A bit of good news for fans of the USFL this week. Despite the league seeing one of their former players lose their spot on the Carolina practice squad, USFL fans got to see Tucker Addington make his 2022 debut in addition to KaVontae Turpin be named to his first pro bowl. For USFL fans Addington becomes the 11th player to make their 2022 debut, while Turpin becomes the first USFL player to be named to a pro bowl for the second iteration of the league.

Turpin Time was put on hold this week once again. Despite being named to the pro bowl the former New Jersey General only recorded one return for thirty-one yards, in week 16. Turpin did make a cameo on a reverse pass back to Dak Prescott during his 5 snaps on offense during the Cowboys week 16 victory. Turpin currently sits at 744 All-Purpose Yards with 2 weeks left in the regular season to eclipse 1000 total yards in his rookie season.

Tucker Addington was signed to the 53-Man Roster and made his NFL debut this week. The former Houston Gambler replaced Patriots Ironman Joe Cardona, as the Patriots continue to try and stay alive for the 2022 NFL Post Season. Addington appeared in 8 snaps during his 2022 Debut. He became the 11th USFL player to make his 2022 NFL debut this year.

Roster Moves

Tae Hayes was released for the 2nd time this season on the 20th of December by the Carolina Panthers. Hayes has bounced all around the practice squad and active roster for the Panthers, since getting waived during the 2022 training camp. In 2022 Hayes has appeared in five games totaling three tackles.

Former Michigan Panthers WR Lance Lenoir signs with the LA Rams. The Rams who now have seen Ben Skowronek on the injury report due to a calf injury are bringing in Lance Lenoir to finish out the season with the team. Lenoir was the number one receiver for the Panthers in 2022 leading the USFL in receptions and earned a contract with the Eagles during training camp of 2022. With three weeks of the NFL season left it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Lenoir garner a late season appearance for a depleted Rams receiving corps.

As the 2022 NFL season winds down, the USFL should be proud of what they been able to accomplish in helping their players transition to the NFL and extend their careers. Most recently the USFL saw Brock Miller become the 57th player to join league as the Punter signed with the Rams on the 26th of December. Currently 22 USFL alumni remain on NFL payrolls with 11 seeing playing time. Moving forward it appears that the USFL can utilize this momentum to allow NFL-Level free agents that they are able to recruit and attract high level players to continue to build this league.