Curtis Riley

Curtis Riley
refer to caption
Riley with the New York Giants in 2019
No. 35, 37
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1992-07-18) July 18, 1992 (age 32)
White Plains, New York, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school:University (Orlando, Florida)
College:Fresno State
Undrafted:2015
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:131
Forced fumbles:1
Pass deflections:8
Interceptions:5
Defensive touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Curtis Kaazim Riley Jr. (born July 18, 1992) is a former American football safety. He played college football at Fresno State. He previously played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, and Minnesota Vikings.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0 in
(1.83 m) 		190 lb
(86 kg) 		4.50 s 1.55 s 2.60 s 4.24 s 6.72 s 38+1⁄2 in
(0.98 m)		 10 ft 9 in
(3.28 m)		 20 reps
All values from Fresno State's Pro Day[1]

Tennessee Titans

Riley went undrafted in the 2015 NFL draft. On May 4, 2015, the Tennessee Titans signed Riley to a three-year, $1.58 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $12,000.[2][3]

2015

Throughout training camp, Riley competed for a roster spot as a backup cornerback and special teams player against Khalid Wooten, Marqueston Huff, Cody Riggs, Jemea Thomas, and Ri'Shard Anderson.[4] On August 10, 2015, the Titans waived Riley after he injured his ankle while making an interception during practice. He reverted to injured reserve after clearing waivers.[5] On November 3, 2015, the Titans fired head coach Ken Whisenhunt after they fell to a 1–6 record and promoted assistant head coach/tight ends coach Mike Mularkey to interim head coach for the remainder of the season.[6]

2016

Riley entered training camp as a backup cornerback and competed for a roster spot against B. W. Webb, Valentino Blake, Kalan Reed, Bennett Okotcha, Cody Riggs, and Josh Aubrey.[7] On September 2, 2016, the Titans officially waived Riley as part of their final roster cuts, but signed him to their practice squad the following day.[8][9] On September 22, 2016, the Titans promoted Riley to their active roster.[10]

On October 9, 2016, Riley made his professional regular season debut in the Titans' 30–17 victory at the Miami Dolphins in Week 3. Riley was inactive as a healthy scratch for eight of the next 11 games (Weeks 6–7, 10–11, and 14–17).[11]

2017

Riley competed for a roster spot as a backup safety against Brynden Trawick, Da'Norris Searcy, and Denzel Johnson.[12] Head coach Mike Mularkey named Riley the backup free safety to start the season, behind Kevin Byard.[13]

Riley was inactive for the Titans' season-opening loss to the Oakland Raiders. On September 17, 2017, Riley made one solo tackle, broke up a pass, and made his first career interception off a pass by quarterback Blake Bortles in the second half of a 37–16 victory at the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2. The interception helped set up the Titans on an eventual field goal scoring drive to close out the first half.[14] In Week 4, he collected a season-high four solo tackles during a 57–14 loss at the Houston Texans.[15] Riley was inactive for eight of the next nine games (Week 9–15). He finished the season with 12 combined tackles (eight solo), two pass deflections, and one interception in four games and zero starts.[16]

New York Giants

On March 16, 2018, the New York Giants signed Riley to a one-year, $630,000 contract.[17] Riley was reunited with Giants assistant defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend, who had previously held the same position with the Titans.

Riley started training camp as a cornerback and competed against Donte Deayon for a roster spot as the first-team nickelback, but was moved to safety after Darian Thompson suffered a hamstring injury. He competed to be the starting free safety against Thompson, Andrew Adams, Michael Thomas, and William Gay.[18] Head coach Pat Shurmur named Riley the starting free safety to begin the regular season. He started alongside strong safety Landon Collins and cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Eli Apple.[19]

He made his first career start in the Giants' season-opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars and recorded six combined tackles in their 20–15 loss. On October 7, 2018, Riley recorded three solo tackles, deflected a pass, and intercepted a pass by quarterback Cam Newton during a 33–31 loss at the Carolina Panthers in Week 5.[20] On December 9 against the Washington Redskins, he scored his first NFL touchdown after intercepting a pass from Mark Sanchez.

Oakland Raiders

On March 22, 2019, Riley signed a one-year deal worth $810,000 with the Oakland Raiders.[21]

Pittsburgh Steelers

On August 3, 2020, Riley signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.[22] He was released on September 6, 2020, and re-signed to the practice squad.[23]

Arizona Cardinals

On September 17, 2020, the Arizona Cardinals signed Riley to their active roster off of the Steelers' practice squad after Arizona's starting safety Jalen Thompson suffered an injury in Week 1 and was placed on injured reserve.[24] He was released on October 6, 2020,[25] and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[26] He was elevated to the active roster on October 10 for the team's week 5 game against the New York Jets, and reverted to the practice squad after the game.[27]

Minnesota Vikings

On October 30, 2020, the Minnesota Vikings signed Riley to their active roster off the Cardinals' practice squad.[28] Riley was waived on December 12, 2020,[29] and re-signed to the practice squad three days later.[30] His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 11, 2021.[31]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On May 17, 2021, Riley signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[32] On July 22, he was waived/injured and placed on injured reserve.[33]

References

  1. ^ "Curtis Riley, DS #39 CB, Fresno State". DraftScout.com. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  2. ^ "Titans Agree to Terms with 14 Undrafted Free Agents". TitansOnline.com. May 11, 2015. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  3. ^ "Spotrac.com: Curtis Riley contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  4. ^ "Perrish Cox should improve Titans' cornerback play". tennessean.com. July 27, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  5. ^ McCormick, Terry (August 10, 2015). "Titans activate nose tackle Hill off PUP; waive/injured CB Riley". 247Sports.com. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  6. ^ "Titans fire coach Ken Whisenhunt". ESPN.com. November 4, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  7. ^ "Ourlads.com: Tennessee Titans Depth Chart: 07/01/2016". Ourlads.com. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  8. ^ Wyatt, Jim (September 2, 2016). "Titans Down to 53 Players: A Position-by-Position Look". TitansOnline.com. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017.
  9. ^ Wyatt, Jim (September 4, 2016). "Titans Sign Nine Players to Practice Squad". TitansOnline.com. Archived from the original on August 16, 2017.
  10. ^ Wyatt, Jim (September 22, 2016). "Titans Promote CB Curtis Riley to Active Roster". TitansOnline.com.
  11. ^ "NFL Player stats: Curtis Riley (2016)". NFL.com. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  12. ^ "Titans release unofficial depth chart". tennessean.com. August 7, 2017. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  13. ^ "Ourlads.com: Tennessee Titans Depth Chart: 10/01/2017". Ourlads.com. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  14. ^ "Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars - September 17th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  15. ^ "NFL Player stats: Curtis Riley (2017)". NFL.com. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  16. ^ "NFL Player stats: Curtis Riley (career)". NFL.com. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  17. ^ Eisen, Michael (March 16, 2018). "New York Giants sign G Patrick Omameh, DB Curtis Riley". Giants.com.
  18. ^ "How Giants' free safety position battle got turned upside down in preseason". nj.com. August 26, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  19. ^ Fennelly, John (September 5, 2018). "Giants release regular season depth chart: Instant analysis". giantswire.usatoday.com. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  20. ^ "NFL Player stats: Curtis Riley (2018)". NFL.com. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  21. ^ "Raiders sign S Curtis Riley". Raiders.com. March 22, 2019.
  22. ^ "Steelers sign Riley for depth at safety". Steelers.com. August 3, 2020. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  23. ^ Varley, Teresa (September 6, 2020). "Steelers sign Dobbs, Davis". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on September 6, 2020. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  24. ^ "Jalen Thompson Placed On IR; Cards Sign Curtis Riley". AZCardinals.com. September 17, 2020. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  25. ^ Urban, Darren (October 6, 2020). "Cardinals Promote Jonathan Ward, Release Curtis Riley". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  26. ^ Root, Jess (October 7, 2020). "Cardinals bring back S Curtis Riley to practice squad, reinstate Kentrell Brice". USAToday.com. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  27. ^ Urban, Darren (October 10, 2020). "Cardinals Elevate Curtis Riley, Evan Baylis From Practice Squad". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  28. ^ "Vikings Place CB Mike Hughes on Reserve/Injured List; Announce Roster Moves". Vikings.com. October 30, 2020.
  29. ^ @Vikings (December 12, 2020). "The #Vikings have signed LB Hardy Nickerson (@younghardy_) to the active roster. LB Blake Lynch has been elevated to the active roster for #MINvsTB and S Curtis Riley has been waived" (Tweet). Retrieved January 27, 2021 – via Twitter.
  30. ^ Simmons, Myles (December 15, 2020). "Vikings place Kris Boyd on IR, activate Mark Fields". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
  31. ^ "Five players have contracts expire". FantasyGuru.com. January 11, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  32. ^ Smith, Scott (May 17, 2021). "Bucs Sign Four Veterans After Weekend Tryout". Buccaneers.com.
  33. ^ Smith, Scott (July 22, 2021). "Bucs Put Two On PUP List, Waive S Curtis Riley". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2021.