Dane Cruikshank Explained

Dane Cruikshank should not be confused with Dan Cruickshank.

Dane Cruikshank
Current Team:Atlanta Falcons
Number:37
Position:Safety
Birth Date:27 April 1995
Birth Place:Chino Hills, California, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lb:209
College:Arizona
Draftyear:2018
Draftround:5
Draftpick:152
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Statleague:NFL
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:66
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statlabel3:Forced fumbles
Statvalue3:1
Statlabel4:Fumble recoveries
Statlabel5:Interceptions
Statvalue5:1
Statlabel6:Pass deflections
Statvalue6:2
Statlabel7:Total touchdowns
Statvalue7:1
Pfr:CruiDa00

Dane Ashton Cruikshank (born April 27, 1995) is an American football safety for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Arizona.[1] Cruikshank was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft.

College career

Cruikshank majored in general studies at Arizona after playing at Citrus College for the 2013 and 2014 seasons.[2] He was named first-team all-state.[3]

He redshirted the 2015 season at Arizona.

As a redshirt junior in 2016, he played cornerback, tying the team lead in interceptions with two, finishing fourth in total tackles with 60 and second in pass breakups with seven.

As a redshirt senior in 2017, he switched to safety, ranking fifth on the team with 75 total tackles, tying for second in interceptions with three and ranking third in pass breakups with five.

Professional career

Tennessee Titans (first stint)

2018 season

Cruikshank was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fifth round (152nd overall) of the 2018 NFL draft.[4] On May 11, 2018, he signed a four-year contract worth $2,747,892 with $287,892 in guarantees.[5]

On September 16, 2018, he scored his first NFL touchdown on a fake punt against the Houston Texans by hauling in a 66-yard reception from Kevin Byard. Cruikshank was named American Football Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in the 20–17 victory.[6]

Cruikshank finished his rookie year with 11 tackles, 39 return yards, 66 receiving yards, and a touchdown.

2019 season

On December 1, 2019, vs the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium, Cruikshank blocked a fourth-quarter field goal attempt by Adam Vinatieri, which backup cornerback Tye Smith scooped up and took 63 yards for a go-ahead touchdown that sent Tennessee on its way to a 31–17 victory.[7]

“We take special teams very seriously over here,” Cruikshank said following the game. “Everybody takes advantage of their opportunities and I rose to the occasion (Sunday) and made the best of it.”[8]

2020 season

On September 6, 2020, Cruikshank was placed on injured reserve.[9] He was activated on October 24, 2020.[10] In week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cruikshank recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by Ben Roethlisberger during the 27–24 loss.[11] He was placed back on injured reserve on November 11, ending his season.[12]

2021 season

Cruikshank was placed on injured reserve after missing a week of practice with a knee injury on November 13, 2021.[13] He was activated on December 11.[14]

Chicago Bears

On March 31, 2022, Cruikshank signed with the Chicago Bears.[15] He was placed on injured reserve on November 30.[16]

New York Jets

On July 20, 2023, Cruikshank signed with the New York Jets.[17] He was released on August 25.[18]

Tennessee Titans (second stint)

On September 25, 2023, Cruikshank signed with the practice squad of the Tennessee Titans.[19] He was released on November 7.[20]

Atlanta Falcons

On May 13, 2024, Cruikshank signed with the Atlanta Falcons.[21]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Titans trade up again, draft DB Dane Cruikshank; QB Luke Falk with 'Tom Brady' pick. Tennessean.com. April 28, 2018.
  2. Web site: Dane Cruikshank profile. arizonawildcats.com. June 26, 2018.
  3. Web site: Dane Cruikshank . TitansOnline.com . August 2, 2019.
  4. Web site: Titans Pick Arizona Safety Dane Cruikshank in NFL Draft. https://web.archive.org/web/20180429050612/http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-4/Titans-Pick-Arizona-Safety-Dane-Cruikshank-in-NFL-Draft/83461d8a-05c9-4b6e-b595-dd5fc2ee5edb. dead. April 29, 2018. TitansOnline.com. April 28, 2018. July 8, 2018.
  5. Web site: Dane Cruikshank. OverTheCap.com. July 27, 2018.
  6. Web site: Mahomes, Fitzpatrick among NFL Players of Week . Knoblauch . Austin . September 19, 2018 . NFL.com.
  7. Web site: Blocked field goal helps Titans turn table with win at Indy . December 1, 2019 . . December 1, 2019.
  8. News: Cruikshank Personifies Titans' Persistence on Special Teams. Sports Illustrated Tennessee Titans News, Analysis and More .
  9. Web site: Wyatt . Jim . Titans Agree to Terms with RB Senorise Perry, CB Chris Milton . tennesseetitans.com . Tennessee Titans . 8 September 2020.
  10. News: Williams, Charean . Titans activate Dane Cruikshank from injured reserve . NBCSports.com . October 24, 2020 . November 8, 2020.
  11. Web site: Pittsburgh Steelers at Tennessee Titans – October 25th, 2020 . October 29, 2020 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  12. Web site: Titans Activate CB Adoree' Jackson from Injured Reserve, But He Won't Play vs. Colts. Wyatt, Jim. TennesseeTitans.com. November 11, 2020.
  13. Web site: Titans Activate CB Kristian Fulton From Injured Reserve, Place WR Julio Jones on IR in a Flurry of Roster Moves. Wyatt, Jim. TennesseeTitans.com. November 13, 2021. November 13, 2021.
  14. Web site: Titans Activate WR Julio Jones, WR Racey McMath and S Dane Cruikshank from Injured Reserve. Wyatt, Jim. TennesseeTitans.com. December 11, 2021.
  15. Web site: Roster Move: Bears sign safety Dane Cruikshank. Mayer, Larry. ChicagoBears.com. March 31, 2022.
  16. Web site: Roster Moves: Bears sign QB Tim Boyle, DL Andrew Brown. Hajduk, Gabby. ChicagoBears.com. November 30, 2022.
  17. Web site: Jets Sign WR Alex Erickson and S Dane Cruikshank. Greenberg, Ethan. NewYorkJets.com. July 20, 2023.
  18. Web site: Jets Release S Dane Cruikshank . 2023-08-25 . NewYorkJets.com . en-US.
  19. Web site: Titans sign Dane Cruikshank to the practice squad . 2023-09-26 . USAToday.com .
  20. Web site: Wyatt . Jim . Titans Waive DL Naquan Jones While Also Doing Some Practice Squad Shuffling . TennesseeTitans.com . November 7, 2023.
  21. Web site: Falcons sign TE Ross Dwelley plus 3 rookie minicamp tryout players . 2024-05-13 . AtlantaFalcons.com . en-US.