As the NFL ramped up for the 2020 season we saw a lot of former XFL players get a chance to workout and even get signed by various NFL franchises. We’re two weeks into the NFL season and teams are still looking for more support.
Today, the San Francisco 49ers issued a release that states former Dallas Renegades running back Austin Walter has been signed to their practice squad.
The #49ers have made the following roster moves. https://t.co/MAPPiky7aQ
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 23, 2020
Walter earned All Conference USA honorable mention in 2017 and 2018 after sparking the Owls on offense and special teams throughout his college career. His all-purpose yardage ranked 14th in the nation in 2018 (1,580) and fourth all-time in school history (4,095).
Despite that production, the Crosby native went undrafted in 2019. Following a tryout with the team, he was signed by the 49ers a week later but was waived in August.
The Dallas Renegades picked up Austin Walter during the XFL’s supplemental draft. But, former NFL running backs Lance Dunbar and Cameron Artis-Payne — the league’s fourth-leading rusher — received 82 percent of the team’s carries through the first five weeks of the season.
But just as he had done as a freshman at Rice, Walter made his most pronounced impact on special teams.
THREE TOUCHDOWNS IN THREE PLAYS!
WHAT IS HAPPENING?!
📺 @XFLonFOX
🖥 https://t.co/9f7k2ZoMSA pic.twitter.com/TthrBIY5df— XFL (@XFL2023) March 8, 2020
This is just another example of many on why the XFL worked. We’re looking forward to seeing many more former XFL players get their shot to move on to the NFL. But, when the XFL returns (whenever that may be), we’re hoping to see a lot of familiar faces back in the league as well.
