D.C. Defenders Add Edge Rusher to Training Camp Roster
The D.C. Defenders have signed former Houston Roughnecks linebacker Chauncey Rivers to their training camp roster. D.C. currently has 74 players on their 75-player training camp roster.
The Defenders have roster openings due to the delayed arrival of Mexican All-Star specialist Enrique Yenny and the retirement of offensive lineman Kyle Murphy. Wide receiver Josh Hammond also hung up his cleats when camp commenced, but veteran NFL receiver Keke Coutee has filled his spot.
Rivers, 26, is an edge rusher with a unique playing journey, having started his collegiate career with the Georgia Bulldogs before a dismissal. That started a detour through community college and before landing at Mississippi State, where he was a second-team All-SEC player in 2019.
The 6-2, 259-pound Last Chance U star was undrafted but would sign with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent, making the team's practice squad. Rivers would see game action after being elevated to the main roster.
After being waived by Baltimore the following offseason, he signed with the Green Bay Packers, making their 53-man roster, but after four games played in 2021, he suffered a season-ending torn ACL injury.
A year later, the Houston Roughnecks would select a recovered Rivers in the front seven portion of the XFL Draft.
As a reserve, playing in Wade Phillips's 3-4 defense behind accomplished edge rushers Trent Harris, John Daka and Tim Ward, Rivers would play in 10 games, registering nine tackles and 2.5 sacks.
The Defenders, who play a hybrid defensive scheme under Gregg Williams, have reunited Rivers with his former Roughneck teammates Harris and Ward.
D.C. has stocked up on front-seven players this offseason and will have some tough decisions as UFL teams pare down their rosters from 75 to 57 on March 10 before paring to 50 on March 23.
The Rivers signing was first reported by Michael DelNegro on social media.
The Defenders will open the UFL 2024 season on March 31 (ESPN) where their 2023 championship dreams ended at the Alamodome against the San Antonio Brahmas.
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Mike Mitchell is a pro football writer/insider with decades of experience covering and following multiple leagues. He covers the New York Jets for TheJetPress.com at FanSided. He has also written for XFL Board and at Hub Publishing covering the CFL, XFL and USFL.