Dominique Dafney

Dominique Dafney
No. 46 – Carolina Panthers
Position:Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1997-06-03) June 3, 1997 (age 27)
Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:243 lb (110 kg)
Career information
High school:Valley (West Des Moines, Iowa)
College:Iowa Western (2016)
Iowa (2017–2018)
Indiana State (2019)
Undrafted:2020
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Practice squad
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:4
Receiving yards:60
Receiving touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Dominique Dafney (born June 3, 1997) is an American professional football tight end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes and Indiana State Sycamores, and signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He has also played for the Green Bay Packers.

Collegiate career

Dafney began his career at Iowa Western Community College, spending one season as a reserve wide receiver before transferring to the University of Iowa as a preferred walk-on.[1] Dafney played two seasons, mostly on special teams, with the Hawkeyes. He transferred to Indiana State University after his junior year as a graduate transfer. In his only season with the Sycamores, Dafney rushed for 439 yards and caught 15 passes for 196 yards and scored seven touchdowns and was named second-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference at fullback.[2]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight
6 ft 2+1⁄8 in
(1.88 m) 		235 lb
(107 kg)
Values from Pro Day[3]

Indianapolis Colts

Dafney was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent August 26, 2020.[4] He was waived by the Colts on September 8, 2020, during final roster cuts.[5]

Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers signed Dafney to their practice squad on October 12, 2020.[6] He was elevated to the active roster on December 5 for the team's week 13 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, and reverted to the practice squad after the game.[7] He was promoted to the active roster on December 12.[8] On December 27, he recorded his first NFL catch, a 13-yard reception from Aaron Rodgers, during a Week 16 victory over the Tennessee Titans. On January 3, 2021, Dafney caught his first NFL touchdown during a Week 17 win against the Chicago Bears.[9]

On September 25, 2021, Dafney was placed on injured reserve.[10] He was reactivated on October 28, 2021.[11] He signed his tender offer from the Packers on April 18, 2022, to keep him with the team.[12] He was waived/injured on August 16, 2022 and placed on injured reserve.[13] The Packers reached an injury settlement with Dafney on August 22, 2022, making him a free agent.[14]

Denver Broncos

On September 13, 2022, Dafney was signed to the Denver Broncos practice squad. He was released on October 10, 2022.[15]

Indianapolis Colts (second stint)

On December 20, 2022, Dafney was signed to the Indianapolis Colts practice squad.[16] He was released on December 29.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On January 23, 2023, Dafney signed a reserve/future contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[17] He was waived on August 28.[18]

Memphis Showboats

On February 21, 2024, Dafney signed with the Memphis Showboats of the United Football League (UFL).[19] He was waived on March 23.[20]

Carolina Panthers

On December 3, 2024, Dafney signed with the Carolina Panthers practice squad.[21]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Year Team Games Receiving Fumbles
G GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD FUM Lost
2020 GB 5 2 2 26 13.0 13 1 0 0
2021 GB 10 2 2 34 17.0 26 0 0 0
Total 15 4 4 60 15.0 26 1 0 0
Source: NFL.com

References

  1. ^ Leistikow, Chad (April 18, 2017). "Hawkeyes' WR shortage finds help from junior-college trio". USA Today. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  2. ^ "Camp Notebook: Fountain embraces chance to compete again". The Herald Bulletin. August 26, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  3. ^ "2020 NFL Draft Scout Dominique Dafney College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  4. ^ Hickey, Kevin (August 26, 2020). "Colts sign TE Dominique Dafney". USA Today. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  5. ^ "Dominique Dafney: Cut by Colts". CBSSports.com. RotoWire. September 8, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  6. ^ Huber, Bill (October 12, 2020). "Packers Add Versatile, Athletic Dafney to Practice Squad". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  7. ^ "Packers' Dominique Dafney: Rises to active roster". CBSSports.com. RotoWire. December 5, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  8. ^ "Packers activate RB AJ Dillon from the exempt/COVID-19 list". Packers.com. December 12, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  9. ^ Hodkiewicz, Wes (January 3, 2021). "Packers lock up No. 1 seed for NFC playoffs by beating Bears, 35–16". Packers.com. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  10. ^ "Packers place TE Dominique Dafney on injured reserve". Packers.com. September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  11. ^ Alper, Josh (October 28, 2021). "Packers activate Dominique Dafney from IR, call up Ben Braden from practice squad". Pro Football Talk. NBCSports.com. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  12. ^ Alper, Josh (April 19, 2022). "Packers re-sign six as offseason program gets going". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  13. ^ "Packers claim tight end off waivers from Carolina Panthers". packers.com. August 16, 2022. Archived from the original on August 31, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  14. ^ Kruse, Zach (August 22, 2022). "Packers reach injury settlement with TE Dominique Dafney". PackersWire. USAToday.com. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  15. ^ DiLalla, Aric (October 10, 2022). "Broncos promote WR Kendall Hinton to active roster, place three players on injured reserve". DenverBroncos.com.
  16. ^ "Colts Place RB Jonathan Taylor On Injured Reserve, Waive DE Ifeadi Odenigbo, Sign RB Jordan Wilkins To 53-Man Roster, Sign LB Cameron McGrone From New England Patriots' Practice Squad". Colts.com. December 20, 2022.
  17. ^ Smith, Scott (January 23, 2023). "Bucs Add TE Dominique Dafney on Futures Deal". Buccaneers.com.
  18. ^ Stroud, Rick (August 28, 2023). "Bucs release QB John Wolford, LB Patrick O'Connor, among others". Tampa Bay Times.
  19. ^ @UFL_PR (February 21, 2024). "The United Football League has agreed to terms with the following player" (Tweet). Retrieved February 21, 2024 – via Twitter.
  20. ^ "Memphis Showboats Announce Training Camp Roster Moves". UFLBoard.com. March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  21. ^ Rizzuti, Anthony (December 3, 2024). "Panthers announce flurry of practice-squad moves, including 4 additions". Panthers Wire. Retrieved December 4, 2024.