Renegades RB Austin Walter Signs With 49ers Practice Squad

The NFL’s San Francisco 49ers had a bad weekend, in terms of players suffering injuries. Of the long list of guys hurt last Sunday, the top two RBs, Raheem Mostert, and Tevin Coleman, are out for at least the next three weeks. To add depth, the 49ers have signed Renegades RB Austin Walter to the practice squad.

Known more for his pass-catching ability and return skills, Walter was an undrafted free-agent in 2019 out of Rice, where he amassed over 2,000 all-purpose yards, and 10 TDs his senior season. Signed by the Niners and the Giants, but only appeared in one game for New York.

Last season, the XFL’s Dallas Renegades picked up Walter in the supplemental draft, just before training camp. He didn’t see much action in the offense since the team already had Lance Dunbar and Cameron Artis-Payne, but he would make his presence known on special teams.

Here is the 97-yard kick return for a touchdown in the Renegades final game of the 2020 season:

With an offseason like the NFL has had, so unlike any other, having a spring football league so guys can show they do have the talent to be in the NFL was so important. Unlike any other player, either from college, or a free agent, the XFL players were the last to be on the field.

So far, that’s paid dividends for more than a few XFL players. The Browns just signed New York Guardians Kicker Matthew McCrane, they join over 20 players in the league at the moment. 4 of which are on active rosters.

Walter is yet another example of how important the XFL is, and why current ownership is working so methodically at making sure they bring it back in the best way possible, for it to succeed long-term.

For the Love of Football.