T. J. Green

T. J. Green (born March 15, 1995) is an American football safety for the Memphis Showboats of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Clemson, and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Early years

Green attended Sylacauga High School in Sylacauga, Alabama. He played wide receiver and as a senior had nine receiving touchdowns. He committed to Clemson University to play college football.

College career

Green played wide receiver his freshman year at Clemson in 2013, recording two receptions over 12 games. Prior to his sophomore year in 2014, he switched to safety. He played in 11 games with one start and had 18 tackles and an interception. As a junior, he became a starter, recording 95 tackles with a sack. After the season, Green entered the 2016 NFL Draft.

Professional career

Indianapolis Colts

2016

The Indianapolis Colts selected Green in the second round (57th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. He was the third safety selected in 2016.

On May 23, 2016, the Colts signed Green to a four-year, $4.16 million contract that includes $1.87 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $1.23 million.

Throughout training camp, Green competed against Clayton Geathers and Winston Guy for the job as the starting free safety. Head coach Chuck Pagano named Green the backup free safety behind Clayton Geathers to begin the regular season.

He made his professional regular season debut and first career start in the Colts' season-opener against the Detroit Lions and recorded three combined tackles in their 39–35 loss before leaving in the fourth quarter with a sprained ankle. Green earned the start in place of Geathers who was inactive due to a broken bone in his foot he sustained in training camp. The sprained ankle sidelined Green for the Colts' Week 2 loss at the Denver Broncos. In Week 9, Green started at free safety after Mike Adams was inactive due to a groin injury he sustained. He finished the Colts' 31–26 victory at the Green Bay Packers with a season-high six combined tackles. He finished his rookie season with 42 combined tackles (32 solo) and two pass deflections in 15 games and four starts. He finished 91st out of 91 qualifying safeties in Pro Football Focus' overall grade and coverage grade in 2016.

2017

Green entered training camp competing for a job as a backup safety against Clayton Geathers, Matthias Farley, Andrew Williamson, Tyvis Powell, Earl Wolff, Ronald Martin, Lee Hightower, and Tyson Graham. Defensive coordinator Ted Monachino held a competition between Green and Farley for the job as starting strong safety after rookie Malik Hooker sustained numerous injuries during organized team activities and camp. Head coach Chuck Pagano named him the backup strong safety behind Farley to start the regular season.

Prior to Week 8, Green was named the starting free safety after Hooker tore his ACL and MCL the previous week and was placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the season. In his first start of the season, Green recorded four solo tackle during the Colts' 34–23 loss at the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8. On December 14, 2017, Green collected a season-high nine combined tackles during a 25–13 loss to the Broncos. Green finished the season with 45 combined tackles (31 solo) and a pass deflection in 16 games and seven starts. Pro Football Focus gave Green an overall grade of 73.9, ranking 60th among all qualifying safeties in 2017.

2018

On September 1, 2018, Green was waived/injured by the Colts and was placed on injured reserve. He was released on September 6, 2018.

Seattle Seahawks

On October 3, 2018, Green signed with the Seattle Seahawks. On October 22, 2018, Green left the team, citing his lack of desire to play football any more, and planned to retire.

New Orleans Saints

On July 25, 2019, Green signed with the New Orleans Saints. He was waived on August 31, 2019, and was signed to the practice squad the next day. He was promoted to the active roster on December 16, 2019. Three days later Green was waived after the Saints signed safety D. J. Swearinger.

Carolina Panthers

Green was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers on December 19, 2019. He was released on September 5, 2020, and re-signed to the practice squad on September 11. He was released on September 19.

Atlanta Falcons

On September 30, 2020, Green was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster on December 12 for the team's week 14 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, and reverted to the practice squad after the game. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 4, 2021.

On October 25, 2021, Green was released by the Falcons.

Houston Texans

On November 2, 2021, Green was signed to the Houston Texans practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Texans on January 11, 2022. The Texans released Green on March 22, 2022.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

On September 27, 2022, Green was signed to the practice squad of the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was released on October 26, 2022.

Birmingham Stallions

Green was selected by the Arlington Renegades of the XFL in the 10th round of the defensive backs portion of the 2023 XFL Draft, but instead signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League (USFL) on December 16, 2022. He was released by the Stallions on May 3, 2023.

Memphis Showboats

Green signed with the Memphis Showboats of the USFL on May 11, 2023.

NFL career statistics

References

External links

Indianapolis Colts bio

Clemson Tigers bio

{{DEFAULTSORT:Green, T. J.
1995 births
Living people
People from Sylacauga, Alabama
Players of American football from Alabama
American football safeties
Clemson Tigers football players
Indianapolis Colts players
Seattle Seahawks players
New Orleans Saints players
Carolina Panthers players
Atlanta Falcons players
Houston Texans players
Birmingham Stallions (2022) players
Memphis Showboats (2022) players
Saskatchewan Roughriders players
Canadian football defensive backs
Players of Canadian football from Alabama