Kevin Strong Explained

Kevin Strong
Position:Nose tackle
Birth Date:1996 8, mf=yes
Birth Place:Houston, Texas, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:4
Weight Lbs:295
High School:Cleveland
(Cleveland, Texas)
College:UTSA (2014–2018)
Undraftedyear:2019
Pastteams:
Highlights:
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:95
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statvalue2:3.5
Statlabel3:Forced fumbles
Statlabel4:Fumble recoveries
Statvalue4:1
Statlabel5:Pass deflections
Statvalue5:4
Pfr:S/StroKe00

Kevin Strong Jr. (born August 5, 1996) is an American professional football nose tackle. He played college football at UTSA before graduating in 2018. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Detroit Lions in 2019.

College career

Strong was a member of the UTSA Roadrunners for five seasons, redshirting his freshman year. As a junior, Strong was named second-team All-Conference USA after recording 27 tackles, seven tackles for loss and three sacks.[1] He finished his collegiate career with 106 tackles (26.5 for loss), 7.5 sacks, three pass deflections, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and two blocked kicks in 47 games played (40 starts).[2]

Professional career

Detroit Lions

Strong signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2019.[3] He made his NFL debut on September 8, 2019, against the Arizona Cardinals.[4] On November 12, 2019, Strong was placed on injured reserve after a season ending injury. He finished his rookie season with five tackles and a pass defended in eight games played.[5]

On September 5, 2020, Strong was waived by the Lions and signed to the practice squad the next day.[6] [7] He was elevated to the active roster on September 19 for the team's Week 2 game against the Green Bay Packers, and reverted to the practice squad after the game.[8] He was released by the Lions on November 11, 2020.[9] He re-signed to the practice squad on December 1, 2020,[10] and was promoted to the active roster the next day.[11] In Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings, Strong recorded his first career sack on Kirk Cousins during the 37–35 loss.[12]

On September 25, 2021, Strong was placed on injured reserve.[13] He was activated on November 2, 2021. He was waived on November 20.

Tennessee Titans

Strong signed with the Tennessee Titans' practice squad on November 23, 2021.[14] He was promoted to the active roster on January 8, 2022.[15]

Arizona Cardinals

On March 15, 2023, Strong signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals.[16] He was released on January 5, 2024.[17]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Luca . Greg . October 2, 2018 . UTSA's Strong seeing improvement after rough start to 2018 season . . September 12, 2019.
  2. Web site: Schlitt . Erik . August 14, 2019 . Lions Wire exclusive: Kevin Strong's path to his first NFL game . September 12, 2019 . Lions Wire . USA Publisher.
  3. Web site: May 10, 2019 . Lions sign 13 undrafted rookie free agents . September 11, 2019 . DetroitLions.com.
  4. Web site: Raven . Benjamin . September 9, 2019 . Snap counts: Lions Frank Ragnow returns to play every offensive snap on OL in Week 1 tie . September 11, 2019 . MLive.com.
  5. Web site: Schlitt . Erik . November 12, 2019 . Lions claim OT Dan Skipper off waivers, place DT Kevin Strong on IR . November 12, 2019 . Lions Wire . USA Today.
  6. Web site: September 5, 2020 . Lions announce roster moves . DetroitLions.com.
  7. Web site: September 6, 2020 . Lions establish practice squad . DetroitLions.com.
  8. News: Schlitt, Erik . September 19, 2020 . Lions elevate Kevin Strong and Dee Virgin to the active roster for Week 2 . USAToday.com . October 5, 2020.
  9. News: Schlitt, Erik . November 11, 2020 . Lions re-sign RB Dalyn Dawkins to practice squad, release DT Kevin Strong . USAToday.com . November 12, 2020.
  10. News: Schlitt, Erik . December 1, 2020 . Lions sign DT Kevin Strong to practice squad, protect him and three others in Week 13 . USAToday.com . January 9, 2021.
  11. Web site: December 2, 2020 . Lions announce roster moves . DetroitLions.com.
  12. Web site: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – January 3rd, 2021 . January 3, 2021 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  13. Web site: Schlitt . Erik . 2021-09-25 . Detroit Lions elevate K Ryan Santoso to active roster, place DL Kevin Strong on IR . 2023-01-27 . Pride Of Detroit . SB Nation . en.
  14. Web site: Wyatt . Jim . November 23, 2021 . Titans Make 13 Roster Moves – On the Active Roster, Practice Squad and Injured Reserve – On a Busy Tuesday . November 23, 2021 . TennesseeTitans.com.
  15. Web site: Wyatt . Jim . January 8, 2022 . Titans Promote DL Kevin Strong to the Active Roster While Waiving RB Jeremy McNichols . January 8, 2022 . TennesseeTitans.com.
  16. Web site: Kyzir White Agrees To Two-Year Deal With Cardinals. AZCardinals.com. March 15, 2023. Darren . Urban.
  17. Web site: Urban . Darren . Cardinals Move Dante Stills, D.J. Humphries To Injured Reserve . azcardinals.com . 6 January 2024.