Chris Payton-Jones (born August 13, 1995) is an
American football
American football (referred to simply as football in the United States and Canada), also known as gridiron, is a team sport played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end. The offense, the team wit ...
cornerback
A cornerback (CB) is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in gridiron football. Cornerbacks cover receivers most of the time, but also blitz and defend against such offensive running plays as sweeps and reverses. They create turnove ...
for the
Seattle Sea Dragons
The Seattle Sea Dragons (formerly known as the Seattle Dragons) are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. The team is a franchise of the new XFL and plays its home games at Lumen Field in Seattle. Originally founde ...
of the
XFL. He played
college football at
Nebraska
Nebraska () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by South Dakota to the north; Iowa to the east and Missouri to the southeast, both across the Missouri River; Kansas to the south; Colorado to the so ...
.
College career
Payton-Jones started 26 games for
Nebraska
Nebraska () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by South Dakota to the north; Iowa to the east and Missouri to the southeast, both across the Missouri River; Kansas to the south; Colorado to the so ...
over the course of three seasons. As a junior, he had three interceptions, 10 pass breakups and 37 tackles, including three for loss and one sack and was named All-
Big Ten
The Big Ten Conference (stylized B1G, formerly the Western Conference and the Big Nine Conference) is the oldest Division I collegiate athletic conference in the United States. Founded as the Intercollegiate Conference of Faculty Representati ...
honorable mention. Payton-Jones missed the first half of his senior season due to a knee injury.
College statistics
Professional career
Detroit Lions
Payton-Jones signed with the
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit. The Lions compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) North Division. The team play their home games at For ...
as an
undrafted free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under contract at present but who is a ...
on April 28, 2018. Payton-Jones failed to make the Lions' 53-man roster at the end of training camp and was waived by the team on September 1, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals
On September 3, 2018, Payton-Jones was signed to the
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Cardinals compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC West, West division, an ...
practice squad. Jones was promoted to the Cardinals' active roster on November 20, 2018. Payton-Jones made his NFL debut on November 25, 2018 against the
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers are a professional American football team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Chargers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) West division, and ...
. He was waived on November 27, 2018 and re-signed to the team's practice squad two days later. He was promoted to the active roster on December 18, 2018.
Payton-Jones made his first career start on September 22, 2019, against the
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers compete in the National Football League (NFL), as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) South division. ...
. Payton-Jones was waived by the Cardinals on October 9, 2019 and re-signed to the practice squad. On November 8, 2019, Payton-Jones was promoted to the active roster.
On September 5, 2020, Payton-Jones was waived during the final roster cuts. He was re-signed to the practice squad a day later.
Detroit Lions (second stint)
On September 16, 2020, Payton-Jones was signed by the
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit. The Lions compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) North Division. The team play their home games at For ...
off the
Cardinals practice squad. He was waived on October 17. He was re-signed on October 21, but waived again on October 24.
Minnesota Vikings
Payton-Jones was claimed off waivers by the
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) North division. Founded in 1960 as an expansio ...
on October 26, 2020.
Tennessee Titans
Payton-Jones signed with the
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) South division, and play their h ...
on April 23, 2021. He was released on September 6, 2021 and re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on November 10, 2021. He was waived on January 4, 2022 and re-signed to the practice squad.
Las Vegas Raiders
Payton-Jones signed as a
free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under contract at present but who is a ...
with the
Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders are a professional American football team based in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The Raiders compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) West divi ...
on June 13, 2022. He was released on August 23, 2022.
Seattle Sea Dragons
On November 17, 2022, Payton-Jones was drafted by the
Seattle Sea Dragons
The Seattle Sea Dragons (formerly known as the Seattle Dragons) are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. The team is a franchise of the new XFL and plays its home games at Lumen Field in Seattle. Originally founde ...
of the
XFL.
References
External links
Las Vegas Raiders bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Payton-Jones, Chris
1995 births
Living people
Sandalwood High School alumni
Players of American football from Jacksonville, Florida
American football cornerbacks
Nebraska Cornhuskers football players
Arizona Cardinals players
Detroit Lions players
Minnesota Vikings players
Tennessee Titans players
Las Vegas Raiders players
Seattle Sea Dragons players