Darius Jennings Explained
Darius Lamar Jennings[1] (born June 28, 1992) is a former American football wide receiver and return specialist. He played college football at Virginia and was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent. Jennings was also a member of the Chicago Bears, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers, and Detroit Lions.
Early life
Darius Lamar Jennings was born to Lawrence and Dana Jennings on June 28, 1992, in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended and played high school football at The Gilman School while also lettering in basketball and track.[2]
College career
Jennings finished his collegiate career with 133 receptions for 1,667 yards and 11 touchdowns in 49 games and 28 starts.[3] He ranked #1 all-time in kick return yards with 1,839.[4]
Jennings majored in sociology.[4]
College statistics
Professional career
Cleveland Browns
2015 season
Jennings signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in May 2015.[5] He started the season on the practice squad and was promoted to the active roster in early December.[6] Jennings was waived by the Browns on December 16, 2015,[7] but was re-signed on December 22.[8]
Jennings finished his rookie season with 14 receptions for 117 yards to go along with seven returns for 158 yards in four games and one start.[9] [10]
2016 season
On April 4, 2016, the Browns re-signed Jennings.[11] On September 3, 2016, he was released.[12] The next day, Jennings was signed to the Browns' practice squad.[13] He was released again on October 6, 2016.[14]
Chicago Bears
On October 10, 2016, Jennings was signed to the Chicago Bears' practice squad.[15] He was released by the Bears on November 22, 2016.[16]
New York Jets
On December 6, 2016, Jennings was signed to the New York Jets' practice squad.[17] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Jets on January 2, 2017.[18] On April 26, 2017, Jennings was waived by the Jets.[19]
Tennessee Titans
2017 season
On May 19, 2017, Jennings signed with the Tennessee Titans.[20] He was waived on September 2, 2017, and was signed to the Titans' practice squad the next day.[21] [22] He was promoted to the active roster on September 23, 2017.[23] He was waived on November 25, 2017, and was re-signed back to the practice squad.[24]
2018 season
Jennings signed a reserve/future contract with the Titans on January 15, 2018.[25]
During the season-opening 27-20 road loss to the Miami Dolphins, Jennings scored his first NFL touchdown after returning a 94-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter.[26] During a Week 9 28-14 road victory over the Dallas Cowboys, Jennings had a 36-yard reception despite three defenders around him in the second quarter to go along with 23 return yards.[27] In the next game against the New England Patriots, Jennings returned the opening kickoff for 58 yards and recorded a 21-yard pass completion to quarterback Marcus Mariota, the first of his career as the Titans won 34–10.[28] [29]
Jennings finished the 2018 season with 22 returns for 698 yards and a touchdown to go along with 11 receptions for 101 yards and a two-yard rush in 16 games and no starts.[30] His 31.7 yards set a franchise record for average kickoff returns that also led the NFL.[31]
2019 season
Jennings was released by the Titans on October 31, 2019.[32] Prior to his release, Jennings caught two passes for 17 yards and returned seven kicks for 147 yards.[33] He was re-signed on December 23, 2019.[34] In the regular-season finale against the Houston Texans, Jennings returned two kicks for 49 yards.[35]
In the postseason, Jennings returned three kicks for 60 yards before the Titans lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game by a score of 35-24.
Los Angeles Chargers
On March 30, 2020, Jennings was signed by the Los Angeles Chargers.[36] He was released on September 5, 2020.[37]
Detroit Lions
On August 9, 2021, Jennings signed with the Detroit Lions.[38] He was released on August 23, 2021.
NFL statistics
Legend |
---|
| Led the league |
Bold | Career-high | |
Regular season
Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Rushing | Returning | Fumbles |
---|
GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost |
---|
| | 4 | 1 | 14 | 117 | 8.4 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 158 | 22.6 | 28 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
---|
| | 16 | 0 | 11 | 101 | 9.2 | 36 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 | 0 | 22 | 698 | 31.7 | 94T | 1 | 0 | 0 |
---|
| | 8 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 8.5 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 196 | 21.8 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
---|
Career | 27 | 1 | 27 | 235 | 8.7 | 36 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 | 0 | 38 | 1,052 | 27.7 | 94T | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
---|
Postseason
Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Rushing | Returning | Fumbles |
---|
GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost |
---|
| | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 60 | 20.0 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
---|
Career | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 60 | 20.0 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
---|
Personal life
During the 2018 offseason, Jennings took part in the NFLPA’s Externship Program with Events DC and Under Armour. He helps out with "Next One Up," an organization helping inner-city high school athletes in Baltimore. Jannings also worked as a camp counselor at his alma mater, The Gilman (Md.) School, helping middle schoolers with classwork and activities. He has two brothers, Dimitrius Jones Jr. and Deon Jennings.[39]
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Darius Jennings Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . 2023-12-29 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
- Web site: Bracken . Matt . Gilman's Darius Jennings keeping busy . December 17, 2010 . baltimoresun.com . March 25, 2010 . en-US . December 16, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181216074453/https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2010-03-gilmans_darius_jennings_keeping_busy-story.html . dead .
- Web site: Darius Jennings College Stats . October 3, 2015 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
- Web site: Tennessee Titans Media Guide . 14 April 2024 . 2018.
- http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-browns-sign-former-virginia-wide-receiver-darius-jennings-gilman-following-minicamp-tryout-20150511-story.html Browns sign former Virginia wide receiver Darius Jennings (Gilman) following minicamp tryout
- http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/12/05/browns-promote-wr-darius-jennings/ Browns promote WR Darius Jennings
- Web site: Mary Kay Cabot . December 16, 2015 . Mike Pettine says Browns fought vs. 49ers 'and I don't know if I sensed that same attitude from the other side' . December 19, 2015 . www.cleveland.com . Northeast Ohio Media Group LLC.
- Web site: December 22, 2015 . Browns re-sign WR Darius Jennings, place OL John Greco on injured reserve . December 24, 2015 . ClevelandBrowns.com . Cleveland Browns.
- Web site: January 5, 2016 . Browns' Darius Jennings: Provides depth in late-season games . January 16, 2016 . CBS Sports.
- Web site: Darius Jennings 2015 Game Log . January 8, 2016 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
- Web site: April 4, 2016 . Browns sign restricted free agents and exclusive rights players . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20171107004416/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-sign-restricted-free-agents-and-exclusive-rights-players/25b7656a-a143-4555-a005-89b7fc6bde37 . November 7, 2017 . April 10, 2016 . ClevelandBrowns.com.
- Web site: Gribble . Andrew . September 3, 2016 . Cleveland Browns reduce roster to 53 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170809090938/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Cleveland-Browns-reduce-roster-to-53/5a61e8ac-86b6-4a03-925c-c546358aaa86 . August 9, 2017 . ClevelandBrowns.com.
- Web site: September 4, 2016 . Browns claim 5 players, sign 4 to practice squad . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170824094014/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-claim-5-players-sign-4-to-practice-squad/a95c38d8-8690-446a-b808-ebd134e55f44 . August 24, 2017 . ClevelandBrowns.com.
- Web site: October 5, 2016 . Browns sign DL Gabe Wright to practice squad . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170102111431/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-sign-DL-Gabe-Wright-to-practice-squad/237678a3-bee1-45a3-a13e-9ab030e630a4 . January 2, 2017 . ClevelandBrowns.com.
- Web site: Mayer, Larry . October 10, 2016 . Bears elevate Bausby, waive Hurst . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170102111655/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-rostermoves/Bears-elevate-Bausby-waive-Hurst/bc15c261-5890-429a-9057-0ced01970877 . January 2, 2017 . ChicagoBears.com.
- Web site: Emma, Chris . November 22, 2016 . Bears Sign De'Vante Bausby To Active Roster, Dres Anderson To Practice Squad . Chicago.CBSlocal.com.
- Web site: Allen, Eric . December 6, 2016 . Jets Waive C.J. Spiller and Jeremy Ross . NewYorkJets.com.
- Web site: January 2, 2017 . Jets Sign 5 Players to Reserve/Future Deals . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170904112120/http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-randylangefb/Jets-Sign-5-Players-to-ReserveFuture-Deals/7ba6d33b-5182-4c9a-b9be-ff89c44ba6a1 . September 4, 2017 . NewYorkJets.com.
- Web site: Allen, Eric . April 26, 2017 . Jets Waive Six Players . NewYorkJets.com.
- Web site: Wyatt, Jim . May 19, 2017 . Titans Add Receiver, Fullback to Roster . TitansOnline.com.
- Web site: Wyatt, Jim . September 2, 2017 . Titans Down to 53 Players: A Position-by-Position Look . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206112407/http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-4/Titans-Down-to-53-Players-A-Position-by-Position-Look/d201b599-31f7-4441-8f65-948795805f04 . February 6, 2018 . TitansOnline.com.
- Web site: Wyatt, Jim . September 3, 2017 . Titans Add Eight Players to Practice Squad . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180208182923/http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-4/Titans-Add-Eight-Players-to-Practice-Squad/79a0f2c4-51e4-4704-bf1c-1e4a9c174ce8 . February 8, 2018 . TitansOnline.com.
- Web site: Wyatt, Jim . September 23, 2017 . Titans Promote WR Darius Jennings, Release WR Zach Pascal . TitansOnline.com.
- Web site: Wyatt, Jim . November 25, 2017 . Titans Activate WR Harry Douglas to 53-Man Roster . TitansOnline.com.
- Web site: Wyatt, Jim . January 15, 2018 . Titans Sign 10 Players to Futures Contracts . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180118070711/http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-4/Titans-Sign-10-Players-to-Futures-Contracts/0f7eea89-be52-4cad-b161-1d335b6a338c . January 18, 2018 . TitansOnline.com.
- News: Titans' Darius Jennings: Returns kickoff for touchdown . en . CBSSports.com . October 3, 2018.
- Web site: RotoWire Staff . November 6, 2018 . Titans' Daruis Jennings: Hauls in 36-yard reception . November 8, 2018 . CBSSports.com.
- Web site: Darius Jennings returns opening kickoff for 58 yards . December 18, 2018 . NFL.com . en.
- Web site: New England Patriots at Tennessee Titans – November 11th, 2018 . December 18, 2018 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
- Web site: Darius Jennings 2018 Game Log . January 1, 2019 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
- Web site: December 30, 2018 . Titans-Colts Postgame Notes . January 1, 2019 . TitansOnline.com.
- Web site: Wyatt, Jim . October 31, 2019 . Roster Move: Titans Re-Sign OL Hroniss Grasu, Release WR Darius Jennings . October 31, 2019 . TitansOnline.com . October 31, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191031164358/https://www.titansonline.com/news/roster-move-titans-re-sign-ol-hroniss-grasu-release-wr-darius-jennings . dead .
- Web site: Darius Jennings 2019 Game Log . January 20, 2020 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
- Web site: Wyatt, Jim . December 23, 2019 . Titans Bring Back Receiver/Returner Darius Jennings, and Promote WR Rashard Davis to 53-Man Roster . TitansOnline.com.
- Web site: Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans – December 29th, 2019 . December 31, 2019 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
- Web site: March 30, 2020 . Los Angeles Chargers Sign Wide Receiver Darius Jennings . Chargers.com.
- Web site: September 5, 2020 . We've Trimmed Our Roster to 53 . Chargers.com.
- Web site: Schlitt . Erik . 2021-08-09 . Lions activate Jalen Reeves-Maybin from reserve/COVID-19 list, sign & cut 1 player . 2023-12-29 . Pride Of Detroit . SB Nation . en.
- Web site: Wyatt, Jim . April 16, 2019 . Darius Jennings . TitansOnline.com.