With the benching of Heinicke XFL alumni news was bit slower in the week 18 finale. While Donald Parham, DeMarquis Gates, and Elijah Campbell were the “headliners” for the final week of the NFL season, fans were slightly disappointed in not seeing fan favorites Taylor Heinicke and PJ Walker “spin it” one last time for the 2022-23 NFL Season.
Parham recorded 2 receptions for 31 yards on 35 snaps for the Chargers in week 18. With the Chargers heading to the playoffs this week it’s extremely exciting to see a former XFL player to get opportunity to shine in the postseason. DeMarquis Gates also participated in 12 snaps for the Bears in the season finale. Gates finishes the season playing in three games recording 1 tackle. Falcons emergency Quarterback Logan Woodside also made his debut for the 2022-23 NFL season. The former AAF Commanders QB participated in four snaps as the Falcons beat the Bucs in a meaningless divisional finale. Woodside recorded no statistics.
Godwin Igwebuike played in a season high 24 snaps in the finale. The Seahawks special teams ace continued an expanded role for the unit by recording a tackle and returning a kick for 29 yards. Igwebuike finishes the year with 315 All-Purpose Yards in 5 games played and is in prime position to challenge USFL MVP KaVontae Turpin for the Pro-Bowl in 2023.
Elijah Campbell started the season finale for the Dolphins in their week 18, vs the Jets. The former DC Defender participated in 26 snaps and did not record any statistics. He finishes the season with 16 games played and 12 tackles.
Roster Moves:
Austin Walter remains in the NFL as the Raiders signed the former Dallas Renegade to a futures deal. The XFL alum has amassed 104 yards on 27 carries in 9 games played in the NFL.
Former Tampa Bay Vipers Kicker Matthew Wright was signed by the Chiefs Practice Squad this week. Wright spent two games with the Chiefs earlier this year, and four games with the Steelers. He’s 15/18 on field goals and 15/15 on Extra Points.
Nate Meadors recent XFL supplemental draftee of the St. Louis Battlehawks was signed to the Titans Practice Squad on January 2nd. Meadors will join his 6th NFL since becoming a UDFA in 2019. Meadors will now have an exempt roster spot for Meadors moving forward.
Ferrod Gardner who was drafted by the DC Defenders was recently signed by the Commanders to their practice squad. Gardner was signed by the Commanders as an UDFA but was waived by Washington in August of 2022.
George Moore Offensive Tackle out of Oregon was recently signed by the Denver Broncos to their practice squad. Moore was a UDFA and spent part of training camp with the Dallas Cowboys and was on their Practice Squad for about a month. He was selected by the Arlington Renegades during the 2022 XFL supplemental draft.
Wrapping Up The 2022-23 NFL Season:
The XFL alumni saw some highs and lows during the NFL season. Leading the charge were Heinicke and PJ Walker, while others like Micah Abernathy, DeMarquis Gates, Donald Parham, and Godwin Igwebuike all contributed to teams throughout the season. With the XFL 3.0, gearing up with training camp going on right now, it’s clearly evident the NFL has a soft spot for alt-league alums and will continue to look to the league for “game-ready” talent for as long as the leagues operate.
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