As the season marches on, take a look at the Thunderbirds on NFL rosters:
LeShaun Sims – CB, Tennessee Titans
Sims continues to play consistently on special teams, but has yet to see time at cornerback on defense.
He continues to backup Malcolm Butler, but is also competing for playing time behind Adoree’ Jackson and nickel cornerback Logan Ryan.
Playing time is few and far between among those standout DBs, and the lack of playing time might be discouraging. The NFL is a constantly changing league, and opportunities constantly arise out of nothing from injuries or lack of production, so Sims might be able to see the field in the upcoming weeks.
Since Week 4, he has only recorded one total tackle during the Titans’ three game losing streak.
Sims now has four total tackles on the season, two solo and two assisted.
Miles Killebrew – LB/DB, Detroit Lions
Killebrew, the only other T-Bird on an official 53-man NFL roster, continues to serve as the backup to Lions’ starting free safety Glover Quin, according to detroitlions.com.
Killebrew has struggled to find playing time for new head coach Matt Patricia, but has proved to be a versatile player with his ability to switch between the defensive backfield and the front seven.
While playing on special teams, Killebrew picked up another tackle in the Lions’ 32-21 win over the Miami Dolphins. On the season, Killebrew now has two total tackles, one solo and one assisted.
As the season winds down and injuries pile up, Killebrew’s versatility makes it much more likely for him to find the field in the upcoming weeks.
James Cowser — LB/DL, Oakland Raiders
Cowser was signed to the Raiders practice squad on Monday, according to the Raiders’ Twitter account. The FCS’s all-time career sacks leader has been on the Raiders’ 53-man roster the past two seasons, but was cut prior to the start of this season. The Raiders are among the league’s worst defenses after trading star pass rusher Khalil Mack, and it appears the Raiders will be giving Cowser a second chance to recreate the production he had in college.
Other T-Birds yet to sign with an NFL team: (per nfl.com)
Raysean Pringle, DB
Josh Thornton, DB
Mike Needham, LB
Story by: Kurt Meacham
kurtleymeacham@gmail.com
Photo courtesy of: Mike Needham
