The D.C. Defenders have added defensive tackle Roderick Henderson to their trenches as XFL teams continue to fine-tune their rosters in preparation for the 2023 regular season. The Defenders’ have claimed Henderson off waivers after he was released by the Vegas Vipers last week.
The space-eating standout nose tackle from Alabama State will wear #64 in Gregg Williams’s defense in D.C. Henderson is an ideal fit in the Defenders’ defensive scheme, which will feature multiple fronts out of a base 3-4 alignment. The one-upon-a-time 370-pound defensive tackle has lost a lot of weight since his college days. But at nearly 340 pounds, Henderson still profiled at nose tackle but can play at DT in the 4-3, if needed.
Montgomery's Top20 CFB Players: #5 Roderick "Ghost" Henderson High School: Carver College: Alabama State pic.twitter.com/lLGBKGavao
Roderick Henderson was most recently with the Vegas Vipers. A foot injury slowed Henderson in camp and led to Vegas releasing him last week. The Vipers drafted the former LA Wildcat in November in the front seven phase of the XFL Draft.
“Ghost” has spent time in his career with the Tennessee Titans and is no stranger to spring pro football, having stints in both the AAF and XFL 2020.
The Rock Teases Appearance At D.C. Defenders Opener On 2/19
The expectation is that XFL co-owners Dany Garcia and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson will be central figures during the final rampway to the upcoming 2023 season and on opening weekend.
So it’s no surprise that on social media, Dwayne Johnson has reached out to Defenders’ fans to tease his appearance at the Defenders home opener at Audi Field Sunday Night, February 19th, when D.C. squares off with the Seattle Sea Dragons. The game will air nationally at 8 pm ET on ESPN. The Rock will witness the Beer Snake’s return live in person.
I am a pro football writer who has extensively covered and reported on multiple leagues over the years. I started covering the XFL back in 2001. You can follow me on Twitter @byMikeMitchell
