15 VFLs Represent Eight Franchises in 2021 NFL Playoffs

Saints RB Alvin Kamara / Credit: UT Athletics

15 VFLs Represent Eight Franchises in 2021 NFL Playoffs

Saints RB Alvin Kamara / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A total of 15 VFLs will represent eight franchises in the 2021 NFL Playoffs after the conclusion of the regular season on Sunday.

The New Orleans Saints roster features four VFLs, highlighted by four-time Pro Bowler Alvin Kamara. The fourth-year running back has gained a career-high 932 rushing yards and 756 yards receiving, including a record-breaking Christmas Day performance. Kamara leads the league in touchdowns with 21 on the year.

Wide receiver Marquez Callaway and defensive tackle Shy Tuttle are also on New Orleans’ active roster, while tight end Ethan Wolf is on the practice squad.

Four-time Pro Bowler and VFL Cordarrelle Patterson represents the Volunteers for the Chicago Bears. The return specialist has appeared in all 16 games this season, leading the league in kick returns (35) and kickoff return yards (1,017). He is tied for kickoff return touchdowns (1) and holds the record for the longest kickoff return this season (104).

Patterson is joined on the Bears’ active roster by fellow VFL defensive tackle Daniel McCullers, while quarterback Tyler Bray is on the practice squad.

The Saints and Bears square off at 4:40 p.m. ET Sunday in New Orleans live on CBS.

When the Cleveland Browns defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 17, it set up a first-round rematch of the two squads on Sunday at 8:15 p.m. ET on NBC for three VFLs.

Cornerback Cameron Sutton and quarterback Joshua Dobbs represent the Steelers, while running back John Kelly is on the Browns’ practice squad. Sutton has 30 tackles and one interception on the year. Dobbs saw his first action in week 17 against the Browns.

Long snapper Morgan Cox serves as the UT representative in the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans matchup on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. ET in Nashville. The four-time Pro Bowl selection is joined by fellow VFL Nigel Warrior on the Ravens’ practice squad, while punter Trevor Daniel is on the Titans practice squad.

UT will also have a footprint in the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks matchup as VFL Jacques McClendon serves as the Director of Player Engagement for the Rams. Defensive end Darrell Taylor, a 2020 second round draft pick, is on injured reserve for Seattle.

VFLs in the NFL Playoffs 
Tyler Bray, QB – Bears (practice squad)
Marquez Callaway, WR – Saints (active)
Morgan Cox, LS – Ravens (active)
Trevor Daniel, P – Titans (practice squad)
Joshua Dobbs, QB – Steelers (active)
Alvin Kamara, RB – Saints (active)
John Kelly, RB – Browns (practice squad)
Jacques McClendon, Director of Player Engagement – Rams
Daniel McCullers, NT – Bears (active)
Cordarrelle Patterson, WR – Bears (active)
Cameron Sutton, CB – Steelers (active)
Darrell Taylor, DE – Seahawks (injured reserve)
Shy Tuttle, DT – Saints (active)
Nigel Warrior, S – Ravens (practice squad)
Ethan Wolf, TE – Saints (practice squad)

-UT Athletics

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