NFL CAREER – Healthy after rehabbing from lower leg injuries the last three years that hampered him, Justin Evans enters 2022 looking to compete for a roster spot with the New Orleans Saints. The former Texas A&M standout previously spent two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he appeared in 24 games with 21 starts. For his career, Evans has recorded 124 tackles (92 solo), four interceptions, eight passes, a 34-yard fumble return for a touchdown and two special teams stops.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Agreed to terms with Saints, 4/4/22; Waived by Buccaneers, 12/23/20; Activated from PUP by Buccaneers, 12/23/20; Placed on PUP by Buccaneers, 9/5/20; Placed on Injured Reserve by Buccaneers, 9/10/19; Placed by Buccaneers on Injured Reserve, 12/18/18; Placed by Buccaneers on Injured Reserve, 12/20/17; Signed by Buccaneers to a four-year contract, 5/25/17. Selected by the Buccaneers in the second round (50th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.
2021 – Spent season out of football. 2020 – Spent first four months of season on Reserve/PUP with Buccaneers. 2019 – Spent season on Injured Reserve (Achilles). 2018 – Started all 10 games he played, recording 59 tackles, including one for loss, one interception, two passes defensed, and one fumble recovery that he returned 34 yards for a touchdown…Posted five tackles and first career fumble recovery, which he returned 34 yards for a TD, in season-opening win at New Orleans, Sept. 9…Served as captain in win vs. Philadelphia, Sept. 16, recording six tackles and one pass defensed, which ended an Eagles drive in Buccaneers territory…Intercepted Ben Roethlisberger and posted six tackles vs. Pittsburgh, Sept. 24…Logged four tackles, including one for loss, at Atlanta, Oct. 14…Tied for team lead with eight tackles, in win vs. Cleveland, Oct. 21…Tied for team lead with eight stops, vs. Cincinnati, Oct. 28...Registered seven tackles at Carolina, Nov. 4…Led team with career-high nine tackles vs. Washington, Nov. 11…Recorded two tackles in win vs. Carolina, Dec. 2, before leaving game with toe injury…Inactive Weeks 13-14 due to recurring toe injury…Placed on Injured Reserve, Dec. 18. 2017 – Started all ten games he played in and posted 59 tackles (43 solo), three interceptions, tied for fourth among NFL rookies six passes defensed and two special teams stops…Recorded a special teams tackle in NFL debut vs. Chicago, Sept. 17…Against New England on Thursday Night Football, Oct. 5, made first career start, recording nine tackles and his first career interception. He was the first rookie to intercept Tom Brady since 2014 (NYJ CB Marcus Williams)...Led team with career-high eight tackles, including one for loss, at Atlanta, Nov. 26.
COLLEGE – Spent two seasons at Texas A&M (2015-16), totaling 165 tackles (six for loss), 14 passes defensed and five interceptions, while returning 17 kickoffs for 474 yards (27.9 average)…As a senior (2016), was a second-team All-SEC selection and a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award (given annually to the best defensive back in the nation) after registering 87 tackles (five for loss), 10 passes defensed and a team-leading four interceptions…Also served as the Texas A&M's primary kick returner, with 15 kickoff returns for 428 yards (28.5), including a 90-yard return…Had two interceptions against UCLA (9/3/16), including one to end a potential game-winning drive for the Bruins…In his first season with the Aggies, tallied 78 tackles (one for loss), four passes defensed and one interception…Prior to his time at Texas A&M, spent two seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College…As a sophomore (2014), earned second-team all-conference honors after posting 39 tackles and six passes defensed, along with an interception…Made an immediate impact as a freshman (2013), registering 47 tackles, seven passes defensed and five interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns…Recreation, park and tourism sciences major.
PERSONAL – Attended Stone (Wiggins, Miss.) HS…In 2017, visited Lopez Elementary School in Seffner, Fl., to present a $10,000 Fuel Up to Play 60 Hometown Grant, an initiative developed by the NFL to provide grants to support physical activity and nutrition programs in school districts…In 2017, visited patients battling illness at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg to raise their spirits during the holidays…In 2017, toured MacDill Air Force Base to greet servicemen and servicewomen and learn about the important role that the base plays in the Tampa community and beyond…In 2017, went go-karting with first-year members from Tampa Fire Rescue…Born Justin Evans on August 26, 1995.
