Justin Zimmer

Last updated

Justin Zimmer
Justin Zimmer Bills blue.jpg
Zimmer with the Buffalo Bills in 2021
No. 92, 99, 61, 96
Position: Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1992-10-23) October 23, 1992 (age 31)
Greenville, Michigan, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:300 lb (136 kg)
Career information
High school: Greenville (MI)
College: Ferris State
Undrafted: 2016
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:35
Sacks:2.0
Forced fumbles:1
Player stats at PFR  ·  CFL.ca

Justin Zimmer (born October 23, 1992) is an American former professional football defensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons. He played college football at Ferris State University. Professionally, he has been a member of the Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, and Miami Dolphins of the NFL, in addition to the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Contents

College career

Zimmer played four seasons for the Ferris State Bulldogs, compiling a total of 216 tackles, 26 sacks, 48.5 tackles for a loss, 1 interception, 1 touchdown, 14 pass deflections, 9 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 3 blocked kicks. He was a three time first-team All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection, a two time Division II All-American, and a three time Division II Academic All-American. [1]

Professional career

Buffalo Bills (first stint)

Zimmer signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2016. [2] He was waived by the Bills on August 30, 2016. [3]

New Orleans Saints

On December 13, 2016, Zimmer was signed to the practice squad of the New Orleans Saints. [4] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Saints on January 2, 2017. [5] He was waived on September 2, 2017. [6]

Montreal Alouettes

Zimmer signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League on September 21, 2017, and was added to the team's practice roster. [7] He was promoted to the active roster and appeared in the Alouettes' final game of the season, recording three tackles and one sack. [8]

Atlanta Falcons

On April 17, 2018, Zimmer was signed by the Atlanta Falcons. [9] Zimmer made the Falcons' 53-man roster, and made his regular season debut in Week 3. [10] He was waived by the Falcons on October 2, 2018, and was re-signed to the practice squad. [11] [12] On December 4, 2018, Zimmer was signed to the Falcons’ 53-man roster. [13]

On August 31, 2019, Zimmer was waived by the Falcons and was signed to the practice squad the next day. [14] [15]

Cleveland Browns

On December 3, 2019, Zimmer was signed by the Cleveland Browns off the Falcons' practice squad. [16] The Browns waived Zimmer with a non-football injury designation on July 31, 2020. [17]

Buffalo Bills (second stint)

Zimmer greets Bills fans in 2021 NFL2021 - Washington Football Team at. Buffalo Bills 6 (51530858275).jpg
Zimmer greets Bills fans in 2021

On August 16, 2020, Zimmer signed with the Buffalo Bills. [18] He was waived on September 5, 2020, and signed to the practice squad the next day. [19] [20] He was elevated to the active roster on September 12 and October 19 for the team's weeks 1 and 6 games against the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs, and reverted to the practice squad the day after each game. [21] [22] He was signed to active roster on October 21. [23]

In Week 8 against the New England Patriots, Zimmer made a key play late in the fourth quarter, punching the ball out of Patriots quarterback Cam Newton's hands on a quarterback keeper as New England was driving down the field to either tie or win the game. The forced fumble and recovery by teammate Dean Marlowe sealed a 24–21 Bills win. [24] In Week 10 against the Arizona Cardinals, Zimmer recorded his first career sack on Kyler Murray during the 32–30 loss. [25] During the Bills' Divisional Round matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Zimmer recorded a top speed of 18.45 miles per hour on an interception return, which was the second fastest speed by a Defensive Tackle during the 2020-21 season.

During the 2021 season, Zimmer was placed on injured reserve with a season-ending knee injury on November 11. [26] He became a free agent after the season, but was re-signed to the Bills' practice squad on October 4, 2022. [27]

Miami Dolphins

On November 23, 2022, Zimmer was signed by the Miami Dolphins off the Bills' practice squad. [28] On December 31, Zimmer was placed on season–ending injured reserve with an undisclosed injury. [29]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steven Means</span> American football player (born 1990)

Steven Means is an American football outside linebacker who is a free agent. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL draft. He played college football for the University at Buffalo.

Deon L. Lacey is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at the University of West Alabama. He has been a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Edmonton Eskimos / Elks, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akeem King</span> American football player (born 1992)

Akeem Jerome King is a former American football cornerback. He played college football at San Jose State and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dean Marlowe</span> American football player (born 1992)

Dean Marlowe is an American football safety who is a free agent. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent following the 2015 NFL draft. He played college football at James Madison University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taveze Calhoun</span> American football player (born 1992)

Taveze Calhoun is a former American football cornerback. He played college football at Mississippi State.

Jonathan Woodard is a former American football defensive end. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL draft. He played college football at Central Arkansas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DeShawn Williams</span> American gridiron football player (born 1992)

DeShawn Shamaine Williams is an American professional football defensive end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Clemson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garrison Smith</span> American football player (born 1991)

Garrison Smith is a former American football defensive tackle. He played college football at Georgia. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Miami Dolphins in 2014, and has also played for the New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, and Arizona Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandin Bryant</span> American football player (born 1993)

Brandin Bryant is a children’s book author and American football defensive end who is a free agent. He played college football at Florida Atlantic and was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2016. Brandin published his debut children’s book “So, You Want To Be an Athlete?” in January 2024.

Vincent Taylor is a former American football defensive tackle. He played college football at Oklahoma State. Taylor has played professionally for the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, and Houston Texans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joey Ivie</span> American football player (born 1995)

Alfred Joseph Ivie IV is a former American football defensive tackle. He played college football at the University of Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryan Cox Jr.</span> American football player (born 1994)

Bryan Keith Cox Jr. is an American professional football defensive end for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eli Ankou</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1994)

Eli Ankou is a Canadian professional football defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at UCLA. Ankou grew up in Canada and played high school football for the St. Peter Catholic High School Knights in Orleans, Ontario, but played his senior season at Red Lion Christian Academy in Bear, Delaware.

Quentin Poling is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Ohio.

Niles Scott is an American football nose tackle for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Frostburg State.

Christopher Jon Slayton is an American football defensive end who is a free agent. He played college football at Syracuse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cam Lewis</span> American football player (born 1997)

Cameron Lewis is an American professional football cornerback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He played college football at the University at Buffalo.

Christopher Lamar Lammons is an American professional football cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at South Carolina.

Dylan Mabin is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at Fordham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prince Emili</span> American football player (born 1997)

Prince Emili is an American professional football defensive tackle who is a free agent. He played college football at Penn.

References

  1. ↑ Scheldt, Marshall (May 1, 2016). "Justin Zimmer signs with Bills". The Ferris State Torch. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  2. ↑ Florio, Mike (May 2, 2016). "Bills announce deals with 14 undrafted free agents". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  3. ↑ Brown, Chris (August 30, 2016). "Reserve/PUP for Shaq Lawson; WR Little among cuts to get to 75". BuffaloBills.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  4. ↑ Dabe, Christopher (December 13, 2016). "New Orleans Saints sign defensive tackle Justin Zimmer to practice squad". NOLA.com. The Times-Picayune . Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  5. ↑ Hendrix, John (January 2, 2017). "New Orleans Saints sign seven players to reserve/future deals". CanalStreetChronicles.com. SB Nation . Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  6. ↑ "New Orleans Saints make 37 roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. September 2, 2017. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  7. ↑ Wallner, Peter (September 21, 2017). "Former Ferris State standout Justin Zimmer signs with CFL team". The Grand Rapids Press . MLive.com. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  8. ↑ Woodroof, Cory (April 17, 2018). "Falcons sign ex-Seahawks DT Garrison Smith, DT Justin Zimmer, CB Tyson Graham". TheFalcoholic.com. SB Nation . Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  9. ↑ McFadden, Will (April 17, 2018). "Falcons announce signing of three defensive players". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Justin Zimmer Career Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  11. ↑ Conway, Kelsey (October 2, 2018). "Falcons sign former Jaguars' defensive tackle Michael Bennett". AtlantaFalcons.com.
  12. ↑ Conway, Kelsey (October 4, 2018). "Falcons sign defensive tackle Justin Zimmer to practice squad, waive cornerback Taveze Calhoun". AtlantaFalcons.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  13. ↑ Tabeek, Matthew (December 4, 2018). "Falcons place Josh Harris on injured reserve, promote Justin Zimmer to active roster". AtlantaFalcons.com. Archived from the original on December 5, 2018. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  14. ↑ McFadden, Will (August 31, 2019). "Falcons 2019 roster announced". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  15. ↑ McFadden, Will (September 1, 2019). "Falcons sign seven players to practice squad". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  16. ↑ "Browns sign DT Justin Zimmer, make other roster moves". ClevelandBrowns.com. December 3, 2019.
  17. ↑ "Browns release 4 players". ClevelandBrowns.com. July 31, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Bills sign DTs Justin Zimmer and Tanzel Smart". BuffaloBills.com. August 16, 2020.
  19. ↑ Brown, Chris (September 5, 2020). "Bills announce these moves to get to the 53-man roster limit". BuffaloBills.com.
  20. ↑ "Bills announce the initial 2020 practice squad". BuffaloBills.com. September 6, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Cam Lewis, Justin Zimmer elevated from practice squad for Jets game". BuffaloBills.com. September 12, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  22. ↑ @BuffaloBills (October 19, 2020). "We've elevated DE Bryan Cox, Jr. and DT Justin Zimmer for tonight's game. #KCvsBUF" (Tweet). Retrieved October 31, 2020– via Twitter.
  23. ↑ "Bills promote DT Justin Zimmer to the 53-man roster". BuffaloBills.com. October 21, 2020.
  24. ↑ Reporter, Jay Skurski News Sports (November 1, 2020). "10 observations: Justin Zimmer's forced fumble saves the day for Bills". The Buffalo News. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Buffalo Bills at Arizona Cardinals - November 15th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Bills sign Cam Lewis to 53-man roster; Justin Zimmer place on injured reserve + other moves announced". BuffaloBills.com. November 11, 2021.
  27. ↑ Boccachino, John; Warren, Matt (March 16, 2022). "2022 NFL Free Agency: Bills tender OG Ryan Bates, but not DT Justin Zimmer". buffalorumblings.com. Vox Media, LLC. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Miami Dolphins sign Zimmer". MiamiDolphins.com. November 23, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Dolphins make a flurry of roster moves ahead of Patriots game". dolphinswire.usatoday.com. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.