DC Defenders WR Josh Hammond has signed an NFL contract with the Denver Broncos, being granted another opportunity in the NFL.
This past season for DC, Josh Hammond had 34 receptions for 331 yards, and a touchdown. He also scored an important touchdown in the 2023 XFL Championship game vs. Arlington Renegades:
Jordan Ta’amu to Josh Hammond for another long touchdown for the #Defenders! 72 yards and just like that D.C. is back in this.#ARLvsDC | #XFL2023pic.twitter.com/wxgc6lAb8O
— XFL Center (@XFLCenter) May 14, 2023
Hammond worked out for the Broncos on July 25, and was brought back to sign in wake of the Jalen Virgil injury suffered in preseason action.
Prior to starting his professional football journey, Hammond played at the University of Florida for four years (2016-2020). Hammond went undrafted following the 2020 NFL Draft, later signing with the Jaguars as a UDFA. Hammond remained on Jacksonville’s practice squad throughout the 2020 and 2021 NFL season, with occasional elevations. He was cut prior to the 2022 season, and would bounce around a few teams before being drafted by the XFL last November.
While he faces an uphill battle, Hammond now has the rare opportunity to get his NFL career back on track in Denver.
As a reminder, if players return to the XFL, they will rejoin their former teams.
Josh Hammond is the ninth DC Defenders player to sign an NFL contract this offseason. He joins a list that currently includes Chris Blair (ATL), Ferrod Gardner (WSH), Lucky Jackson (MIN), Liam Ryan (SEA), Abram Smith (MIN), Brandon Smith (ARI), Jordan Ta’amu (MIN), and Daniel Whelan (GB).
What are your thoughts on Josh Hammond signing with the Denver Broncos? Which XFL player is next? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!
