 		32+1⁄4 in
(0.82 m) 		9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		 4.36 s 1.50 s 2.56 s 4.26 s 7.28 s 34.5 in
(0.88 m)		 10 ft 9 in
(3.28 m)		 17 reps
All values from Pro Day[2][3]

Houston Texans

Hardee was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2017.[4] He was waived on September 2.[5]

New Orleans Saints

On September 7, 2017, Hardee was signed to the practice squad of the New Orleans Saints.[6] He was promoted to the active roster on September 23.[7] In Week 9 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Hardee blocked a punt by Bryan Anger and returned it for a touchdown in a 30–10 win. He was recognized as the National Football Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for his accomplishment.[8]

Hardee finished the season making 10 combined tackles in 14 regular-season games and 2 post-season games.

2018

In Week 4 against the New York Giants, in the first quarter on a fourth down, quarterback Taysom Hill threw a 10 yard pass to Hardee, where he made his first NFL career reception. This gave his team a first down in a drive ending in a field goal, in a Saints win. In Week 5, against the Washington Redskins, Hardee caught his first NFL career interception, a short pass thrown by quarterback Alex Smith that was returned for 77 yards.[9] This play ended at Washington's 4-yard line, setting up a quick drive for a Saints touchdown. He also made 2 pass deflections in the Saints' 43-19 win.

He finished the season playing in all 16 regular-season games and 2 post-season games, making 20 combined tackles, 1 reception, 2 passes deflected and 1 interception.[10]

2019

Hardee played in all 16 regular-season games and the Saints' single postseason game, making a combined 11 tackles.[11]

2020

On March 23, 2020, Hardee re-signed with the Saints.[12] He was placed on injured reserve on November 6 with a groin injury.[13] He was activated on December 12.[14] He finished the season participating in 10 regular-season games and 2 post-season games, making 8 combined tackles.[15]

New York Jets

2021

Hardee signed a three-year, $5.25 million contract with the New York Jets on March 18, 2021.[16][17] He played in 16 regular-season games, making 12 combined tackles.[18]

2022

In Week 4, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Hardee forced a fumble on return specialist Gunner Olszewski in a Steelers' punt return at the start of the third quarter, which was recovered by James Pierre.[19] The Jets went on to win that game 24–20. He finished the season with 14 combined tackles and 1 forced fumble within 17 regular-season games.[20] Hardee was awarded his first Pro Bowl and NFLPA All-Pro selections for the special teams position after his performance during the 2022 season.[21]

2023

On October 14, 2023, Hardee was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.[22] He was activated on December 2.[23] Hardee played 11 games during the 2023 season, making five total tackles on special teams.[24]

Cleveland Browns

On April 2, 2024, Hardee signed with the Cleveland Browns.[25] He was released on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.[26][27] He was released on September 10.[28]

Carolina Panthers

On September 24, 2024, Hardee signed with the Carolina Panthers practice squad.[29] He was released on October 4.[30]

Tennessee Titans

On October 29, 2024, Hardee was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad.[31] He was promoted to the active roster on November 2.[32]

References

  1. ^ "Justin Hardee, Illinois Fighting Illini, Wide Receiver". 247Sports. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  2. ^ "2017 Draft Scout Justin Hardee, Illinois NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  3. ^ "Justin Hardee 2017 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  4. ^ "OFFICIAL: Texans sign 20 college free agents". HoustonTexans.com. May 12, 2017. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  5. ^ "Transactions: Texans down to 53-man roster". HoustonTexans.com. September 2, 2017. Archived from the original on January 8, 2018.
  6. ^ Teope, Herbie (September 7, 2017). "Saints sign Justin Hardee to practice squad". NOLA.com.
  7. ^ Underhill, Nick (September 23, 2017). "Saints promote Arthur Maulet, Justin Hardee to 53-man roster". TheAdvocate.com.
  8. ^ Shook, Nick (November 8, 2017). "T.Y. Hilton, Jared Goff among NFL Players of the Week". NFL.com.
  9. ^ "Washington Redskins at New Orleans Saints - October 8th, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  10. ^ "Justin Hardee 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  11. ^ "Justin Hardee 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  12. ^ "New Orleans Saints agree to terms with DB Justin Hardee on one-year contract". NewOrleansSaints.com. March 20, 2020.
  13. ^ "Saints send Sheldon Rankins, Justin Hardee to IR, activate Ty Montgomery ahead of Bucs game". NOLA.com. November 6, 2020.
  14. ^ "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. December 12, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  15. ^ "Justin Hardee 2020 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  16. ^ "Justin Hardee's contract with Jets includes just $1 million guaranteed". jetswire.usatoday.com. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  17. ^ "Jets Sign DB Justin Hardee". New York Jets. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  18. ^ "Justin Hardee 2021 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  19. ^ "New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers - October 2nd, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  20. ^ "Justin Hardee 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  21. ^ Greenberg, Jeremy (January 11, 2023). "Justin Hardee Named to NFLPA All-Pro Team". Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  22. ^ Greenberg, Ethan (October 14, 2023). "Jets Add OL Carter Warren to Active Roster; Place DB Justin Hardee on IR". NewYorkJets.com.
  23. ^ Greenberg, Ethan (December 2, 2023). "Jets Activate CB Justin Hardee, OL Wes Schweitzer". NewYorkJets.com.
  24. ^ "Justin Hardee 2023 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  25. ^ Russo, Kelsey (April 2, 2024). "Browns sign CB Justin Hardee Sr". ClevelandBrowns.com. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  26. ^ Russo, Kelsey (August 27, 2024). "Browns announce initial 53-man roster heading into 2024 season". ClevelandBrowns.com.
  27. ^ "Browns sign 13 players to the practice squad". ClevelandBrowns.com. August 28, 2024.
  28. ^ "Browns sign WR Kadarius Toney to the practice squad". ClevelandBrowns.com. September 10, 2024.
  29. ^ Rizzutti, Anthony (September 24, 2024). "Panthers announce flurry of moves as Adam Thielen, Jordan Fuller head to IR". Panthers Wire. USA Today. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  30. ^ Gantt, Darin (October 4, 2024). "Panthers bring back Marquis Haynes to bolster pass-rush group". Panthers.com. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  31. ^ Wyatt, Jim (October 29, 2024). "Titans Waive WR Mason Kinsey from 53-Man Roster, Add Three Players to the Team's Practice Squad". TennesseeTitans.com.
  32. ^ Wyatt, Jim (November 2, 2024). "Titans Make a Flurry of Roster Moves Ahead of Sunday's Game vs the Patriots". TennesseeTitans.com.